The Girl He Sold Returned As The King’s Mate Chapter 15
“I don’t know if this money is clean.”
“When the investigation is over, I’ll decide who it really belongs to.”
The inspection team audited Adrian’s income over the years.
He had, in fact, supported himself later through tutoring and editing.
That didn’t erase the first twenty-two thousand dollars, but there was no need to pretend every good deed he’d ever done was a lie.
A person can do good and still commit an unforgivable crime.
The investigation was about evidence, not about painting him as a monster from birth.
The square slowly emptied.
The publishing house pulled Adrian’s essay collection from circulation.
The inspector who had attacked me most fiercely in the council room came to my office to apologize.
“I was worried about the precedent of the King’s mate influencing appointments with a single word. I was out of line.”
“I didn’t realize you were the victim.”
I didn’t make him grovel.
“You weren’t wrong to be wary of private relationships interfering with public appointments.”
“You were wrong to defend Adrian before the investigation had even begun.”
“A poor background isn’t a free pass.”
He lowered his head, accepting the rebuke.
Daniel remained at the Royal Castle, refusing to leave.
He had someone deliver a copy of Riverbend’s old bloodline registry.
On the page belonging to Evelyn, the status wasn’t *deceased*.
It was *missing*.