Chapter 8 The Arrogant Julian

A few heartfelt messages were sent out. At that moment, within a condominium in Hofcaster, Zinnia was in a daze as she read the messages from Torin. She had waited for Torin for several years, harboring no regrets in her heart. However, Torin's words were deeply hurtful. She was devastated and thought of giving up, agreeing to her father's request to marry into the Mercer family. However, she regretted her decision not long after. She couldn't forget Torin, the man who had risked everything to save her, wielding a brick as his only weapon. Nor could she forget the Torin who would drive hundreds of kilometers every weekend just to visit her at school. With a soft sigh, Zinnia picked up her phone, ready to call Torin. Just then, the door was opened from the outside. Two men, dressed in black, walked in. Upon seeing them, Zinnia was taken aback and asked, “Who are you?” The man in black spoke coldly. “We're under Mr. Julian's orders. He sent us to keep an eye on you to prevent you from wandering.” Zinnia was both shocked and furious. “What gives him the right to control me? Get out, or I'm calling the cops!” One of the men in black sneered, “Call the police? The top brass at the station is the sworn brother of Mr. Julian. Do you really think calling the police would do any good? Ms. Lindgren, you must stay in this room until Mr. Julian arrives!” In a rush, Zinnia dialed Torin's number, intending to call him for help. However, the man in black swiftly snatched her phone away before she could make the call. He spoke in a chilling tone. “During this period, you are not allowed to communicate with anyone, including your family. Oh, by the way, Mr. Julian will be here soon to consummate the marriage with you in advance.” Despair washed over Zinnia as she slumped helplessly onto the couch, tears streaming down her face. Torin, where are you? At that moment, Torin was unaware that Zinnia had been taken captive. He was anxiously waiting for her call, but as night fell, his phone remained eerily silent. He let out a long sigh, murmuring to himself, “Looks like she still won't forgive me.” Yvette asked, “Uncle Torin, are you waiting for Ms. Lindgren's call?” The “Ms. Lindgren” she was referring to was none other than Zinnia. During the years when Torin was away, Zinnia visited and took care of Yvette every day. When she was unable to come, she arranged for a nanny to look after Yvette. The living expenses of the Yelton family over these years were also borne by Zinnia. Without her, Silas and Yvette's lives would have been miserable. Torin nodded. “Yvette, Ms. Lindgren's still upset with me. After you finish eating, I'll go apologize to her.” Yvette chuckled. “Uncle Torin, Ms. Lindgren's a kind person. She will surely forgive you.” The girl was young, yet she understood everything. Torin prepared a simple meal for Silas and Yvette. However, he himself had no appetite. At half past seven, he got ready to go and find Zinnia, intending to apologize to her in person. As he stepped out of the door, Tyga and Dante were still kneeling at the doorway. Finding them an eyesore, he said dismissively, “You can leave now!” Tyga and Dante, relieved, staggered away with the support of their family members. Half an hour later, Torin arrived at the condominium. To gain entry, an access card was required, which he did not possess. Consequently, he could only wait outside, prepared to blend in and follow someone else inside. Meanwhile, on the fifth floor of the condominium, a man in his mid-twenties pushed open the door to a room. The man had narrow eyes and pale skin. His eyebrows were faint, almost entirely gone. He wasn't tall and exuded a gloomy air. As soon as the man entered, he gave a wave of his hand. The two men in black nodded in response, turning to exit the room. As they did, they locked the door from the outside. Startled, Zinnia leapt up like a rabbit, her face filled with fear. “Julian Mercer, don't you dare mess with me,” she warned. “My boyfriend is a martial arts ex. If you lay a finger on me, he won't let you off!” With narrowed eyes, Julian said, “Zinnia, your good-for-nothing boyfriend is still rotting in jail, isn't he? Do you really think threatening me with him is going to work?” Julian was a senior at Zinnia's university. When Zinnia was a freshman, he was a senior. Back then, Zinnia was the belle of the campus, with countless admirers. After Julian laid eyes on her just once, he was immediately awestruck. Consequently, he began to ardently pursue Zinnia. However, Zinnia only had eyes for Torin and wasn't interested in any other man, be it wealthy heirs or city officials. Julian, who was repeatedly rejected, was quite irritated. Upon discovering that Zinnia was also from Hofcaster, he had his elders persuade the Lindgren family to let him marry Zinnia. Upon hearing that the heir of the Mercer family had taken a liking to Zinnia, the Lindgren family was naturally overjoyed, especially Zinnia's grandmother. She immediately agreed to the marriage proposal. Zinnia was angered by her family members, who disregarded her wishes. She stormed out of the house and moved in with Torin, leaving Julian's hopes dashed once again. Even though several years had passed, Julian still couldn't get over Zinnia. After all, the things one can't have always seem the most desirable. Julian's eyes emitted a deep, mysterious glow as he steadily advanced toward Zinnia. Retreating continuously, Zinnia suddenly grabbed a fruit knife from the table, pointing the blade at her own neck. Her voice trembled as she warned, “If you come any closer, I'll take my own life!” Julian continued walking, his voice icy as he said, “Take your own life? Fine by me. I don't mind sleeping with your dead body as long as it's still warm.” Despair washed over Zinnia as she watched Julian draw nearer and nearer. The thought of Torin's indifference toward her sent tears streaming down her face like rain. Gradually, her grip on the knife tightened. Clang! The door suddenly swung open, and Julian was livid. He whipped his head around and bellowed, “Who told you to come in?” However, the moment he saw the newcomer, he was taken aback. It wasn't his subordinate who entered, but Torin. The two bodyguards outside the door stood frozen in place, not daring to move an inch. Zinnia was taken aback. What is Torin doing her? Torin glanced around, his gaze turning icy. With a slight lift of his left hand, Julian grunted, his legs buckling as he knelt on the ground, his body numb and immobile. Ignoring Julian, Torin approached Zinnia. He stared into her eyes, his gaze filled with guilt. Gently, he took the knife from Zinnia's hand and said, “Zinnia, I'm sorry! I've wronged you!” His apology sent a wave of relief and sorrow washing over Zinnia, causing her to pound her fists against Torin's chest before throwing herself into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably. “I'm sorry.” Torin held her tightly, taking in her long-lost scent and tearing up. “You have no idea how hard these past two years have been for me. You heartless man! How could you speak to me like that? I hate you!” Zinnia exclaimed, suddenly biting down hard on Torin's shoulder, leaving a deep bite mark. Torin admitted without so much as a grimace. “It's my fault.” Then he asked, “Who is he?” Zinnia clung tightly to Torin's sturdy figure, unwilling to let go. “Julian, he's the man my grandmother has set me up with. She's been pressuring me to marry him.” Torin remembered that it was because of Julian that Zinnia had run away from home. Julian couldn't move but was still able to speak. He glared daggers at Torin, saying, “So you're Torin? Brat, don't get cocky. I'll have you back in prison soon and make your life a living hell!” Torin narrowed his eyes. He turned to stare at Julian. “Back in prison? So, you're implying that you were the one who framed me and put me behind bars years ago?” Julian was taken aback, realizing he had let slip something he shouldn't. Yet, on second thought, he felt there was no harm in admitting it. So, with a huff, he snapped, “That's right. I did it! But what can you do about it?”