Cleansed Reputation

Sophie White was escorted back to the prison, personally guarded by Sean Hayes.

Meanwhile, news that Princess Lily Evans herself had judged the White Family demon spread like wildfire throughout the Capital and its surrounding areas.

Outside the Ministry of Justice, long lines formed as the families of the victims rushed to sign up, eager to take part in the execution three days later.

Many citizens traveled from afar, hoping to witness the execution of Sophie White, that notorious demon, with their own eyes.

The entire Capital was shaken by the case. Princess Lily Evans’s reputation instantly changed from a feared child-killer to a symbol of justice who stood up for the people.

The streets buzzed with praise for Princess Lily Evans. Everyone agreed her judgment was fair, and that a monster like Sophie White deserved to be handed over to the victims’ families for a thousand cuts, to comfort the souls of the innocent children lost.

After finishing matters at the Ministry, Lily Evans returned to the Prince of Qin's Manor.

Although Sophie White had been sentenced and was awaiting execution in three days, and Lily Evans’s name had been cleared—no one called her a blood-sucking demon anymore—Lily still couldn’t feel happy at all.

Lily reclined on the couch, her expression listless and utterly exhausted.

No matter how you looked at it, those fifty-four innocent children lost their lives because Sophie White wanted to harm Lily. Lily’s heart was heavy with grief—even if Sophie White died, those innocent children could never come back.

Lily Evans sat alone in her room, not bothering to light a lamp. She remained there until darkness fell and Belle quietly pushed the door open.

"Princess, why haven’t you lit the lamp?" Belle glanced at Lily’s pale face, then went to light it herself.

"It’s nothing. I was just thinking about some things." Lily Evans forced a smile at Belle.

Belle sat down beside Lily Evans to keep her company. "I heard about Sophie White’s case. Princess, you let the victims’ families carry out the execution themselves."

"Mm..." Lily nodded softly. "All that pent-up hatred and grief needed an outlet. You and I are both mothers—we know children are a parent’s entire world. Sometimes I close my eyes and think, if someone killed my Charlie... I’d truly want to cut that person into a thousand pieces myself."

Belle nodded. "You did the right thing, Princess. When I was a girl, I didn’t understand, but now as a mother, I know a child is a parent’s very heart. If anyone hurt my Connor, I’d want to skin them alive. Giving Sophie White to those families was the best justice."

After talking with Belle for a while, Lily’s mood lightened a little. She asked, "Did you put Charlie and Connor together again today?"

Belle smiled. "Yes, the boys are about the same age. It’s good for them to grow up together as companions."

"It really is nice to have a companion. Look at Peony’s twins—a brother and sister, raised together since birth. They always have each other." Lily thought of her son and suddenly missed Charles Hayes so much that she stood up, ready to go see the children with Belle.

Just as Lily stepped out the door, she saw Alexander Hayes standing outside, looking as if he’d been waiting there for a long time.

"Why don’t you come in, Your Highness?" Lily met Alexander’s gaze.

Alexander Hayes lowered his eyes. "You’ve just returned from the Ministry of Justice..."

Lily Evans nodded, her voice gentle. "Yes, I’m back. The case is closed. You must have heard about it, right?"

"I’ve heard," Alexander Hayes nodded, his face shadowed. "Are you going to see Charlie? Go on."