The Eighth Young Lady of Shunning Marquis Manor had become the key figure in the case, but the High Court bailiffs searched the entire manor and still couldn’t find her. With night falling, even if the Chief Justice wanted to continue questioning, there was nothing he could do.
The Chief Justice knew that the first twelve hours after Lydia’s disappearance were crucial. If she wasn’t found within that time, a young girl like her would likely meet a grim fate. But everyone had been sitting here from morning till night, not even taking a break for lunch—surely they couldn’t skip dinner as well.
Prince Nolan and Serena Feng were young enough to endure, but the Grand Protector and Grand Preceptor were clearly exhausted; seeing their weary faces, no one dared to keep questioning. As for whether Lydia could be found alive after twelve hours, no one cared anymore.
Clara’s death and Lydia’s disappearance were both matters of Shunning Marquis Manor. If the scandal didn’t blow up and the Suttons didn’t report it to the authorities, it would be treated as a private family affair. The rule of ‘if the people don’t report, the officials don’t investigate’ had become the norm.
After questioning the last member of the Chen family, the Chief Justice finally let out a heavy sigh and prepared to adjourn, when a bailiff rushed in to report: Prince Titus of Lyndaria was outside, and he had brought the person they were looking for.
There was no need to guess who that person was. The Chief Justice, ignoring his fatigue, quickly ordered Prince Titus to be brought in. After today’s questioning, it was clear that the Eighth Young Lady was no ordinary girl. No one knew what Prince Titus had managed to extract from her; if he’d uncovered any of Shunning Marquis Manor’s dirty secrets, it would disgrace the entire Eastlyn Empire.
Prince Titus entered in simple Lyndarian court dress, his bearing so upright and dignified that no one would ever guess he’d once been crippled and unable to walk.
Prince Titus’s manners were impeccable. After a few polite exchanges, he handed over the Sutton Eighth Young Lady, then withdrew to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Such tactful behavior from Prince Titus greatly pleased the assembled elders, who privately thought he was far more composed than Lyndaria’s Crown Prince Terrence.
The Sutton Eighth Young Lady was trussed up like a rice dumpling. Prince Titus’s men dumped her onto the courtroom floor and walked off without another word.
Serena had never seen the girls of Shunning Marquis Manor before. In her imagination, the Sutton Sixth Young Lady must have been gentle on the surface but strong within, while the Sutton Eighth Young Lady was just a simple, ordinary girl. But seeing them today, she realized how wrong she was.
The Sutton Eighth Young Lady's eyes were wild and vicious, her whole body shrouded in a gloomy, poisonous aura—like a snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. That faint smile at the corner of her lips was nothing but repulsive. Curled up on the floor, she inspired not an ounce of pity, only wariness and disgust.
Is this really the Sutton Eighth Young Lady? The one the Sixth Young Lady endured so much humiliation to protect? Serena looked doubtful, glancing at Prince Nolan for confirmation. Prince Nolan nodded and silently mouthed two words: 'Tianyu.'
That meant this wasn't Lydia's usual self—Prince Titus of Lyndaria had used harsh methods to force her true nature out. Anyone who could hide from him wasn't simple at all.
Serena finally understood, nodding to herself. Otherwise, with Lydia looking like this, even the most foolish Sixth Young Lady wouldn't have sacrificed herself for her.
No one knew what torment Lydia had suffered at Prince Titus’s hands. All they knew was that the interrogation that followed went eerily smoothly—Lydia answered every question asked of her.
The High Court Chief Justice asked, “Do you know how your elder sister died?”
The Sutton Eighth Young Lady let out a shrill, grating laugh. “Of course I know. That idiot was afraid Second Master and Third Young Master would ruin my purity, so she staged a suicide, hoping to use outsiders to keep me clean.”
The mockery in Lydia's eyes was so blatant that even standing far away, the High Court Chief Justice could see her contempt and coldness.
Was this really a fourteen-year-old girl?
Even elders like the Grand Protector and Grand Preceptor, who had seen countless storms, felt a chill. They sensed this Sutton Eighth Young Lady was far from ordinary, and her next words made their blood run colder still.
“That idiot thought she could protect me? Hmph, what a joke. She was just a fool I toyed with, dreaming of saving me. It’s good she’s dead—too bad I lost a fun plaything.”
Lydia's regretful tone made Serena shiver from the depths of her heart. “You treated the Sixth Young Lady as a toy?”
Serena was certain now—the Sutton Eighth Young Lady had a severe psychological disorder. Her expression was nearly twisted.
“What else could she be but a toy? She was so stupid she couldn’t even tell right from wrong, and still wanted to protect me. It was me who incited Second Master and Third Young Master to rape her, and I told them to use me as leverage. That way, she’d obediently become their exclusive plaything.”
You see how right I was? For six years, I watched her fake a smile in front of me, watched her pretend to be happy when I praised Second Master and Third Young Master. She could only force a smile, and that made me happy. Seeing her live in pain every day—that made me even happier.
Hahaha... Whenever she wanted to die, I’d cry in front of her and say Second Master or Third Young Master came to see me, even hugged me. Then she’d grit her teeth and keep living, pretending to be pure and flawless all day long in front of me, as if I didn’t know all her dirty secrets.” Lydia’s face was full of disdain, her eyes bloodshot. Her words came out in scattered fragments, but everyone understood her meaning.
For a moment, Serena felt the girl before her was a true monster—her psychological illness was so severe, it bordered on madness.
“Why?” Serena couldn’t understand—what kind of environment could twist a young girl to this extent?
Lydia arrogantly pursed her lips. “Don’t you think it’s fun watching someone on the verge of madness pretend everything’s fine? My Sixth Sister said she wanted to protect me, take Mother’s place and look after me. I just gave her what she wanted—if she wanted to protect me, I let her do it. As long as she obediently became Second Master and Third Young Master’s exclusive plaything, wasn’t that protecting me?”
“Don’t you feel guilty?” Serena knew the Sutton Eighth Young Lady had a severe psychological disorder. Reasoning with her was pointless, but she couldn’t help asking.
If the Sutton Sixth Young Lady knew that the sister she sacrificed so much to protect was this depraved, would she regret it?
“Why should I feel guilty? She did it willingly—I never forced her. And Second Master and Third Young Master, look how stupid they are! I only had to say a few words and they fell for it, even raped their own niece and sister. Aren’t they idiots? No, no—it’s not that they’re stupid, it’s that I’m too clever. Hahaha, it was all just a game. Why take it seriously…?”
Now the living witness had been found. With a madwoman like Lydia present, the case was examined in detail. The Sutton Eighth Young Lady held plenty of evidence, leaving Victor Sutton and Eric Sutton with no way to deny their guilt.
Serena and Prince Nolan didn’t wait for the trial to end. They left the High Court of Justice, but Lydia’s sharp, mocking voice seemed to echo in Serena’s ears.
A game. One game destroyed so many lives. Lydia thought herself clever, manipulating everyone like pawns, yet felt not a shred of guilt. People like her were truly terrifying.
“How could Shunning Marquis Manor raise so many monsters?” Serena asked.
“The back courtyard’s too dirty.” Prince Nolan’s answer was blunt and incisive. After helping Serena into the carriage, he remained where he stood. “I still have matters to handle. Be careful on your way—don’t wait for me, sleep early.”
Prince Titus personally escorted Lydia here, which meant he wanted to meet today. They really did need to discuss Lyndaria’s affairs…