Unwilling to Give Up

When Alexander Hayes came looking for Peony, it caught her completely off guard.

Peony was stunned, her face pale as she watched Alexander Hayes stride in, his expression unreadable.

Suspicious and with her belly sticking out, Peony got up and followed Alexander Hayes to the Lin Residence.

Peony was hesitant, but seeing Alexander Hayes’s serious face, she dared not refuse.

"Sophie, wake up." Alexander Hayes crouched by the bedside and gently called out to Sophie White.

Sophie White blinked, dazed and confused, and called out, "Alex, you're back. Sophie thought you’d just leave like that and never come back for her!"

As Sophie White spoke, she looked sick and muddled, reaching out blindly until she grabbed Alexander Hayes’s wrist.

Standing nearby, Peony took in the whole scene, her eyes flashing with surprise: Who is this beautiful young lady, and why is she so close to the prince? Aside from Princess Consort Lily Evans, Peony had never seen Alexander Hayes be this intimate with any woman. Back when she didn’t recognize Lily Evans, some noblewomen from the capital tried to scheme their way into Alexander’s favor, only to have their hands chopped off by him—since then, no woman dared approach him.

Peony’s mind raced with questions: Was this woman a new concubine? Or some long-lost relative?

Peony had already left the Hayes Family’s Shadow Guard and was now under Princess Consort Lily Evans. Her first instinct was to be vigilant for her mistress’s sake.

Peony silently observed Sophie White, watching her take advantage of her illness to cry and make a fuss, insisting on being recognized as Alexander Hayes’s little sister. Alexander seemed reluctant, but Sophie wouldn’t let up—one moment claiming she was dying, the next leaving behind tearful farewells, causing quite a scene.

Yet, oddly enough, the prince seemed helpless in the face of Sophie White’s theatrics.

Peony’s eyes darted—she was a quick-witted and perceptive woman. Women could always tell: whether someone was a good girl or trouble, Peony could spot it in an instant.

After just a few words, Peony was certain—Sophie White was definitely bad news.

Peony thought to herself that she couldn’t let Sophie White keep pestering them. If the prince softened and really acknowledged her as his sister, Sophie would become half a mistress of the estate—and if she moved in, she’d be impossible to get rid of.

"Ahem…" Peony coughed lightly. Only then did Sophie White look her way, sizing her up. Peony was stunning, but Sophie’s eyes narrowed—she thought Peony had the air of someone from the streets, clearly not a respectable lady. Seeing Peony’s pregnant belly, Sophie sneered inwardly: probably just some bastard child of a courtesan.

It was the first time Sophie White and Peony met, and instantly, both disliked each other.

But neither of them showed it.

Alexander Hayes introduced Peony to Sophie White: “Sophie, this is Peony. She’s skilled in medicine, and as a woman, she can assist Dr. Rowan Lin in treating your injuries. This way, you won’t have any concerns about propriety.”

Sophie White gritted her teeth—she only wanted Alexander Hayes to tend to her wounds himself. That way, they’d have physical contact, and their relationship would be one step closer.

But Sophie White wasn’t about to give up so easily. Staring at Peony’s belly, she said, “Alex, I know you mean well, but Peony is part of the household and is about to give birth. My wounds are bloody and gruesome—if she sees them and gets frightened, it might harm her child. I couldn’t bear that guilt. Alex, I think Peony should go back.”