Little Nina pouted, casting Briony a look of exaggerated exasperation. "Do you really need to ask?"


    Briony was caught off guard.


    "Of course I''d vote for Dad!" Little Nina replied, utterly convinced. "Mr. Ellsworth might be handsome, but he''s just an uncle. If I wanted, I could have lots of handsome uncles in the future, but I only have one dad!"


    Briony was momentarily speechless.


    Little Nina looked up at her, eyes sparkling with mischief, her little voice clear and earnest.


    "Mama, I know you and Dad argued and decided to live apart. But don''t worry-if it came down to a vote between you and Dad, I''d pick you without a second thought! But if it''s Dad versus anyone else, even Godfather versus Dad, I''d always choose Dad."


    James: "..."


    Well, turns out the real clown here is me.


    The video ended there. James put away his phone, shut his eyes, and let out a long, theatrical sigh. "Sweetheart, that hurts. I think you owe me somefort."


    "Huh?" Little Nina nced at James, blinking innocently. "Don''t be sad, Godfather. You''re still a step above Mr. Ellsworth. If it were between you and Mr. Ellsworth, I''d absolutely vote for you!"


    James brightened instantly, feeling vindicated. He thought to himself, I knew all that pampering would pay off!


    "Well then, Godfather feels much better now." He beamed at her, giving her a big thumbs-up. "You''re absolutely right, Little Nina. I''m proud of you!"


    Little Nina giggled. "Of course! I''m way too clever for questions like that to stump me."


    James ruffled her hair affectionately. "Just remember, this was your own choice. So if you grow up and change your mind, you can''t go ming your mom, okay?"


    "Why would I regret it?" Little Nina blinked. "If Dad hadn''t given me those shares, I wouldn''t even have the chance to vote! So of course I should vote for him!"


    "Listen to that logic, that sharp thinking-she''s definitely Stewart''s daughter," James said, ncing at Briony. "What do you think? Maybe she''ll grow up to be awyer, too?"


    Briony gazed at her daughter, her eyes soft with affection.


    Tonight''s conversation left her with the sense that her little girl had grown up a lot, all of a sudden.


    They say daughters inherit their intelligence and temperament more from their fathers. Looking at Little Nina now, Briony had to admit-when it came to brains, her daughter really did take after Stewart.


    She stroked Nina''s hair and said gently, "We''ll see what she''s interested in. Whatever Little Nina chooses, I''ll always support her."


    By now it was half-past nine-time for Little Nina to get ready for bed.


    James said goodnight and headed out.


    Once the door was closed, Briony climbed into bed beside her daughter. "No storybook tonight-how about you just talk with me for a while, Little Nina?"


    "Okay!" Little Nina snuggled into mom''s arms, breathing in herforting scent. “Mom, did you sleep well when I was at Dad''s these past two days?"


    "Honestly? Not really. Without my cuddly Little Nina beside me, I didn''t sleep so well."


    Part of it was to cheer her up-but it was also the truth.


    "In that case, I won''t go to Dad''s anymore."


    Briony was taken aback. She''d never want her daughter to deny herself time with her father just for her sake.


    She kissed Nina''s cheek. "I was teasing, sweetheart. I slept just fine. But I did miss you—that part''s true."


    "I missed you too, Mom!"


    Briony smiled. "Did you have fun at Dad''s?"


    "It was great!" Little Nina''s face lit up. "Dad''s voice is really nice when he reads stories. Little Mario was right!"


    Ever since she''de home, Briony could tell that Nina''s attitude toward Stewart had changed a lot.


    Blood ties run strong. Just two days together, and Little Nina hadpletely warmed up to Stewart as her dad.


    "What do you think of Ms. Riley?"


    "Ms. Riley is awesome!" The mention


    of Lorna made Little Nina perk up "She''s super cool when she fights. Little


    e Mario told me she can take on


    a bunch of people at once and never gets hurt!"


    Briony paused for a moment, thinking. "Does little Mario like Ms. Riley a lot?"


    "I like her too! But she onlyes on Saturdays, and she doesn''t stay very long."


    Briony hesitated, then asked, "And what about your dad?"


    "Dad''s always home. There''s this guy, Uncle Carl Shaw, whoes over every day. Sometimes he and Dad are in the study for ages before theye out, and every time Uncle Carl visits, he brings a ton of books!"