Female Novel
Chapter 295
She couldn't bear to gamble with the lives of her loved ones anymore.
Oh, how Clara yearned to wrap her arms around Ian, but her hands, dangling helplessly by hersides, clenched into powerless fists instead. Her voice was laced with a helpless rasp as she said,"Ian, let's just take a breather, okay? My dad's health isn't great, and I need to go check on him."
Heedless of her protest, Ian kissed the top of her head, his voice deep and soothing, "I'll take youhome."
As he took Clara's hand to leave, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Leonora. His eyes, which hadbeen filled with warmth just moments before, now seemed coated in a layer of frost. "Clara and I willnever be torn apart in this life. If you dare to interfere again, I'll sever all maternal ties with you!"
Watching the two of them walk away, Rose sighed in resignation. "What should've been acelebration has turned into a wake. What sins have our family committed to deserve this?"
Teo immediately stepped forward to console her. "Mom, don't worry. I'll make sure they staytogether. As for Leonora, I'll have someone keep an eye on her. She won't get another chance towrong Clara."
Rose's eyes brimmed with tears. "We owe Leonora our lives—twice over. Why should Clara have topay that debt? Do you have any idea how much it hurts to see them at odds like this?"
Leonora's mother had saved her son, and then Leonora herself had saved her. Because of thosetwo lives, the Hayes family had refrained from dealing with Leonora's malevolence and venom.
But why did it all have to be repaid with her grandson's happiness? She would have rather Leonoranever saved her at all.
Rose, resolute in her pain, fixed Leonora with a steely gaze. "This affair has caused harm, and Iwon't let it go. As a daughter-in-law of the Hayes family, you've shown neither virtue nor sincerity,and you've schemed to block your own child's happiness. If I let you get away with this, ourancestors would never forgive me. If the law won't punish you, then our family will. Butler, bring theriding crop. According to our rules, anyone who causes harm with malicious intent shall receive ahundred lashes."novelbin
At these words, Leonora fell to her knees in terror, pleading for mercy. "It wasn't on purpose. Thatold man was already on his way out. You can't pin it all on me. Besides, I spoke only the truthwithout fabrication. You can't punish me like this. It's not fair."
Rose snorted coldly, "Fair or not, my word is the law in this house. I've been too lenient in the past,which has led to this mess. If you no longer wish to be part of the Hayes family, I might considersparing you."
Leonora knew exactly what Rose was implying. Rose wanted to use this situation to force Leonorainto asking for a divorce.
But how could she? Her ambitions were far from fulfilled; she couldn't just walk away from theHayes family. She gritted her teeth and said through clenched jaws, "I accept the punishment."
The crop was an heirloom left by their ancestors. When it struck flesh, it would tear skin and fleshalike. A hundred lashes could leave someone half dead, if not fully. Soon, the great hall echoed withthe crack of the whip and Leonora's agonized screams.
Meanwhile, Ian had escorted Clara to her front door. Just as he was about to follow her inside, shestopped him. "This is as far as you go. You should head back."
"But you said your dad's heart isn't doing well. I'll just take a quick look and leave."
Clara's heart ached unbearably. She just couldn't bring herself to harden her heart against him.
As they stepped into the hall, Clara caught the scent of her beloved braised pork ribs. She wasabout to say something when suddenly her stomach churned violently. Unable to hold it in, shegagged and bolted towards the bathroom.