NovelFinishChapter 218 The chapel stood grandly atop the highest ground within the Garcia Estate, a place reverently preserved over generations. Its towering beams were annually repainted with gold, and above the altar, an intricately crafted scene of twin dragons chasing a pearl symbolized the family's esteemed status and power.
In front of the altar, Tristan, usually composed and commanding, now wore an expression of pure anger for the first time. His icy gaze was fixed on Rupert, who stood in the chapel's center, rain lashing down outside but barely causing a ripple in his calm exterior.
"You've letdown this time, Rupert!" Tristan demanded, his voice cutting through the tension. "Who leaked the contract details?" Rupert's sharp features were etched with a hint of detachment, his presence exuding a cool defiance. The storm outside was nothing compared to the turmoil within.
"It was no one else's fault. I was careless, and the Carmen family took advantage of it." "You!" Tristan's eyes widened in disbelief, his hands trembling with suppressed rage. This was not the answer he wanted. There had to be a scapegoat, someone to bland to present to the family and the scrutinizing eyes of the ever-watchful Helena.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTaking a deep breath, Tristan pressed on, "Wasn't it Sylvia who visited the Garcia Group?" The solution was simple. The lowly Sylvia, driven by greed, betrayed the Garcia family for money. The narrative would paint her as the villain, sparing Rupert from the fallout of a business blunder.
As long as Rupert played along...
"She didn't," Rupert responded coldly.
Hearing this, Tristan slammed his palm on the altar, the sound reverberating through the chapel, thickening the air with tension. Father and son locked eyes, Tristan's twitching with rage, before he turned away angrily.
He pulled three sticks of incense from the altar, his voice steely as he commanded, "Then you know what must be done for your mistake." "Yeah." With a blank expression, Rupert began unbuttoning his shirt. Orson, standing nearby, looked on with concern, "Mr. Rupert..." "Stay out of it." Rupert tossed his jacket to Orson and undid his shirt, revealing taut muscles beneath.
Tristan's bodyguards retrieved a whip from the cabinet, its leather wetted by the rainwater seeping through the chapel's roof, emitting a menacing crack as it was tested in the air.
Tristan bowed to the altar, and as he inserted the incense into the burner, the whip cdown on Rupert's back, leaving a vivid mark.
Tristan kept his back turned, waiting for Rupert to admit guilt. But after ten lashes, Rupert stood silently, beads of sweat on his brow, refusing to utter a single word.
Tristan, hands elasped behind him, frowned deeply, his voice laced with threat, "Rupert, I promised you that if this deal succeeded, your mother's shares would be transferred to you. But now, it seems I'll have to keep them under my care." At the mention of his mother, Rupert's gaze fell, a thin line of blood appearing where he bit his lip.
Seeing his silence, Tristan gestured to the bodyguard to continue, but the bodyguard hesitated, caught between duty and conscience, before raising the whip again.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Stop!" Edwin burst into the chapel, shielding Rupert with his body.
"Dad, Rupert's just recovered from a serious illness. If you keep this up, it'll be the end of him, Runish kind bit if you must, but rem remember, Mom's spirit is right here. She gave everything to bring Rupert into this world. You can't do this to her!" Tristan's expression softened at the mention of Rupert's mother.
"Everyone out!" Edwin quickly signaled Orson, and together they helped Rupert into his coat and guided him out of the chapel.
As they reached the door, Edwin glanced at the bodyguard still holding the whip and gave a slight nod. He had anticipated trouble the deal, so he'd instructed Tristan's bodyguard to go easy. when the Carmen family nét
Back at Rupert's quarters, Chris had just arrived. Seeing the trail of blood droplets, he frowned, "Get inside and En lethave a look at those wounds." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1
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