The whip traced an arc in the air.
Crack!
Flesh was torn open.
“What the hell did I send you to the academy for?!”
Theodore Astane gripped the whip.
His face was flushed bright red.
Tia was kneeling on the ground.
Over a dozen whip marks already marked her body.
Blood seeped through her clothes.
She bit her lip.
She didn't make a sound.
“What have you been doing all these years?!”
Theodore brought the whip down again.
Tia’s body convulsed.
But she did not cry.
Her tears had long since run dry.
“Master.”
The butler walked in from outside.
His steps were very light.
“A man has arrived outside.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“He says he is the heir to the Blood Duke.”
The whip in Theodore’s hand stopped mid air.
“The Blood Duke?!”
His eyes lit up instantly.
The whip dropped to the floor.
He kicked Tia.
“Get out of here!”
“You're a disgrace!”
When Tia heard the name Lucas.
Her body trembled slightly.
She struggled to stand up.
Clutching her scarred body.
She shuffled back to her room one step at a time.
The servants quickly ran in.
Mops.
Rags.
In less than five minutes.
The bloodstains on the floor were cleaned.
Theodore straightened his clothes.
He shouted toward the upper floor.
“Aidan! Come down!”
A young man walked down from upstairs.
Golden hair.
A handsome face.
He was Tia’s brother.
Aidan Astane.
“Father.”
Aidan’s voice was calm.
Theodore patted his shoulder.
“The heir to the Blood Duke is here.”
“Come with me to receive him.”
Aidan nodded.
The two walked quickly toward the entrance.
Outside the estate.
Bell stood before the main gate.
Lilian stood beside him.
Theodore and Aidan walked out together.
“Oh, my!”
Theodore’s face was covered in smiles.
“Lord Bell!”
“It is such an honor to have you here!”
“Please come in, please come in!”
He waved his hand.
A servant immediately opened the gate.
Bell walked inside.
His steps were slow.
His gaze swept over the surroundings.
The estate was large.
But the decor was tacky.
There were golden statues everywhere.
Theodore personally led Bell into the hall.
“Please sit, Lord Bell!”
He pointed at a sofa.
Bell sat down.
Theodore immediately poured a cup of tea.
He handed it over with both hands.
“May I ask what brings someone of your stature to our humble home?”
His voice was filled with flattery.
The ruthlessness he had shown while whipping her.
Had completely vanished.
Bell took the tea.
“I am a classmate of Tia’s.”
His voice was calm.
“By right, I should call you Uncle Astane.”
“I—”
“Oh!”
Theodore stood up in excitement.
“Don't say that!”
“You can just call me Theodore!”
His eyes were frighteningly bright.
“Are you here for my daughter?”
Bell nodded.
“Senior Tia withdrew from the academy.”
“I was a bit worried.”
“So I came to ask what happened.”
Theodore’s smile grew even more radiant.
“Oh, my!”
“You should have said so earlier!”
He turned around.
“Please wait a moment, Lord Bell.”
“I'll go get Tia right now.”
He patted Aidan’s shoulder.
“Aidan, stay here and keep Lord Bell company.”
Having said that, he walked quickly upstairs.
Aidan sat opposite Bell.
He wore a polite smile on his face.
“Lord Bell.”
“Please, have some tea.”
Bell picked up the teacup.
He took a sip.
It was very bitter.
Upstairs.
Theodore pushed open the door to Tia’s room.
Tia was lying face down on the bed.
On her back.
The whip marks were clearly visible.
The blood had already clotted.
Theodore walked to the bedside.
He took a handkerchief out of his pocket.
“Oh, my dear daughter.”
His voice was frighteningly gentle.
He leaned over.
He used the handkerchief to gently wipe the wounds on Tia’s body.
Tia’s body stiffened suddenly.
She looked up.
Staring at Theodore.
Her eyes were full of fear.
“So you're on such good terms with Lord Bell of the Duke Lucas family.”
Theodore’s smile was radiant.
Tia shrank back in fear.
She had never seen this man treat her like this.
Ever since her mother brought her to remarry this man.
She and her mother had been constantly beaten and scolded.
“Bell...”
Tia’s voice was very small.
“What is Bell doing here?”
Theodore happily patted her shoulder.
“He’s here for you, of course.”
“My dear daughter.”
He carefully helped Tia up.
Fearing he might hurt her.
“Good girl.”
“Quickly use your healing magic to treat your injuries.”
His voice was soft.
“It would look too unsightly to go out like this.”
Tia was stunned for a moment.
Then she nodded.
A faint golden light welled up from her hands.
It covered the wounds.
The whip marks slowly disappeared.
Her skin became smooth again.
Theodore nodded in satisfaction.
“Let’s go.”
“Don't keep the distinguished guest waiting.”
He took Tia’s hand.
And led her downstairs.
In the hall.
Bell was chatting about something with Aidan.
Hearing footsteps.
He looked up.
“Senior Tia!”
Bell stood up.
A smile appeared on his face.
The moment Tia saw Bell.
Her eyes turned red.
“Junior Bell...”
Her voice trembled.
Theodore pushed Tia toward Bell with a chuckle.
“Lord Bell.”
“I'll leave my daughter to you.”
“You young people should chat.”
He pulled Aidan.
“Let’s go prepare dinner.”
The two turned and left the hall.
Leaving only Bell and Tia.
Bell looked at Tia.
“Senior.”
“Why did you suddenly withdraw?”
Tia lowered her head.
Her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes.
“I...”
She bit her lip.
“I’m getting married.”
Bell’s body froze.
“Married?”
Tia nodded.
“Father arranged a marriage for me.”
Her voice was very small.
“The other party is a Marquis in the Royal Capital.”
Bell’s fists tightened.
“Are you willing?”
Tia’s tears fell.
“I...”
She shook her head.
“I’m not willing.”
Bell took a deep breath.
“Then don't marry.”
Tia looked up.
“But...”
“But my father...”
Bell interrupted her.
“What about your father?”
Tia’s lips trembled.
“He’ll beat me to death.”
Bell’s eyes darkened.
“Did he beat you?”
Tia did not speak.
But her tears explained everything.
Bell turned around.
He walked toward the kitchen.
“Junior Bell!”
Tia chased after him.
“What are you going to do?”
Bell did not answer.
He pushed open the kitchen door.
Theodore was discussing something with Aidan.
Seeing Bell enter.
He immediately smiled.
“Lord Bell.”
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
Bell walked up to him.
“Theodore.”
“Tia isn't getting married anymore.”
Theodore’s smile froze.
“What?”
Bell’s voice was calm.
“I said.”
“Tia isn't getting married anymore.”
Theodore’s expression changed.
“Lord Bell.”
“This is a matter for our family.”
Bell looked at him.
“I know.”
“But Tia is my friend.”
Theodore’s eyes flickered.
“But...”
“The other party is a Marquis.”
“I’ve already agreed.”
The corners of Bell’s mouth curled into a smile.
“Then refuse.”
Theodore’s face turned bright red.
“Lord Bell!”
“You are making things difficult for me!”
Bell did not speak.
He just stared at Theodore.
In those eyes.
There was no warmth.
Cold sweat broke out on Theodore’s back.
He suddenly remembered.
The boy in front of him.
Was the heir to the Blood Duke.
A member of the Lucas family, who controlled a third of the kingdom’s military.
“I...”
Theodore swallowed.
“I understand.”
His voice was very small.
“I will refuse.”
Bell nodded.
“Good.”
He turned around.
And walked toward the hall.
Tia stood at the door.
She looked at Bell.
Her eyes were full of shock.
“Junior Bell...”
Bell walked up to her.
“Pack your things.”
“You're coming back to the Royal Capital with me.”
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