Chapter 232 Three Lashes
From afar, Brian’s figure was a blur, indistinct and shadowed.
And yet, Rachel recognized him instantly.
“Stop staring. We need to move. You haven’t finished your punishment yet.”
The man’s voice was cold and clipped, snapping Rachel out of her daze.
She turned to the one leading the group, her voice soft but pleading. “Just five minutes, okay? Please,”
He hesitated, but remembering Wilson’s attitude towards her, he gave a small nod. “Fine. Five minutes. No more.”
Rachel nearly choked on her relief. “Thank you. Five minutes–that’s all I need.”
Without another word, she started toward Brian.
As soon as she could make out Brian’s features, she stopped in her tracks.
She hadn’t planned to approach him, much less speak to him.
She only wanted to see him, to make sure he was okay, to check if he was hurt.
Peering from around the corner, she saw Brian standing tall, his posture as composed as ever, Fresh from a shower, he wore a crisp white shirt and black trousers, exuding a quiet elegance that seemed untouched by confinement.
The image sent a wave of déjà vu crashing over her. It was just like the first time they
met.
Back then, he had also worn white and black–though instead of a dress shirt and trousers, it had been a plain white T–shirt and black slacks.
And he had leaped into the water to save her, throwing caution aside without hesitation.
Back then, he had been a light in the darkness. A beacon she had never forgotten.
Back when they were nothing more than strangers, he had pulled her out of the water without hesitation.
12:01
Chapter 232 Three Lashes
Yet after everything–after years together, he ignored her when she was in danger.
Time had slipped through her fingers so fast.
The moments she had desperately clung to had long since dissolved into nothing.
She was the only one still trapped in the past.
“Brian, this time, let’s call it even,” she whispered under her breath.
From this moment on, she owed him nothing. The thread tying them together could finally be cut.
Blinking back the tears, Rachel turned and met the man’s gaze. “Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Minutes later, Rachel was led into another room.
It was secluded, dimly lit, and nearly bare–nothing about it stood out.
Not long after, a woman from entered. Without a word, she placed two pieces of clothing in front of Rachel, her expression cold and unreadable.
Rachel frowned.
Then a man walked in, a whip gripped tightly in his hand. And just like that, she
understood.
Her punishment was a lashing, designed to carve itself into her memory.
There was no escaping it.
Rachel clenched her fists, steeling herself. The sooner this ended, the sooner she could go home to Jeffrey. If she didn’t return tonight, he would definitely start to worry.
“Should I stand or lie down?” Rachel asked, her voice steady.
Her composure clearly caught the man off guard. He hesitated before answering, “Standing will do.”
He passed the whip to the woman beside him. “You take care of it given that you’re both women. I’ll step outside–call me when it’s done.”
“Alright,” the woman replied, gripping the whip.
Rachel could tell from the look in her eyes–she wasn’t going to hold back.
Chapter 232 Three Lashes
And sure enough, the first lash tore across her back, searing like fire.
A sharp, unbearable sting ripped through her, as if her skin had been slashed open.
Rachel bit down hard on her lip, her fists trembling at her sides, but the pain was too much. The scream escaped before she could stop it.
The metallic tang of blood thickened in the air. She didn’t have to look to know her back
was a mess of raw, open wounds.
“Here comes the second lash,” the woman said, her tone chillingly indifferent.
Rachel forced herself to steady her breathing, her nails digging into her palms. “Alright.
Do it.”
The second strike landed, agony erupting through her body. Her knees buckled, and she
crashed to the floor.
After an hour locked in that ice–cold cellar, she was already at her limit.
Just two lashes, and she could barely stay conscious.
“Well? Do you want to continue with the third lash?” The woman’s voice dripped with
mockery.
Rachel planted her palms against the cold floor and tried to push herself up.
Once. Twice. By the fifth attempt, she still couldn’t get to her feet.
The woman let out a derisive snort. “If you can’t handle it, then just give up. You’ve already failed.”
Rachel’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. “I can do it. Just one more lash, right?
Let’s finish this.”
The woman’s sneer faltered, disbelief flickering across her face. “You’re not afraid of dying, are you?”
Dying? A faint, bitter smile ghosted over Rachel’s lips. Death was the last thing that
scared her.
Sooner or later–it made no difference.
“Let’s just get it over with. I won’t stand. Do it while I’m down here.”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “You’re really serious about this?”
Chapter 232 Three Lashes
“Yes.”
“Fine. If you’re that fearless, I won’t hold back.”
She raised the whip high and struck.
The motion was sharp, deliberate–but Rachel knew. The lash was nowhere near as
harsh as the first two.
“Thank you,” Rachel murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
The moment the words left her lips, a violent cough racked her body.
A mouthful of bright red blood splattered onto the floor.
She wiped it away with trembling fingers, her faint, bitter smile never fading.
Though the final lash hadn’t carried the same force, her body had already reached its breaking point. Now, it was finally giving out.
“Are you alright?” The woman hesitated, shifting awkwardly.
She reached out as if to help but quickly withdrew her hand, second–guessing herself.
in.”
“Bless yourself. I’ll call hi
The man returned swiftly. His gaze swept over Rachel’s torn clothing and the deep red stains marring her back.
Three lashes. No more, no less.
Satisfied, he gave a curt nod and said to Rachel, “Change your clothes and clean yourself up. I’ll take you to report to Mr. Carpenter.”
“Alright,” Rachel murmured, her voice barely audible.
Left alone in the dimly lit room, she clenched her jaw and braced herself. It took several attempts before she managed to drag herself off the floor, inch by agonizing inch.
Every muscle screamed in protest, and the searing pain nearly sent her spiraling into
unconsciousness.
Even so, she forced herself to move, painstakingly slipping into the long–sleeved black
coat.
Dark in color. Heavy in fabric. Perfect for hiding the damage beneath. How thoughtful of
them.
Chapter 232 Three Lashes
She hadn’t even finished buttoning it up when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
The sudden noise startled her. In a frantic attempt to steady herself, she lost balance,
her weakened legs giving out beneath her.
She hit the floor hard, this time with nothing left to fight back.
