The Ex and Her Riches

Charles panted heavily, easing the pain in his back. Struggling, he mumbled, “I didn’t take the key from Karl, break into the top floor or steal anything…”

“How dare you still try to defend yourself!”

The cane slapped hard against Charles’ back. five times consecutively, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

The flesh underneath his blood-stained shirt didn’t bleed but was swelled up and purplish. There was no spot unscathed.

Each hit cut his swollen flesh deeper while bright red blood splattered gruesomely.

“Um…”

A muffled grunt escaped from Charles’ mouth. His straightened back collapsed. As he propped himself up with one hand, his arm trembled uncontrollably from the pain.

“Craig, I really didn’t do it…”

Fear rose in Lucas’ heart. Standing beside the pillar, he couldn’t bear to see Charles’ badly-injured back.

Jasmine covered her mouth and shed tears as her heart ached.

Being forced to witness such a cruel punishment was torture to them.

Only Craig remained nonchalant. His ruthless glare was void of sympathy.

He then analyzed the situation in detail.

“You were the only one there tonight and got close to Karl when you almost ran into him on your way. I checked the top floor earlier. Someone opened the cabinet, and a bottle of very important serum was missing! Before the welcome party started, you waited and didn’t leave the floor. I asked the housekeeper to get you to hurry up, but you weren’t in your room and were nowhere to be seen. I bet you were stealing on the top floor at that time. Am I right?”

As he reached the end of his sentence, he raised his voice in rage and whipped Charles’ bruised back ruthlessly before the latter could straighten his back.

“Tell me! Where is the stuff? Why did you steal from your own family? Did you conspire with Gwendolyn Harris to deceive me? Tell me!”

The howling of wind continuously sounded.

Blood splattered on his white shirt as the blood-stained cane swung.

and

nook and cranny in the villa several times, particularly in Charles’

Defends Himself To

the hook. He was sure that Charles tried to sabotage him based on the fact that Charles had gotten close

he hit Charles, the latter denied everything until

and he swung the cane in his hand

whipped the former’s arms and waist. ruthlessly. The torturing sound sent

keep denying it. I will send

Thwack!

in their

teeth and bearing the pain. Charles almost lost consciousness from the agony and started grunting

had been so long since he suffered such a harsh beating after hiding abroad and barely living a peaceful life abroad for a year. The torture was beginning

the second cane snapped

time and tossed the

he rolled

“Guard.”

walked in and replied

the new canes soaking in a bucket, Craig ordered with a

“Yes.”

both his palms on the ground, Charles could see the bodyguard beside him picking up a cane despite his blurred vision.

even if you beat me to my death, I will never

rather be wrong than letting you

“Since you

eyes, Charles slowly picked it up and held

Craig, please let Charles go. Look at him. He’s badly injured but still

Charles and stop him from taking his life with

snorted. “You don’t know him. Those who went through training at the Central Intelligence Agency are strong and wouldn’t easily tell the truth. It won’t work if I

is a nut case. He would prove his innocence with his life. I don’t wish to see him kill himself. We are family, after all. Even

bruises on Charles’

quickly stepped out and pleaded, “Mr. Craig, please spare

“A coincidence?”

shot him a piercing gaze. “You safe-keep the keys to the top floor all the time. It could only mean Charles stole it if you didn’t lose it