Stunningly beautiful yet wicked, she begins by conquering eight beast husbands.

Chapter 79 If you don't want to kill, you need to figure out a way to maintain balance.

Tonight, Scarlett, having just gone through the process of Sylvia and Chi Ye withdrawing their divorce petition, really didn't have the energy to think much about the meaning behind Riley's pointed remark.

Instead of discussing with him whether Graham is the new person she wants to take, why not jump straight into business mode?

She's currently obsessed with her career and wants to resolve things once and for all.

She looked at Riley and said, "Riley, come back to my bedchamber with me. I have something to ask you."

Riley paused, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural.

He came here at Lilia's request to check on how His Highness was doing.

Lilia was worried that Sevier might harm His Highness; he recalled past events and shared this concern.

On the way there, he overheard Lilia mention someone else.

He was surprised but didn't say anything.

But when I actually met Scarlett, I couldn't help but ask her a question.

Obviously.

Scarlett's answer exceeded his expectations.

He didn't know how to respond for a moment.

During this time, Scarlett had been sleeping alone and had not summoned anyone to her bedchamber. Why would she suddenly call him to her bedchamber?

They were discussing giving the newcomer a formal title.

still is……

Despite his confusion, Riley quickly composed himself, a smile playing on his lips, and responded cheerfully.

……

……

Herda Palace actually has rooms specifically for handling official business, but Scarlett has never actually been involved in official business, so she doesn't know that.

Furthermore, her bedroom had a dedicated rest area, similar to a reception room, and Scarlett's plan was to go to sleep after finishing her business.

So she asked Riley to go with her to her bedchamber.

Riley clearly hadn't considered this aspect and was filled with anxiety the entire way.

This unease wasn't just about confusion; there was also a hint of tension, a tension about what would happen next.

They returned to their sleeping quarters.

Scarlett sat on the sofa in the lounge area and asked Lilia to pour in two cups of tea.

She took a sip of warm tea to moisten her dry throat, and then told Riley everything that had happened in the Lost Continent during this time.

Including what she and Gela said in the servants' quarters.

Riley held his teacup, listening quietly. His fingers gripped the handle so tightly that his fingertips lost much of their color, turning them white as jade and blending into the handle.

Listen to what comes after.

Scarlett mentioned Sofia.

Riley's eyelashes trembled, and her eyelids suddenly lifted, revealing a hint of panic in her dark green eyes. It wasn't from Sophia, but from Scarlett's words.

Scarlett said, "Riley, I'm not quite sure about your feelings for Sophia. This is something you can do or not do. I'll leave the decision to you."

Riley almost blurted out, "Why would Your Highness think that way?"

He believed he had feelings for Sofia.

Scarlett said frankly, "When Sophia came to Herda Palace last time, she told me about your relationship and asked me if she wanted you. I should have told you this sooner, but I got delayed by other things. Riley, I want to ask your opinion. If you like Sophia, I can give you my blessing."

Since things had come to this point, Scarlett decided not to hide anything and simply spoke her mind.

Sevilla and Chiye have already defected; the other five can be dealt with one by one later.

Use this incident to push Riley out into the limelight.

That way, even if he's a bomb, he won't hurt himself.

"Your Highness."

Riley lowered his eyes, looking at his teacup, where steam was still rising and wetting his eyelashes. "Are you doing this to make room for the newcomer?"

Riley isn't stupid, but his current idea is anything but smart.

If he had just been patient enough to think about Scarlett's words, he would have quickly understood her intentions. But right now, he couldn't calm down and couldn't figure things out.

Scarlett didn't know why Riley kept dwelling on Gela; she guessed that Riley was trying to change the subject and avoid the issue.

No, she couldn't let Riley lead her by the nose.

Scarlett looked at Riley, "Riley, this has nothing to do with him. I just want to hear your own thoughts. If you like Sophia..."

"Your Highness."

Riley put down his teacup, interrupting Scarlett, "I don't like Sophia."

His face was flushed with anger. He gritted his teeth, his Adam's apple bobbing as he said forcefully, "I don't like Princess Sofia, not at all. Your Highness, you don't need to test me with this. Your Highness once said that I am a person, not a gift, and that you won't make decisions for me or give me away to someone else."

"Now……"

Riley looked up, a few thin streaks of bloodshot eyes flashing, staining his eye sockets. "Does Your Highness's words still stand?"

His dark green eyes grew increasingly dark, like a dry well, swallowing up his former calm, indifference, and peace, leaving only a pitch-black gloom to maintain his last shred of rationality.

He was restraining himself, trying not to ruin the current peace.

Riley's voice wasn't loud, but his words resonated like a drumbeat in Scarlett's ears, especially his last rhetorical question.

Scarlett paused, her brows furrowing slightly, a hint of annoyance flashing through her mind.

She hadn't expected Riley to react so strongly, like a wolf waiting to pounce. She worried that if she continued the topic, she would completely enrage Riley and cause terrible consequences.

Sofia had clearly said that she and Riley were childhood sweethearts and had a deep bond.

Holst also said that they were very close friends.

She made a good suggestion, so why is Riley so resistant to it?

Scarlett didn't dwell on the issue too much; right now, she had to keep Riley calm and prioritize safety.

Scarlett smiled gently, her eyes incredibly soft, and met Riley's gaze as she whispered, "Of course, I will always respect your decision, no matter what."

This statement did not reassure Riley.

But he needed to calm down at this moment, and even if Scarlett was lying to him, he had to believe her.

Riley paused for a few seconds, managed a weak smile, and began to analyze the previous topic, "Your Highness, Gra is a dangerous person, a double-edged sword. If not used properly, he will hurt himself."

Scarlett hadn't expected Riley to stay and discuss the matter further; she had assumed their conversation had ended just moments before.

She paused for a moment, then quickly got to the point, "You mean?"

Riley's eyes narrowed. "Kill him."

Murder was never Scarlett's first choice, otherwise she wouldn't have brought Glar out.

If the other party knows her and is using this opportunity to sow discord between her and Sofia, then he is not simply a bounty hunter.

She was more interested in knowing who was behind him.

Seeing Scarlett hesitate and remain silent, Riley frowned, thinking his words had frightened her. He added gently, "If Your Highness does not wish to kill, you must devise a method of checks and balances."

At this point, Riley asked, "It's no secret that His Highness went to the Lost Continent to level up, so why don't you believe that Sophia was behind it?"

Scarlett said, "There's no motive. Sophia has everything, I have nothing, she has no reason to bother."

This was exactly the answer Riley wanted.

He smiled, his brow easing slightly, and continued his analysis: "Your Highness, there are two consequences to sending Gela back. First, he is Sophia's man, and Sophia may use him to harm herself and frame Your Highness. Second, he is not Sophia's man, and others may use him to harm Sophia and frame Your Highness, potentially also implicating Sophia in the process."

"Of these two consequences, Your Highness is the one who suffers more loss than gain, followed by Sophia."

Riley didn't say it explicitly.

He only offered a clue, leaving the rest for Scarlett to figure out on her own.

He believed that Scarlett must know.

Riley's analysis is simple and easy to understand.

Scarlett went through it in her mind and belatedly realized what was going on.

Bright eyes.

She knew what to do.

(End of this chapter)