6:14 pm PD D
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Seven years have passed. Archer’s memory of Natasha’s appearance from back then gradually blurred.
However, he always remembered the heavy rain they watched together, and the side profile of Natasha looking up at the sky under the eaves.
When he saw her at Lane’s funeral, he recognized her almost instantly.
Natasha actually hadn’t changed much in appearance since high school. If anything, she had matured a bit and be more radiant.
Natasha back then was beautiful yet shrouded in gloom.
It once made Archer feel that she might, at some point, be swallowed by the darkness that surrounded her.
Even that brief encounter allowed him to gather a lot of information.
He had seen too many cicada nymphs that failed halfway through hatching. Her growth faced too many obstacles.
She looked at him as if he were a stranger.
He wasn’t surprised.
Back then, he developed skin allergies from outdoor work and always wore a mask during thepetition.
Additionally, they had never exchanged a single word.
Archer asionally wondered what would have happened if he had initiated a conversation with her back then.
Their unfortunate intersections and missed opportunities seemed destined.
When he finally realized he could have taken a step closer, she already had another man in her life.
Alexei was Archer’s cousin in name, but he was actually Archer’s nephew in truth.
Archer was familiar with Alexei’s name.
He had heard of him a long time ago.
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Archer knew that Alexei was exceptionally intelligent, decisive, and ruthless.
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Alexei was like an insurmountable mountain, devoid of emotion or love, looking down on the world with cold indifference.
Archer found it surprising that Alexei and Natasha got together.
When Archer’s parents fully disclosed his background to him, Minerva once asked him if he wanted to fight for control of the Turner family.
Her rare maternal love was represented by not forcing Archer to step into the Turner family’s hotbed of trouble.
Minerva believed her hatred could end with her generation, so she left the choice of the
future to Archer.
If he refused, she would respect his decision.
But if he wanted to get involved in this murky situation, she would not object.
Winning or losing was not important to her.
She just liked to see the Turner family more embarrassed and miserable.
Just like that year when she touched her father’s body after hemitted suicide by jumping, it was icy cold and putrid.
Avery patted Archer’s shoulder, indicating that if he wanted to join thepetition, they would give their all for him.
Perhaps there was a misunderstanding about Archer’s identity before, but over twenty years of interaction created a bond between Avery and Archer.
People were emotional. Regardless of any past grievances or entanglements, they would always be father and son, no matter who Archer’s biological father was.
What was important was that Avery would always follow Minerva’s guidance.
By the time Archer entered the Turner family, he had already made up his mind.
When he first saw Natasha, who had brieflye into his life, at the funeral, he had a fleeting few seconds of wavering.
But that scene by the pond solidified his resolve.
6:14 <b>pm </b>PD
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The bond between Alexei and Natasha was so intense that no one coulde between them.
Before Archer arrived, he had heard Minerva and Avery’s analysis of the Turner family members, naturally knowing some of Alexei’s past.
After realizing Natasha wasn’t afraid of gossip and had angrily confronted Lucia to defend Alexei, he clearly understood that his presence was meaningless.
He did not doubt that Natasha would handle any unwanted romantic interests, even before Alexei needed to intervene.
This was Natasha’s unique way of providing absolute security to her loved one.
Archer gave a bitter smile. Such favoritism was truly enviable.
Back in Scrushire, after Natasha was abandoned, while waiting for the rain to stop, she took out a medal, patted herself on the shoulder, and told herself with a smile, “Natasha, you are truly amazing.”
At that time, he thought she was very good at loving herself.
But seven yearster, he discovered she was also very good at loving others.
Despite being a girl whocked love, her affection was more sincere, fervent, and admirable than anyone else’s.
Alexei’s early life might have been difficult, but he was truly fortunate to have met Natasha.
Archer shook his head, wondering if he could find even a tiny opening in their rtionship.
*****
Archer said, “Three dayster, my mother will travel to Nornytaar for an artificial heart transnt. I will leave with them.”
Hearing Archer’s words, Natasha nced at him with suspicion.
She thought, ‘Is he talking to me?‘
Being polite, she nodded. “That’s good.”
He added, “Once her surgery ispleted with sess, I will travel to Arnatar on my own to search for the unique tropical rainforest morpho butterflies there.”
A hint of confusion appeared in Natasha’s eyes. She though, ‘Wait, didn’t we just meet? Why is he having a thorough conversation with me?
6:14 pm PD
‘Why would he tell me his ns?‘
However, she keenly picked up on something.
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Archer was going abroad to continue his insect research, so that meant he was giving up on fighting for the control of the Turner family.
Alexei had mentioned that Edgar would not reim what was originally taken from Avery but would likely leave a substantial fortune topensate them.
However, Archer didn’t say he wouldn’t take the money.
Natasha thought, ‘Never mind. Having one less person in thepetition, who has an unclear attitude, seems to have no downside for Alexei.
‘If there’s no downside, then…‘
She said, “That’s good. Good luck with your journey.”
Archer smiled helplessly. He watched Alexei, approaching from the dining room, who had personally brought cake and grapefruit juice while avoiding the servants.
As he drew near, Archer suddenly raised his voice and said with augh, “When I return, I’ll bring you butterfly specimens from Arnatar.”
Natasha was confused.
Watching Archer leave after speaking, she waspletely bewildered.
She thought, ‘We only talked for a little bit. Is it necessary for him to bring me a gift?
‘With so many people in the Turner family, he’d wipe out all the varieties of butterflies over there if he wanted to bring one as a gift for everyone here.’
She was amused by her own thoughts.
“Why are you so happy?” An eerie, low male voice sounded in her ear.
Natasha was startled.
She turned and amusingly patted the chest of Alexei, bending over behind her chair. “Why did you walk so silently?”
Alexei ced the tray on the table, took the flower from her hand, his voice tinged with jealousy and simmering resentment. “You were too busy chatting happily with other men to
notice me arrive.”
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Natasha thought, ‘Chatting happily?
‘Not really.‘
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But seeing his handsome, jealous face, she thought for a moment and then exined very earnestly, “No, we didn’t talk much, and I wasn’t excited at all.
“I only smiled because I imagined him having to bring a lot of butterfly specimens for everyone in the Turner family.”
Alexei’s expression didn’t soften.
He scoffed inwardly, ‘Specimens? Why doesn’t he turn himself into a specimen?‘
A man would always know what another man was thinking.
But Natasha clearly didn’t realize it, so Alexei wouldn’t be so foolish as to help his rival show his affection.
He masked the shadow in his eyes and pushed the cake in front of Natasha, saying, “Don’t eat too much, or you won’t have room for dinnerter.”
“I can just eat less dinner.”
“And then you’ll be hungry in the middle of the night and make me get up to cook he said with a hint of a smile.
Natasha thought, ‘Well, some things are better left unsaid.
Alexei yfully pinched her face.
After a moment, he still couldn’t hold it in.
you food?”
With deep, dark eyes, he stared at her, her cheeks puffed out. “So, what did you talk about before I arrived?”
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