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Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved novel Chapter 206

Selena had been secretly observing that handsome visiting professor from the East for a long time.

The project site of those entomologists was right next to their village, Occasionally, she would go with her sisters, under the guise of delivering local specialties, to strike up a conversation with them.

He always stood nearby, wearing goldrimmed glasses, his clear, almondshaped eyes both distant and gentle

at once.

Her sisters would playfully tease him, but he would only smile faintly and let it

pass.

They all said Professor Turner was a very good person. He didn’t show off his knowledge, disliked lecturing others, and even if something was broken, he would only goodnaturedly advise them not to repeat the mistake.

Even the veteran colleagues on the project team respected and admired this young and diligent professor.

He seemed perfect, but Selena knew his secret.

He hated humans

She had once seen him, unafraid of dirt, intently rescue a butterfly with broken wings from the mud.

She had also witnessed him catch a girl who fell while running; despite smiling and urging her to be careful, he immediately turned around and washed his hands under running water for seven or eight minutes.

Insects, more than humans, resonated with him.

He loved those small creatures; he would stand countless times by a flowing waterfall in the wilderness, spending hours observing the delicate breathing of a cicada.

Yet he would not spend a single second attending to a person’s joys or sorrows.

Many longterm researchers stationed abroad periodically received letters and packages from their hometowns.

However, Archer had never received any.

They said his mother was ill, and his father was accompanying her during her recuperation.

Selena wondered, But during her recovery, couldn’t they spare time to express their thoughts?

She didn’t understand their lack of contact and affection.

Her grandparents loved her deeply. Whenever she lingered in the jungle playing for even an hour, they would bring her younger siblings and noisily search for her.

Selena was intensely curious about this mysterious Professor Turner.

7:17 Mon, Sep 8

Chapter 206

Finally, one day, she struck up a conversation with him.

156 volichis

The research team planned to venture into the jungle to track an orchid mantis resembling orchid petals, and a bored Selena volunteered to be their guide.

As they ventured deeper, others were continually sidetracked by different species, until only she and Archer remained.

The sky changed abruptly.

Heavy rain fell unexpectedly.

She had just recovered from a cold a few days prior and worried about getting sick again upon returning when she saw Archer beside her, completely unfazed by the sudden downpour, casually pulling out an umbrella.

She looked at him in surprise and commented, Professor Turner, you’re so lucky.

Archer just smiled faintly in response, It’s not luck. I just keep it handy out of habit.”

Huh? Why?she asked, subconsciously.

His expression softened, and his gaze, fixed on the torrential rain, became distant. After a brief moment, he answered, Because a long time ago, I missed the chance to give an umbrella to a girl.”

Couldn’t you just give it to her next time?she asked, puzzled.

Archer’s smile held a hint of helplessness and melancholy.

This was the first time Selena saw such an expression on the clever and usually omnipotent professor. She already has someone to hold an umbrella for her,he added.

At that moment, Selena vaguely understood what he meant.

It wasn’t until later, when she hesitated and, by a mere thought, missed out on a boy she truly liked, that she suddenly realized Archer must have also deeply cared for the girl he couldn’t shield from the rain.

At that time, she simply patted his shoulder in comfort and said, It’s okay. At least that girl won’t get wet.

He paused, then smiled, Yes, she will always be fine.

*****

They didn’t find the orchid mantis that day, but they saw a blue morpho butterfly, resplendent and beautiful.

Selena had seen Archer send several packages back home.

She heard they were butterfly specimens he had promised to give to someone.

Archer, usually careless about everything, handled those specimens with the utmost care and personally tied elegant bows on the gift boxes.

7:17 Mon, Sep 8

Chapter 206

Remarkably, every time he sent specimens, their project team would receive a substantial research grant, and the research period would be extended.

Selena once heard someone joke that with such generosity from the investors, they could remain in Nemniba indefinitely.

After several repetitions, Archer stopped sending them.

Until one day, Selena discovered he was gone.

She frantically inquired, only to learn he wasn’t in trouble; he had simply returned to his home country for a very important matter.

Strangely, she immediately worried something had happened to him.

Perhaps it was because his eyes, hidden behind his smile, always seemed weary of the world.

Archer returned quickly.

Encountering him again in the jungle, she happily asked, Professor Turner, have you found your butterfly?They said Professor Turner, who rarely returned home, had gone back last time because there was good news about the butterfly he had been tracking for years.With a relaxed smile, he said, I found her. She found a very suitable habitat and a caretaker.So, congratulations?Thank you.

They said Archer, who rarely returned home, had gone back last time because there was good news about the butterfly he had been tracking for years.

With a relaxed smile, he said, I found her. She found a very suitable habitat and a caretaker.

Selena smiled, So, congratulations?

Thank you,” he replied.

He later resumed his research with full dedication.

He worked tirelessly, fully absorbed in his work.

His connection to the world remained those tiny insects.

Selena thought he would continue like this until one day he collapsed by an unknown stream or ended up in the belly of a large python.

It wasn’t until several years later, when she returned from studying out of town, that she found Archer was again energetically sending out specimens.

She asked him if they were still for the girl as beautiful as a blue morpho butterfly.

He smiled, shook his head, and said they were not, but for a young

friend.

The young friend’s name was Joyce Lesley, and she was his niece.

Mon, Sep 8

Chapter 206

Hearing this, Joyce wondered, How could Professor Turner’s niece have the surname Lisley?’

When Selena was in school, she had also studied foreign literature, learning about kinship in different cultural contexts. She thought, Logically, shouldn’t Joyce have the surname Turner?

But it didn’t matter, because Archer proudly showed them the little girl’s photos and videos.

She was incredibly beautiful and endearing.

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