Chapter 720

John returned to his study and settled into his chair, idly twirling the gold-plated pen on his desk. Earlier, Mina had deliberately steered the conversation away from Harold, diverting it to snake breeding a clear attempt to keep others from worrying about her. Most eight-year-old girls, even precocious ones, might develop fleeting crushes liking one boy today for his looks, another tomorrow for his charm. But Mina was different. Having grown up starved of familial affection, she carried an innate longing for love. When she decided Huan was good and worthy of her affection, she meant it with all her heart. John’s brow furrowed slightly. That was precisely why he had been so stern with Harold earlier. If only Harold hadn’t been so aloof, if he had been more talkative, more expressive Mina might have at least felt the presence of an older brother watching over her. Perhaps then, she wouldn’t have been so easily swayed by Huan’s sweet words. At the thought of Huan, a flicker of cold ange