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Chapter 6 - Chapter 5

The Whip Of Justice

The butler stood stiffly beside the mahogany column of the dining hall, hands clasped behind his back like a judge awaiting the signal to deliver a sentence. His voice, when it came, was flat but final.

"In accordance with the rules of the Thorne estate, the punishment for attempting to poison a family guest is either thirty lashes ordered by the master or imprisonment."

Talia didn't flinch, though her heart raced wildly in her chest. The silence that followed the declaration wrapped around around her like a noose.

Damon didn't even glance at her. His eyes were locked on the untouched plate in front of him. Valeria sat smugly beside him, the beginnings of a rash creeping along her flawless neck.

"Thirty lashes," Damon said coldly, without emotion. "Outside."

The butler bowed slightly. "Yes, Master Damon."

Talia stared at him. At both of them. Damon's indifference cut deeper than the punishment itself. She had expected his anger, his rage- but this level of dismissal was a new kind of cruelty.

The butler turned to the maids lining the dining room wall. "Three of you. Ten lashes each."

For a moment, no one moved. Then the head maid stepped forward, her face pale, eyes darting to Talia with uncertainty. Another followed. Then a third.

The elder maid's voice was firm. "Follow us."

Talia was led wordlessly through the house and out into the courtyard. Her slippers scuffed the polished floors as the air turned colder with every step. The courtyard gleamed under the afternoon sun, an expanse of marble and silence.

A small stone fountain trickled water nearby, the only sound as Talia was positioned in the center. Her hands trembled slightly as they reached behind her back, held fast by one of the maids.

"Kneel," Came the order.

She did.

The back of her dress was tugged down roughly, baring her back to the sun and the estate.

Then came the sound she would never forget.

Crack!

Pain exploded across her spine.

One.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

Crack!

Two.

The lashes were precise. Not enough to draw blood, but each stroke lit fire under her skin.

Three.

The fountain beside her gurgled on, mocking the quiet gasps she failed to contain.

Four.

Her jaw clenched tightly.

Five.

Then the second maid stepped in. Talia's breathing had turned ragged, her fingers digging into the marble beneath her.

But just as the second whip was raised-

Tires screeched across the drive.

The sound echoed off the estate walls like a warning bell. Doors slammed in quick succession. Sharp, crisp footsteps stormed across the tiled floors inside.

Even the ever-stoic butler turned toward the gates.

Talia's head swayed upward, her blurred vision catching three sleek black cars rolling through the gates. The Thorne family crest gleamed on their polished surfaces.

Gasps rippled among the staff.

"Is that-?" One maid whispered.

"They're back?" another breathed.

Even the third maid, whip in hand, stepped away instinctively.

The atmosphere shifted. Guards straightened. The maids scurried back, whispering. A ripple of urgency spread across the estate.

Talia lifted her head fully, ignoring the searing pain across her back. Her eyes narrowed as she caught the reflection of the cars in the fountain water.

Everyone stood still, their attention fixed on the arriving guests.

Talia looked around, confused."Who is it?"

No one answered.

Only the butler seemed brave enough to speak, but even he looked unnerved.

"Return to your duties."

But no one moved.

All eyes were on the approaching cars.

Talia clutched the edge of the fountain for support, breath shallow. She didn't know who had arrived- but whatever power they held, it was enough to bring the entire Thorne household to a halt.

And somehow, deep inside her she knew this arrival would make things worst.

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