Chapter 698



Cara, calm and composed, motioned for someone to bring over a whip.

The whip was heavy and emitted a chilling sound as it cut through the air.

Calvin’s complexion went ashen.

Seeing his defiance, Cara’s patience snapped. With a sharp crack, the whip came down hard on Calvin.

Calvin was wracked with so much pain that cold sweat coated his skin, yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to let any cries escape.

Observing his defiance, Cara was overcome with fury. “Why do you act just like him? Is it really so difficult to yield to me? Kneel down!”

Before long, Calvin was bruised and beaten, his body marred.

Keely, her heart racing with dread, leaned toward Cara and murmured, “Your brother and husband will return shortly. Should they witness this, they won’t take kindly to it. He’s merely a boy. If anything were to occur…”

But Cara dismissed Keely’s concerns with cold fury, lashing out with the whip in a burst of anger. “You pathetic fool! Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?”

The others present had felt a surge to intervene, but the sight of Keely’s punishment silenced them.

Meanwhile, Elma, secluded in her room, tuned in to the tumult unfolding downstairs. The more she heard, the clearer it became that something was amiss. The crack of the whip sent a shiver of fear down her spine. Why would her mother resort to a whip? Was she disciplining someone? Who could be the target?

Images of Calvin flickered through Elma’s thoughts. He had visited her earlier. Could her mother have seen him? But Calvin hadn’t done anything wrong. Why would her mother lash out at him?

Despite her attempts to calm herself, Elma’s anxiety refused to subside. With dread, she tiptoed out of her bedroom and peered down the stairs. A small figure was being whipped in the living room below.

Elma’s eyes shot open in shock, and on impulse, she bolted downstairs. “Mom!” Elma’s cry halted Cara.

Though smaller than Calvin, Elma positioned herself protectively in front of him. “If you need to vent your anger, take it out on me. But Calvin? He’s done nothing wrong. Why hit him?”

Upon seeing Elma, Cara’s fury intensified. She sneered mockingly, “What? Wasn’t this morning’s scolding enough to teach you obedience?”

Facing her mother’s piercing stare, Elma felt a wave of fear but remained resolute. “Mom, I’m your daughter. You can punish me if you must. But Calvin belongs to someone else. To punish him is to risk offending others.”

Cara’s voice chilled the air. “Can’t I teach Kallie’s brat a lesson? Elma, step aside or you’ll get the same treatment.”

Elma stood firm, her legs shaking, yet she voiced a determined “No!”

In pain, Calvin clutched Elma’s hand. “Just leave. I’ll be okay.” Tears streamed down Elma’s cheeks as she shook her head. “I told you not to come here. Why didn’t you listen? You brought this on yourself.”

Smiling softly, Calvin raised his hand to pat her head. “I couldn’t help but worry about you. You see me as a brother, so I have to watch over you.”

Hearing their conversation, Cara was taken aback. She stared at Elma, her voice wavering. “What? Brother?”

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