Chapter 93
“Coming right up.” Melanie announced as she swiftly returned with a disciplinary paddle. It was crafted from premium wood, two fingers wide and thick enough to leave bruises.
Three or four more strikes and one’s skin would break. Melanie handed over the disciplinary paddle, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. “Gwyneth, you can still apologize to Dad now–it’s not too late. Otherwise, when this paddle comes down, the pain will be excruciating.
Gwyneth remained unmoved. She had endured the family’s discipline many times before. She hadn’t feared it then, and now, she feared it even
less.
paddle high. Melanie watched eagerly, her eyes full of malicious anticipation. “Oh,
Seeing Gwyneth refusing to back down. Quentin raised the p come on, Dad. Beat her to death, she wondered.
“Brat. Quentin snarled.
Gwyneth’s face was icy as she was about to snatch the paddle and leave–when suddenly, a figure flashed before her.
Zachary stepped forward and took the full force of the blow for her.
Huh? Why did you–Gwyneth’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise as Zachary shielded her, beads of sweat forming on his temples from the pain. “Are you okay!” Zachary asked–those words seemed to echo with his voice from the past.
Years ago, when Gwyneth fled Joracity for Galvocity, facing countless obstacles along the way. Zachary had simply pulled her into an embrace and asked. “Are you okay?”
In Everprosper Group’s early days, she attended countless business drinking sessions for Zachary’s sake–drinking until she nearly suffered a gastric hemorrhage and had to be hospitalized.
Yet even then, it was only after everything had happened that he finally asked her, “Are you okay?”
Back then, Zachary never stopped Galvocity from going to those business drinking sessions.
“Are you okay?” he said. As if those words could magically erase all her past suffering. But now, she didn’t need anyone’s protection. She could fight her own battles.
Zachary showed up again, taking his time, stepping in to shield me. Does he really think that with this one gesture, all the hurt from the past can just be wiped away? Galvocity thought
Galvocity suddenly let out a cold laugh, offering no thanks for Zachary’s protection. Instead, she stared Quentin down and said icily. “Quentin, got use balls? Then kill me.
“You think Zachary still has feelings for me, so you want to sell me out? Go ahead and try–I’ll refuse. Let’s see who wins.”
Quentin’s schemes were laid bare, his knees screaming in pain. Consumed by rage, he completely forgot about the business with Zachary. In his heart, all that mattered now was asserting his wounded authority as a father.
Quentin roared, “Fine, Gwyneth. How dare you talk to your father like that? Today, I’m gonna knock some sense into you
With that, Quentin wildly flailed the disciplinary paddle.
Zachary’s pupils constricted as he rushed forward to intervene. Diana and Melanie also joined the fray.
Diana, worried that Quentin might hurt Zachary, raised her hand to hold him back, while Melanie, hoping to escalate the conflict, deliberately added fuel to the fire. The four of them quickly became a tangled mess
Zachary gritted his teeth through several blows, cold sweat beading on his forehead from the pain.
In stark contrast, Gwyneth unhurriedly took her seat and sampled the new dishes. Finding the flavor lacking, she rose with visible disappointment. “It’s so awful? Her words made the four in the chaotic scuffle freeze. Gwyneth, noticing the sudden silence behind her, dabbed her lips and tossed the napkin onto the table. “Savor your light I’m done watching the show. Bye.
“Wait, Gwennie, Zachary called out, clutching his injured arm as he took two steps forward.
Diana hadn’t expected Gwyneth to walk away unscathed. She quickly blocked Zachary, putting on a concerned face. “Mr. Flynn, it’s clear she doesn’t respect you at all. Are you alright? I’m so sorry. Quentin didn’t mean it”
1/2
Gwyneth tuned them out, made a swill exit, and shut the door firmly behind her, leaving all on the other side. Pulling her coat tighter.
she walked into the night air, murmuring to herself, “So damn noisy”
