Chapter 261

Lily was a perceptive child.

Back in kindergarten, whenever someone spoke ill of her mother, her immediate reaction was to fight—she'd beat the other child until they surrendered.

But this time was different.

Not only did her mother get scolded by the teacher, but she also lost a significant amount of money.

Lily thought for a moment before looking up at Nathan.

"Uncle Nathan, don't call me 'little princess' anymore. If I don't like it, just call me 'Lily.' That way, if you say it too much, I won’t feel bad. And I won’t hit anyone again."

Her words were innocent, spoken without deeper thought.

Yet, Ethan and Nathan's expressions darkened instantly.

Sophia lowered her head, her heart heavy.

After a pause, Nathan spoke gently.

"Little princess, from now on, in your new kindergarten, every child will call you 'little princess.' No one will dare to bully you. Understand?"

Lily blinked. "Why?"

Nathan glanced at Sophia, his words carrying a silent message.

"Because of your mother."

Sophia suddenly laughed—a bitter, weary sound.

"That's good," she murmured.

Ethan frowned. "What?"

Nathan, too, looked at her in confusion.

Sophia smiled faintly. "It's fine. Let’s enroll Lily in kindergarten."

That morning, Ethan, Sophia, and Lily visited several kindergartens Nathan had selected—all prestigious, close to home, and convenient for drop-offs.

But Lily didn’t like any of them.

Nathan had chosen elite institutions with top-tier facilities, but they were nearly empty, with teachers hovering one-on-one over each child.

Lily thrived in chaos—where children laughed, ran wild, and played freely.

Finally, Nathan sighed. "Fourth Master, this is the last one."

Ethan remained silent.

Sophia spoke coldly. "Nathan, these are all elite schools. Lily doesn’t fit in here. She wants something lively, with lots of kids. She hates feeling isolated."

Nathan looked to Ethan for guidance.

Ethan nodded. "Find a regular kindergarten."

"Yes, Fourth Master!"

A regular kindergarten was easy to find—modest but decent, with classes of twenty children, all dressed neatly.

Nathan crouched to Lily’s eye level. "Little princess, do you like this place?"

Lily tilted her head. "Is it easy for Mommy to pick me up?"

Nathan nodded. "Very convenient."

"Will Mommy have to pay a lot?"

"Not a single penny."

Lily exhaled in relief. "Okay. Let’s stay here."

Sophia smiled. "Do you want to stay and play with your classmates today?"

"Yes!" Lily agreed eagerly.

They enrolled her immediately.

After settling her in, the three left.

In the car, Sophia suddenly wrapped her arms around Ethan.

Ethan stiffened. "What’s wrong?"

Her voice was soft, resigned. "Maybe it’s not so bad to surrender like this. I misjudged you before—at least you’re not cruel to our daughter. Seeing her happy in kindergarten, getting an education like other children… I’m content. I won’t fight anymore. I’ll do whatever you ask. I’ll follow your arrangements for the rest of my life."

She buried her face in his chest.

What she didn’t say was: If you want me to stay with you forever, I will. If you want me to leave, I’ll go.

She was done resisting.

Exhausted.

His chest was firm, warm, and solid. She nuzzled against him, seeking comfort.

A fire ignited in Ethan’s veins.

Nathan, driving, widened his eyes in the rearview mirror.

He grimaced.

This is too much.

He was being force-fed affection.

"Eyes on the road," Ethan growled.

Nathan blinked. "Sir?"

"Stop staring. Or I’ll have them removed."

Nathan focused straight ahead. "Understood, Fourth Master. But if I lose my eyes, I can’t drive. What will you and Mrs. Blackwood do? Let me deliver you safely first, then I’ll gouge them out."

His tone was dead serious.

Sophia’s cheeks burned.

She’d forgotten Nathan was there.

Mortified, she hid her face against Ethan until they arrived at his residence.

Ethan carried her inside.

Nearby, hidden in shadows, Isabella Thornton seethed.

"Sophia! Why won’t you just die?!"

Her nails dug into her palms.

"If it weren’t for you, I would’ve married Ethan six years ago! Our child would be in kindergarten by now! But you—you’re still alive, still in his arms!"

Tears streamed down her face.

Inside, Ethan set Sophia down.

"Rest. Eat well. Nathan will pick you up at four."

Sophia nodded. "Will you be at the office?"

"No."

She didn’t ask further.

Where he went no longer concerned her.