"I don't want to kill you. I'm going to hand you over to the three elders for a public trial," Lilah declared as she stood, ready to depart with her son.

"I won't let you win," Arya retorted, laughing bitterly. She cursed at Lilah's retreating back and, in a moment of madness, leaped into the sea.

Lilah only heard the splash. When she turned, the waves had already swallowed Arya.

It was shocking, to say the least.

Lilah remained composed, walking back with Jerrold. She discussed Arya's potential suicide, driven by fear of punishment, with the others.

Bartley, stripped of his role as deputy league leader, was astounded.

“Impossible! Arya wouldn't just jump into the sea. Have you murdered her? Despite her errors, the law doesn't condone killing!"

Devonte responded sharply, his eyes narrowing at Bartley, "Are you suggesting our league leader would commit murder? Given your daughter's repeated offenses-multiple attempts at murder, kidnapping children-she would have justified such a fate!"

Cyrus and Kyler also positioned themselves solidly behind Lilah, clearly expressing their support.

At the door, the Gomez family gathered, hands on hips, looking ready for a confrontation.

At that moment, Barth entered, his face ashen. “Lilah, is Arya truly gone?"

Despite Arya's myriad transgressions, Barth, ever sincere and devoted, clung to a sliver of hope for her redemption.

Such hope had propelled him before; now, Arya had gone.

“I cannot be sure. She leapt into the sea, and no body was found,"

Lilah replied, eager to speak honestly with Barth.

Barth's heart sank, and he stood there, looking utterly defeated, as if all life had been drained from him.

Devonte, visibly frustrated, fixed Barth with a piercing gaze.

"You're still fixated on her? Don't you remember how she treated you? She nearly got you killed!"

“Barth, everything Arya did was for you; you can't just dismiss that!"

Bartley exclaimed, stepping forward and seizing Barth by the collar, expecting him to defend Arya.

Barth remained silent for a long moment, tears welling in his eyes, his body trembling. Eventually, he pushed Bartley away and walked out slowly.

"If you have any doubts, perhaps you should consult the assassins Arya trained. They truly understand the extent of your daughter's toughness," Lilah interjected sharply before quietly exiting the room.

That night, Lilah lay awake, restless with thoughts.

There were many like Arya, who had joined the league through various means, and hastily dismissing them could lead to complications. It seemed prudent for her to begin planning early to address these unforeseen challenges.