On the very same day, Bianca contacted Nina Smith, Sophie's friend.

When Sophie had gone to Kloras Town, she had used the excuse of Nina Smith to go out of the Mesenana City without her guards.

Bianca agreed to it at that time as this wasn't the first time Sophie was sneaking to her friend's place without the guards' protection.

The guards would monitor her everywhere to protect her. It would be socially disturbing to meet your friend and having your guard follow you everywhere.

Bianca understood this all too well as she had experienced the same frustrations. Thus, she had tacitly consented when Sophie told her she wanted to sneak out of the city without the guards.

In fact, Bianca was the one to order the guards around so Sophie could get the chance to leave the house.

She never imagined that it would lead to such consequences, though.

Although late, she had realized that she would need to get to the bottom of this situation.

And the person who could inform about this situation clearly was Nina.

Nina's family had good relations with Bianca's maiden family, the Lewis Marquis Family. Thus, it wasn't difficult for her to contact Nina using the Voice Transmitting Array Stone.

Nina knew that it was Sophie's mother who wanted to talk to her regarding something.

Nina spoke with a polite tone, "I wish you good morning, Auntie."

"Thank you, dear. I wish you the same," Bianca replied through the Voice Transmitting Stone.

Bianca spoke, "Do you remember a couple of months ago when Sophie visited your house?"

Nina replied a little nervously, "Yes, of course, Auntie."

Sophie had informed Nina of what excuse she had given at home. She had to deal with the situation if Sophie's mother ever contacted her regarding it.

Nina had more or less forgotten this event since it occurred months back. "What happened, Auntie?" She asked.

"It's regarding Sophie. It seemed that something has happened to her. Today, her master visited me and informed me that Sophie's mental health hadn't been the greatest since she returned to the city. He mentioned that something must have happened when she came to visit you." Bianca spoke with a serious voice.

Nina was startled and scared as she heard those words. She exclaimed, "Sophie's mental condition isn't good?!"

Bianca added, "Yes. Her teacher mentioned that if this continues, she would sooner or later injure herself."

There, she took a small pause. She then continued on speaking with a solemn voice, "I need to help my daughter Nina. So tell me, what happened when she visited you. Was there any strange thing that occurred or anything unique?"

Nina was utterly confused at this moment and chose to remain silent, "…."

Bianca felt that Nina's silence was quite strange. She spoke, "I do not wish to violate your privacy, but this concerns my daughter. Even if it's something related to your family, share it with me. You should know that I do not deal in politics. I won't spread any secret about your family. So please, share it with me."

That helpless tone Nina heard felt like forcing her to make a decision. And her conscience seemed to tell her that it would be best to reveal the truth to Bianca.

Nina spoke, her voice trembling with fear, "Madam, I do not know what happened at that time."

Bianca replied back a bit more intense, "You were with her! How could you not know what happened with her?!"

Nina answered with a faint whisper, "Because she wasn't with me at that time."

"What?" Bianca was confused.

Nina then explained, "Auntie, Sophie never came to visit me…."

Soon enough, a cold look appeared on Bianca's face as she understood the situation a bit more than before, "What did Sophie tell you? I want to know everything."

Bianca's voice carried a threat. Nina had no other choice than to inform what she knew. About what Sophie had told her and everything.

Nina didn't plan to hide the truth from Bianca because she knew that if she couldn't give her a satisfying answer, she was sure to investigate this by asking her mother and father about this situation.

They would definitely not lie to Bianca. So, she made a wise decision to inform Bianca of the entire truth. At the very least, Bianca won't blame her for lying to her.

Soon enough, half a day passed.

Sophie had been summoned by her mother. It was a Royal Guard who informed Sophie about this.

Sophie wasn't much surprised. She thought her mother wanted to meet her and talk to her. It had been several days since she last met her.

It was dinner time when she returned to her house. However, Bianca had still not eaten her food. She appeared to be waiting for her daughter.

Soon, Sophie was standing ahead of her.

"Hey, mother," She spoke while trying her best to smile.

Bianca stared at her and then slowly stood up, "I have been waiting for you, Sophie."

"What is it, mother? Did you miss me? I was still in the city and seriously studying array formations just as you always want me to," She asked a little humorously.

"It's not about this," Bianca replied with a serious tone.

"Then what is it, mother?" Sophie asked with a confused expression.

Bianca stood up and glared at her daughter while replying, "It's about you lying to me. Lying to me that you went to Nina's house when in reality you went to meet your little sweetheart."

Sophie's eyes widened as she heard that statement, "Why do you know about this?"

"I investigated a bit and found the truth," Bianca didn't want to harm Sophie's friendship with Nina, so she didn't tell her that she heard the truth from Nina.

However, Sophie responded just a bit later, "Why did you investigate it now?!"

"That's not important. The main point is that you lied to me and went somewhere else. What if something had happened to you?!" Bianca yelled out while glaring at Sophie.

"…" Sophie remained silent as she knew she couldn't win an argument against her mother regarding this matter.

Deep within her heart, she knew she was wrong to lie to her mother about this. Thus, now, she had to listen.

When Bianca noticed how Sophie was silent and seemed ready to be admonished, she changed her approach.

Bianca asked while placing her hand over Sophie's head and caressing her hair, "Who is he?"

Sophie remained silent. She knew she couldn't mention his identity here.

"Why are you scared to speak out his name? Does that mean you are in a relationship with someone we absolutely won't agree to?" Bianca asked.

"…" Sophie's expression changed, but she didn't deny her mother's words. She was right.

A resolute look appeared in Bianca's eyes as she spoke, "Do you think you can hide your relationship with him for eternity? Even you don't speak, I have many ways of finding his identity."

"Y-You will hurt him," Sophie spoke hesitantly.

Bianca immediately placed her hands over her daughter's hands and spoke, "Do you have such little trust in your mother? If it was your father, perhaps he might have been hotheaded enough to make a move against your little lover. But I promise you to not hurt him as long as he hasn't harmed you."

"Tell me, who is he?" Bianca asked gently this time.

Her mother's words convinced Sophie, and she softly whispered, "Edwin Rhodes."