Chapter 332: If It Was Lennox

Olivia’s POV

I looked away, then forced myself to look back. My mind was restless... I wanted to interfere, but I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "She deserves this," I muttered under my breath.

The next strike came lower, across the curve of Anita’s hip. She bit down on her lip, refusing to cry out, but the tremor in her arms made her whole body shake. The stone below her was wet with tears, and maybe more. My own vision blurred for a second. I blinked hard.

Lolita touched my arm, tentatively. "Olivia, please. Let’s just go back inside."

I shook her off. "No. I want to watch." From somewhere behind me, a familiar voice called my name. It was loud and commanding, pulling the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

Calvin.

"Olivia," he called again, and I felt the eyes of the guards stationed toward us, curiosity sharpening their faces. Calvin strode forward, all broad shoulders and rigid posture, the kind of presence that made you want to stand up straighter even if you hated him. He stopped just short of the whipping post, close enough that I could see the muscle ticking in his jaw.

"She’s had enough. Tomorrow she begins the new punishment," he declared, lifting a hand.

The guard obeyed at once, setting down the whip and untying Anita’s wrists. She collapsed to the ground, catching herself with shaking hands. Her back was a canvas of blood and raw welts.

No one moved. Not the guards. Not the servants watching with wide, hushed eyes. Not even me. I stood rooted, fighting the urge to rush to her side. Once, she had been my best friend.

Calvin’s gaze pinned me. "You want to say something?" he asked, voice low enough that only I could hear.

I didn’t. I didn’t want to say anything. But the words tumbled out anyway: "You should have asked me before punishing her. You know that, right?"

Calvin’s expression didn’t change. "She’s my prisoner, not yours."

I noticed the way she hunched over, clutching her arms around herself, blood trickling down her spine. The old anger in me flickered, sputtered,

not to touch her wounds. She was breathing hard, tears and snot smeared across her cheeks, but she

something that was almost a smile. "Death

the guards led me away. I remembered the wedding night, how she fucked the triplets without listening to my cry of pain. I remembered the way

she was reduced to

in silence. Did any of them pity her? Or did they see only justice being

blood-dripping, naked Anita away, and

to humiliate her like that," I said, my

finally raised his eyes. Calm, steady, unreadable. "Punishment

me. Anita was—" My

his voice stayed calm. "And you? What would you have done?

swallowed hard, forcing my fists

he was stripping me

my frown deepened. "Leave Anita’s punishment to

cut in, low and final. "You’ll do what,

I didn’t know

"By the time I’m done with her, she will

wait to hear my argument

happening... so many things were going on in my life all at once. There was my sour relationship with my mother, Lord Frederick’s claim over me, and now

got a

"Olivia..." it was Levi.

sighed, dragging in a shaky breath. "Have you settled things with

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