Chapter 679

Lily returned to her hotel shortly afterward. Too much had happened at the Lodge family residence in the past three days. Staying there had evoked strong feelings of childhood and memories of Wilfred, leaving her upset.

She had previously believed her relationship with Wilfred was distant and weak. However, following her grandfather's death, she realized how much she missed him. Having lost her parents as a child, she'd been raised by her grandfather. She had resented Wilfred's strictness, only realizing later that his discipline had been for her own good. Without his care, she likely would have injured herself countless times. Now, however, her grandfather was gone. She'd sought to avenge him, but the official cause of death was "natural causes," leaving her unable to exact revenge on Wilfred.

"Still not sleeping?" Alexander asked, finding Lily sitting dazed on the bed after his shower.

She sat with her legs bent, her arms wrapped around them, chin resting on her knees, her gaze vacant. Seeing his wife in such distress upset Alexander. He'd never seen her so withdrawn since their meeting, not even during her struggles with Nathaniel or her desperate "deal" with him.

He dried his hair, sat beside the bed, placed a hand on her shoulder, pulled her into his arms, and let her lean against him.

"This outcome may be a good ending for you and the Lodge family," he murmured.

He'd also received the news and was surprised. The investigation had been extensive, with numerous clues pointing to a murderer, yet the conclusion was unexpected. Henry, it seemed, had merely sought to exploit Wilfred's death to seize power; he hadn't poisoned him. At least, Wilfred hadn't suffered a cruel murder.

Lily understood this intellectually, but understanding didn't alleviate her sadness. Human emotions are complex and difficult to control.

"By the way," Alexander said, noticing a bruise on her arm, "what happened here?" He reached for her arm, attempting to pull up her sleeve.

Lily recoiled, but he was too quick. His touch caused her pain. She hissed, "Ouch"

"Does it hurt?" Alexander's concern intensified. He involuntarily pulled up her sleeve, revealing a bruise. While there were no lacerations or broken bones, it looked like a simple contusion, offering him some relief. Nevertheless, he called the hotel concierge to request a first-aid kit. Lily offered no resistance.

The staff soon arrived with the kit. Alexander carefully applied ointment to the bruise.

Lily looked down at the mark, recognizing it from her fight with the Light-Shadow Killers at the Lodge residence. She couldn't recall precisely when she'd sustained the injury.