Chapter 7

Mr. Jenkins frowned deeply and immediately called for a doctor.

A solemn family punishment was interrupted by Tiffany’s accident.

I didn’t pay attention to them. I merely looked at Kai, signaling with my eyes that it was over, he didn’t need to be punished.

But Kai was stubbornly oblivious.

He insisted, “Since the doctor is here, the punishment should continue.”

Leo’s furious gaze immediately pierced him.

“Have you no heart?! Can’t you see Tiffany’s face is slashed?!”

Tiffany, by now, had fainted, her eyes tightly shut.

Kai merely raised an eyebrow. “If she threw herself in the way, who’s to blame?”

No sooner had he spoken than Leo lunged at him with a punch.

Kai dodged but didn’t retaliate. Several bodyguards immediately stepped forward to pull Leo away.

He was panting, then looked at me.

“Say something! Fine, I’ll marry you, okay?! You did all this, harming Tiffany, just to force me into submission, didn’t you?!”

Everyone froze, bowing their heads.

I curved my lips, a cold smirk on my face. “Continue the family punishment.”

Tiffany had thrown herself in the way; what did that have to do with me?

However, this was indeed part of my goal: to make Leo and Tiffany squirm.

But seeing them support and comfort each other, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Mr. Jenkins complied. This time, he put his full strength into it.

He had watched Chloe grow up and had never seen her suffer such humiliation.

These young men, all adopted by Mr. Sterling from different orphanages, were given the right to choose their own names, wealth, and a top-tier education, raised to be half-heirs of the Sterling family.

But if they disrespected Miss Chloe, then he wouldn’t be lenient.

Three more lashes fell. This time, Leo was sprawled on the ground, unable to speak.

He stared fixedly at me, but then suddenly remembered the scene many years ago when I had shielded him from a whipping.

Entering the Sterling family involved many trials, and in the final test, Leo struggled and couldn't resist cheating.

Mr. Sterling picked up the note, frowned, and shouted,

“Who wrote this? You can leave now! The Sterling family doesn’t want people like that!”

Leo trembled, knowing this was his only chance to change his destiny. He hung his head, not daring to admit it.

Just then, I stepped forward. “I wrote it.”

It was just an exam, but I insisted on taking it with them. We were only thirteen then.

Though I was the family heiress, Mr. Sterling still disciplined me strictly.

Hearing his daughter admit it, he merely frowned and sent me to receive the family punishment.

One lash per word, seven lashes in total.

I was in pain for a week after being hit and could only sleep on my stomach.

Leo’s mind churned with these memories, thinking:

*Perhaps I should just marry her this time, give her a year of ‘happiness.’*

*It would repay her kindness and keep Tiffany safe.*

Leo passed out from the pain. Mr. Jenkins had him and Tiffany carried to a room.

Next was Kai. Kai had just knelt down.

But I suddenly spoke, “I’ll administer his punishment.”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Mr. Jenkins muttered, “Miss, please don’t kill him.”

Everyone knew Kai and I had the worst relationship.

The next second, Kai scoffed, “Whatever.”