Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 171

Landon looked at her with a calm, unreadable gaze. “Go back and do what you’re supposed to do.”

Noelle’s face drained of color in an instant.

In the end, Juniper had to drag her away.

In the reception room, the remaining hospital executives quietly made their exit, leaving only Elijah, Jessica, Zinnia, Zane, Landon, and Zephyr.

“Zane, weren’t you on vacation in New Zealand? What brings you back so suddenly?” Zephyr asked.

Winters in Veridian City were notoriously harsh, and every year, Zane would escape to the southern hemisphere to avoid the cold.

At Zephyr’s question, Zane shot a frosty glance at his own disappointing grandson. “Some thick-headed idiot managed to infuriate me enough to cut my holiday short.”

Some thick-headed idiot?

Landon awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose, staying silent.

Zane’s expression softened as he turned to Zinnia, a genial smile replacing his earlier scowl. “Zinnia.”

At the sound of his voice, Zinnia hurried over. “Grandpa.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”

Zinnia froze, then quickly shook her head. “No, really, I’m fine. I haven’t suffered at all.”

Others might not understand, but she knew the truth.

Landon owed her nothing beyond the responsibilities laid out in their agreement.

Even if she was the one who got hurt in this marriage, it was her own choice—hers to bear.

That was why, no matter how cruel Landon’s actions seemed to outsiders, she never once complained to him or anyone else.

Zinnia listened to Zane’s rebuke, a bittersweet ache stirring in her chest.

She’d always thought of herself as clear-headed. Even when Landon’s indifference stung, she accepted it—after all, she’d signed up for this. So she endured in silence.

But now, hearing Zane scold Landon, seeing her pain acknowledged for the first time, all the feelings she’d kept bottled up suddenly came surging to the surface.

Her nose tingled, a sharp ache making her want to cry.

Zane, seeing his grandson finally accepting the lecture, allowed his expression to soften.

“Don’t worry, Zinnia. As long as I’m here, if the Jensen family can’t handle this properly, I’ll take care of it myself.”

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Zinnia replied politely.

After that, Zane suggested they all have lunch together, but Elijah and Jessica declined. Their lab was still racing against the clock, and they’d already squeezed their schedules to be here. Now, they had to hurry back.