Did he want to keep the Payne familyâs dirty laundry under wraps?
Was he protecting Ronan from harm?
Or was he worried that Ronan would go mad or die in prison?
Or was it just a smokescreen for his true intentions?
Lucinda sighed, casting a glance toward the bathroom.
She felt a pang of sympathy for Nathan.
She began to second-guess Nortonâs motives.
Nathan had always held Norton in the highest regard.
If the truth came out and it wasnât pretty, what would Nathan do?
Lucinda tore her gaze away, her eyes downcast.
âDoes Grandpa think Ronan can handle sixty lashes?â
Kern replied, âMr.
Ronan Payne is not made of iron.
Heâd be lucky to survive.
But itâs not about ending his life, itâs about teaching him a lesson.
Why not find another way to handle it?â
Lucinda said, âLetâs not beat around the bush, Kern.
â
âMr.
Norton Payne proposes splitting the sixty lashes into three sessions, giving Mr.
Ronan Payne a fortnight to recuperate between each.
â
Lucinda fell silent, her expression grim.
Ronan deserved punishment.
Why quibble over it, testing Nathanâs limits one step at a time?
Norton even wanted Ronanâs punishment divided into three sessions.
Did he view it as a debt that could be repaid incrementally?
It was clear Norton cared deeply for Ronan.
Seeing no outright refusal, Kern pressed on, âMr.
Norton Payne said if Mr.
Nathan Payne agrees to the terms, heâll talk right away.
â
Lucinda lapsed into silence again, stealing a glance at the bathroom.
Nathan seemed reluctant to come out.
She couldnât make this call for him.
It was about the truth of his parentsâ demise.
âKern, you can go back.
Iâll relay Grandpaâs message to Nathan.
Whether he bites or not, Iâll tell him to ring Grandpa.
Sound fair?â
Kern relented.
âItâs late.
Hopefully, heâll make the call within the half-hour, for Mr.
Norton Payneâs sake.
â
âUnderstood.
Grandpaâs health comes first.
I get it,â Lucinda said calmly, rising to walk him out.
âGoodbye, Kern.
â
The door clicked shut once more.
Lucinda made her way toward the bathroom.