367.Chapter 367
“What? Another fifty lashes?” Sophie was shocked.
Last time, she was bedridden for ages after the punishment. Another fifty now would leave her stuck in bed again.
Sophie was about to plead for leniency, but things took on even worse turn.
“This time, I’ll be the one to deliver all fifty lashes myself. Benedict showed you mercy before, but now he lies poisoned by your hand. He can’t do it, but I can, Gabriel said
At those words, all the color drained from Sophie’s face.
Though Gabriel was her biological father, he never held back when he was angry. Every time he raised his hand against her, it was as if he wanted to break her completely.
Just like earlier, when he stormed in and slapped her, it felt like he was aiming to ruin her face entirely.
Oh, right, her face was already a bloody mess, thanks to her “dear father!
Sophie trembled uncontrollably, her mind racing. If Father really lashes me himself, how could I possibly survive fifty lashes?
But whether she could endure it or not didn’t matter. Once Gabriel issued an order, no one dared to defy him. Lucas stood nearby, his gaze icy as it flicked toward Gabriel, but he held back his anger.
He didn’t believe Gabriel would actually beat his own daughter to death.
Of course, there was still one thing to address before taking action.
Gabriel said, “Where’s the antidote? Hurry up and hand it over!”
Sophie, kneeling on the ground, froze in place.
She opened her mouth, forcing a weak, bitter smile as she stammered, “What if I said… there’s no antidote? Would you believe me. Father?”
“Ahhh! It hurts so much!”
Gabriel answered her with the whip, his fury evident in every strike.
The first lash tore through Sophie’s back, shredding her clothes and leaving a deep, bloody welt that burned like fire. “Good for you! You dare poison your brother without even preparing an antidote? And you still insist you weren’t trying to kill him!”
Gabriel’s rage boiled over, and he lashed out again and again, his voice thundering with fury.
Each strike ripped through Sophie’s flesh, her screams piercing the air as she writhed in unbearable pain on the ground.
“I was wrong. Father! I was truly wrong! Please stop! Stop! It hurts so much, Father! I beg you, please stop! I can’t take it
anymore!
“Sophiel
Matthew rushed in, drawn by the commotion, only to be met with a shocking scene.
His eyes widened in alarm as he shoved past the servants trying to block him, throwing himself between Gabriel and Sophie
“Father, stop! Are you trying to kill her? Matthew said
“Get out of my way!” Gabriel barked.
Gabriel kicked Matthew aside, his gaze icy. “So what if I do? She poisoned Benedict with a deadly toxin and didn’t even bother to prepare an antidote! Benedict is still lying in bed, barely clinging to lifel
“What? Sophie poisoned him? No, that’s impossible! She didn’t even know about this, did she?” Matthew’s voice filled with disbelief
He turned to Sophie, desperation in his eyes. “Sophie, tell Father it wasn’t you! Say it wasn’t your
Matthew, help me! Please: “Sophie sobbed uncontrollably, ignoring his question.
Gabriel let out a cold scoff “She already admitted it herself, and yet you’re still defending her
Foolish children Every last one Gabriel thoug
The one son who’d never given him trouble now.
Successfully unlocked!
The more Gabriel thought about it, the anger he became. “Move asidel The fifty lashes aren’t done yet. If you dare interfere again, don’t blame me for whipping you too!
“Father! There must be some misunderstanding. Matthew still couldn’t helishe
1/2
367 Chapter 367
Benedict
Gabriel’s fury surged even higher at Matthew’s stubbornness.
Without hesitation, Gabriel swung the whip, striking both Matthew and Sophie in one blow.
“Til beat some sense into you two today!” Gabriel bellowed.
The whip lashed down like a relentless storm, raining strikes on both of them.
“Matthew, help me! Pleaser Sophie cried out.
“Sophie!” Panicking, Matthew threw himself in front of Sophie, shielding her from the remaining blows.
By the end, Matthew’s injuries were far worse than Sophie’s.
Lucas and the others watching were stunned by the scene.
Sophie might be foolish, but her ability to win people over seemed to surpass even Zole’s.
Matthew was practically ready to risk his life to protect her.
So, he probably still doesn’t know that Sophie is the one who poisoned his mother, right? Lucas stroked his chin thoughtfully, his brow arching slightly beneath his mask as he stared at Matthew.
It wasn’t until Matthew was drenched in blood that Gabriel finally stopped, throwing the whip to the ground with a heavy thud.
“If you’re so determined to protect her, then next time she screws up, you’ll be punished right along with her!” Gabriel warned coldly.
20
