Chapter 0222

As Liu Ruxue appeared, all eyes in the courtroom were drawn to her.

Dressed in prison garb, her hair slightly disheveled, she still carried traces of her former beauty.

The moment she saw Lin Ran, a flicker of delight flashed in her eyes, followed by a shy, coquettish smile—one that mirrored the playful, ambiguous expressions she used to give him back in their school days.

Lin Ran shuddered, a wave of disgust rising in his chest.

How can you still smile when you’re about to be locked away? he thought. And why the hell are you smiling at me? Do you actually think I’d still have feelings for you?

Unable to hold back, Lin Ran stood up and shouted, “Liu Ruxue, just go back to Gotham. Batman says he won’t arrest you anymore.”

Everyone: ???

Court staff: “All observers, please remain orderly—uh, Young Master Lin? Please… sit down.”

Phew. Thank goodness I recognized his face in time. My job is safe.

Liu Ruxue froze momentarily but then relaxed.

Lin Ran must be acting this way to avoid arousing suspicion from Luo Yao’s people. He still loves me. Seeing him so upset… it breaks my heart.

During the trial, Liu Ruxue admitted to all the criminal charges brought by the prosecution. Her head hung low, her voice soft, yet every word echoed through the courtroom.

Huo Haini’s parents sat in the plaintiff’s seats. Upon hearing Liu Ruxue’s confession, they wailed in anguish, their grief threatening to drown out the entire proceedings.

Their eyes burned with hatred and pain—they looked ready to lunge at Liu Ruxue and tear her apart on the spot.

To them, she was a demon who had stolen their child’s life.

No matter how despicable a person may be, in their parents’ eyes, they will always be a good child. The loss was unbearable, and having the murderer standing before them only deepened their agony.

In the end, thanks to Xu Kai’s “vigorous defense,” Liu Ruxue was sentenced to 16 years in prison, effective immediately.

She accepted the verdict without appeal.

Lin Ran exhaled in relief, his body relaxing slightly as a glint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Seeing his expression, Liu Ruxue misinterpreted it as confidence that he would save her. Reassured, she smiled at him again.

But after days of suffering in detention, her face was bruised and pale, making her grin appear ghastly—more unsettling than a grimace.

Lin Ran was baffled. What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you keep smiling at me?

He cursed under his breath, his disdain for her growing even stronger.

Once Liu Ruxue was taken away, Xu Kai approached Lin Ran with the sentencing documents.

“Mr. Lin, Liu Ruxue is finished. Sixteen years—her youth will be spent behind bars.”

Lin Ran sighed, his gaze lingering in the direction she had been led. A storm of emotions churned within him.

Liu Ruxue… you brought this upon yourself.

He remembered how deeply he had once loved her—how he would have given everything for her. And what had she done in return? She manipulated him, toyed with his emotions, keeping him dangling between love and hatred. But worst of all, she had conspired with Liu Yuemei and Lin Jian to kill him—a pain he could never forget.

Your suffering now is just the karma for your sins.

It seemed fate could indeed be rewritten, and justice would always prevail.

Lin Ran felt no sympathy for Liu Ruxue’s fate—only a righteous sense of vindication.

If I pitied my own enemy, wouldn’t that make me a saint?

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Her punishment wasn’t as severe as it had been in his past life.

When she’s finally released, I’ll make sure she gets sent somewhere even more… entertaining. She’ll pay a heavier price for what she’s done. But that’s a matter for another day.

As Lin Ran left the courthouse, Liu Ruxue was transported to the First Women’s Prison on the outskirts of the city.

The police van sped down the highway, the scenery outside blurring past like the freedom she had lost.

When the vehicle finally came to a stop, Liu Ruxue arrived at the place every woman feared—a cage of concrete and steel.

The prison’s towering walls loomed ominously under the sunlight, its black iron gates shut tight like a gaping maw ready to swallow all who entered.

Staring at the imposing structure, Liu Ruxue finally felt fear.

Her body trembled slightly, her eyes wide with terror. It was as if stepping through those gates meant she would never come out again.

Escorted by the officers behind her, she trudged forward, her legs heavy as lead. Every step was a struggle, her knees nearly buckling beneath her.

Lin Ran will find a way. Stay strong, Liu Ruxue. As long as you’re alive, there’s still hope.

She repeated the words in her mind, trying to steel herself, but the overwhelming dread still crashed over her like a tidal wave.

Once inside, she was handed over to the prison guards. From this moment on, she would face the darkest chapter of her life.

After collecting her assigned belongings, Liu Ruxue carried a basin down the prison corridor.

“Liu Ruxue!” a guard barked, the sharp command reverberating off the walls.

“Here!” She stood rigidly at attention, clutching her meager possessions, forcing herself to appear composed.

Her delicate beauty stood out starkly in the grim surroundings—like a flower blooming in hell.

Meanwhile, inmates pressed their faces against the bars, scrutinizing the newcomer. Their eyes brimmed with curiosity and malice, like wolves eyeing fresh prey.

What kind of murderer could someone this beautiful be?

They speculated about her story while already plotting how to “welcome” her.

Before her arrival, the prison’s top dog had already given orders: this Liu Ruxue needed to be “educated.”

And in this place, everyone knew what “education” meant.

It was brutal torment—a merciless assault on both body and dignity.

Greedy eyes followed her, some filled with pity—though that pity was laced with schadenfreude.

They all knew: starting tonight, this woman’s suffering would begin.

“This is your spot,” the guard said, gesturing to a cell. “Rules are posted on the wall. Follow them. Understood?”

“Yes.” Liu Ruxue stepped inside, her every movement still carrying an air of her former “nobility.”