Chapter 11
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On the way to the Sinclair family villa, Zina immersed herself recalling her time in prison, unaware of who the driver was.
At the gate, she stepped out calmly and walks inside. Meanwhile, Kellan, passing by in his car, spotted her and instinctively followed her in.
Inside the Sinclair villa, Rosie clung sweetly to Kyle, hinting that their marriage should be finalized now that the Sinclair family stock had risen.
“Kyle, what’s really going on with Master Carter?” she said, voice dripping with sugar. “The Sinclair family’s stock has gone up so much lately. We should really move forward with our wedding.”
But Kyle didn’t seem to be listening to Rosie at all. He frowned, only glancing at her when mentioning the stock.
“We’ll hold off on the wedding,” he muttered. “Kellan’s back, and I can’t even get an audience with Grandpa. The Carter family isn’t mine yet–surely you’re smart enough to see that.”
TH
“Alright.” Rosie looked a little sulky at first, but his words seemed to soothe her. She snuggled closer to Kyle and murmured, “You’ll still love me, right? You won’t… change your mind just because Zina came back?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Kyle snapped, his jaw tight as he thought of Zina crashing his engagement party. “She’s just insane. She’s nothing compared to you.”
“Wow. Guess I showed up just in time to see this gross little scene,” drawled a voice from the doorway.
Everyone froze, then turned as Zina sauntered in, a lazy smirk on her face. Her eyes swept the room before landing squarely on Kyle. She studied his face–the same one she once thought kind–and let out a little scoff.
‘How the hell did I ever think you were decent?‘ thought Zina. You’re just a pathetic leech in a suit.‘
Kyle met her gaze, snorted, and sneered, “What are you doing here? Fresh out of prison and already shameless enough to show up?”
“God, you never shut up, do you?” Zina muttered, rubbing her ear before glancing at Kevin.
“You brat!” Kevin barked, jabbing a finger at her, practically spitting with rage. “You ruined Rosie’s engagement party–isn’t that enough? Now you show your face here?”
Trying to act like the big man, he shot a look at Linda. “Who let her in? Linda, call security and throw her out! She’s not part of this family anymore.”
“Go ahead. I dare you.” Zina’s voice cut through the room like a knife.
Everyone froze. Her cold smile widened, dripping with contempt.
“That’s more like it,” she said softly. “Be good little dogs and stay in line.”
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Her words hung in the air, sharp and heavy, leaving the whole Sinclair family standing there, humiliated, their faces drained of color like she’d just stomped their pride into the dirt.
“Zina, is this how you were raised? Now you dare to act up at home!” Kevin stormed toward Zina, trembling with fury.
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22:42 Mon, Aug 4
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Chapter 11
Just as his hand was about to strike, Zina lifted her chin and raised a hand, casily blocking him.
“You’re getting old,” she mocked. “Keep flailing around like this and your brittle bones might give out.”
Then she turned her cold gaze to Rosie. “And you, Rosie,” she sneered. “Addicted to playing the victim? If you like scumbags so much, why don’t you just go live with the scums?”
Her eyes swept disdainfully over Kyle again. “And you–ugly and shameless–what makes you think you deserve even a second of my attention?”
Her words landed like sharp knives, cutting through the silence. Kevin was left red–faced and sputtering.
“Get out, you brat!” He barked. “You’re shaming the Sinclair family!”
“Funny,” Zina shot back coolly. “You’re the ones disgracing it. Stop trying to use big words you don’t understand.”
The room fell silent under her icy glare. Satisfied, Zina added lightly, “Relax. I’m just here to pick up a few things. No need to look so scared.”
Without waiting for a response, she headed upstairs–toward what was technically her room. In reality, it was just a cramped, musty storage closet.
Ever since Rosie had “come home,” even though there were plenty of empty rooms in the villa, Zina hadn’t been allowed a proper space.
Whenever she complained about the mold and smell, Rosie would cry about her own “suffering” until Kevin and Avery hardened their stance. So Zina learned to stop asking.
Now she stood in that small room, lips pressed tight as she searched through the mess. In the end, she came back downstairs. carrying only a single notebook.
Rosie, as if forgetting everything that had just happened, sneered. “All that fuss just for a worthless notebook? Figures. Trash suits you.”
Zina smiled faintly. “You’re right. Trash belongs in the trash heap, just as you do.”
“How dare you!” Rosie’s face flushed crimson as she finally registered the insult. “That’s our property. You’re not one of us anymore–you’re stealing!”
Zina let out a low laugh. “Oh? Is your name written on it? Or any Sinclair’s?”
“Everything you use belongs to the Sinclair family!” Kevin finally thought he had her cornered, puffing himself up.
Zina paused–just long enough for them to mistake it for guilt. “You’re not taking anything from this house.” Kevin barked triumphantly. “Now get out!”
He thought he’d finally avenged his humiliation at the hotel. But before he could bask in victory, his outstretched hand was suddenly twisted back in an unnatural, painful angle…
