Chapter 478

Jane sat in the hotel restaurant, her short legs swinging playfully as she watched her three older brothers eagerly pile food into her bowl with doting expressions. She could understand Brother Lucas and Brother Jordan behaving this way. But seeing her eldest brother—usually the epitome of noble composure, exuding quiet authority even in his gentlest moments—now fawning over her like this was downright hilarious. Keeping a straight face, Jane nibbled on a shrimp he had peeled for her. In her tiny, milky voice, she feigned sternness. "Big Brother, Brother Lucas has to write a self-reflection when we get back, and Brother Jordan has to till the vegetable patch and dig up worms for Sister Mina. So what are you going to do for me, huh?" John gazed at the little rascal putting on her bossy act and couldn't resist ruffling her soft hair affectionately. "Big Brother has been improving his cooking skills lately. How about I cook for you all for an entire day when we get home?" The little girl's obsidian-like eyes sparkled with mischief as she gave him a knowing look. "Your cooking skills actually improved? Did Sister Nana teach you?" John's ears tinged pink as he watched her raise a teasing eyebrow at him. "Ahem..." He cleared his throat awkwardly, furrowing his brows in mock sternness. "Little ones shouldn't ask so many questions!" "I'm not little," Jane muttered under her breath. Just then, Frederick entered the hotel restaurant. Lucas stood up. "Jane, you go ahead and eat. Brother Lucas has something to take care of I'll be right back." John, Jordan, and Samuel exchanged glances before rising as well, following Lucas toward Frederick. Though they had already questioned Jane, the fact that Frederick had spent so much time alone with her left them uneasy. They needed to verify his story firsthand. After all, while Jane remained oblivious to Frederick's wolfish ambitions, the others saw right through him. Watching her four brothers lead Frederick away, Jane shook her head slightly and let out a helpless sigh. Mina slung an arm over her shoulder, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Jane, I think your authority's in serious trouble. The brothers claim they trust you, but look they're still interrogating Frederick. What do you say we teach them a harsher lesson? Show them just how formidable you really are!" No sooner had the words left her mouth than Harold rapped her sharply on the head. "Mina, are you trying to stir up trouble?" Clutching her skull with both hands, Mina shot him a venomous glare. "Harold, if you hit me again, I swear I'll go find Little Mute!" Harold drew a deep breath, but before he could retort, a warm, amused voice cut in. "Were you looking for me, Mina?" Harold's fists clenched as he turned to see Huan approaching them. Without hesitation, he hopped down from his chair and strode over, stopping right in front of the taller boy. "Huan, come with me. There's something I need to say to you." Huan glanced down at Harold, who barely reached his chest but stood with unshakable confidence. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright." Bryan watched, dumbfounded, as Huan followed Harold away. Meanwhile, John and the others still hadn't returned with Frederick. Sighing, he turned to his two younger sisters. "Well, it's just the three of us now. Listen, Mina, Jane don't ever pick up their bad habits. Always scheming, always suspecting others, seeing enemies everywhere. Look at me I treat everyone with sincerity, and in return, I'm surrounded by good people!" Mina cast a thoughtful glance toward the direction her brothers and Frederick had gone, then another at the path Harold and Huan had taken. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with sudden realization as she leaned in close to whisper mysteriously to Jane, "Jane, do you think maybe our brothers noticed something off between Frederick and Huan while watching the livestream? That's why they separated them for private talks?" Jane watched Mina's increasingly animated expression and slapped her own forehead in exasperation, debating whether to even engage in this conversation. But before she could respond, their younger brother Bryan sidled up curiously. "Mina, what's going on with Frederick and Huan? What do you mean something's off?" Mina immediately pulled Bryan into a conspiratorial huddle. "Let me tell you something..." The muscles around Bryan's eyes visibly twitched as his face contorted into an indescribable expression of discomfort. "Those two... no way..." Mina gave his shoulder an encouraging pat. "Trust my instincts on this one, little bro. I'm never wrong about these things!" Bryan: "......" How come he hadn't noticed even the slightest hint of that kind of vibe between Frederick and Huan? Meanwhile, in another room, Harold stood with stern composure, his young face set in grim seriousness as he confronted Huan. "Huan, do you have feelings for Mina?" "Yes." The answer came without hesitation. "Then I suggest you keep your distance from her." Harold's expression darkened like gathering storm clouds. Huan nodded calmly. "I understand. I came to say goodbye. From now on... at least until Mina turns eighteen, I won't contact her alone." Harold studied Huan, the wariness in his eyes easing slightly. "Thank you." "You're a good brother you want to protect Mina, and so do I." Huan's voice was earnest. "You have my word: now or in the future, I would never do anything to hurt her." "Please tell Mina and Jane goodbye for me. I won't say it to them myself. Goodbye." As Harold watched Huan walk away, the last of his defenses finally melted. He was her brother; protecting his sister was his duty. But if Huan kept his promise today, and if fate truly brought him and Mina together someday, Harold wouldn’t mind having someone else by his side to watch over her. By the time Harold returned to the dining table, John and his brothers had already come back. Even Frederick was seated with them, though the atmosphere at the table was... undeniably tense. Eager to break the awkward silence, Mina perked up the moment she saw Harold. "Harold, where’s Brother Huan?" The momentary relief on Harold’s face from Huan’s earlier understanding instantly darkened again, plunging the room into an even heavier silence. Jane sighed inwardly and decided to salvage the situation. "Brother Lucas, did they catch Aubree’s parents?" Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "They’ve been apprehended. National Security took them, along with Aubree and Peter." But after that brief exchange, the table lapsed back into an uneasy quiet. The four brothers glared at Brother Frederick with eyes as sharp as icicles. Jane was getting annoyed. She slapped her tiny palm on the table with a loud "smack!" "Brothers, what on earth are you doing? Didn't you all say before that you'd treat Brother Frederick like your own flesh and blood?" Her voice trembled with frustration as she continued, "Brother Frederick has no family left he's all alone in this world. As his neighbors, we should be showing him more kindness. But instead, you act like he's some kind of thief, always keeping him at arm's length!" Her big eyes welled up with indignation. "Don't you realize how much this hurts Brother Frederick's feelings?" Seizing the moment, Frederick immediately put on a pitiful expression, gazing at Jane with puppy eyes. "You're the only one who truly cares about me, Jane." His voice carried just the right note of wounded vulnerability.