Chapter 54

“Could it be Dustin?” Dahlia wondered, immediately dismissing the thought. That was impossible! They were divorced; they were like oil and water. Why would he help her? Moreover, he wasn't capable of it.

“Chris Nolan! You’re a vile and despicable human being! I must have been blind to believe in someone like you!”

“Bastard! I even considered you family! You’re worse than that trash, Dustin!” Florence and James cursed, having placed their trust in Chris only to discover he was a fraud.

“We all have to look out for ourselves! You only have yourself to blame for being so dumb!” Chris mocked scornfully.

“Shut the fuck up! My ears are sore from your bickering!” Edward roared, silencing everyone.

“I have nothing to do with the Nicholson family. I don’t know Hunter Anderson. The Nicholson family was behind Sir Spanner’s death! I had nothing to do with it!” Chris knelt, begging.

“Uncle Travis, what should we do with him?” Edward asked.

Travis, after a two-step advance, declared, “I don’t care about your connection to the Nicholson family. I want to know who murdered Sir Spanner! Tell me, and I’ll spare you; otherwise, you face the same fate!”

“I’ll tell you everything!” Chris blurted, a sudden idea forming. “It must be Dustin! He must have murdered Mr. Spanner!”

“Dustin? What a familiar name,” Edward mused, stroking his chin.

“Edward, don’t you remember? He’s the one who beat you up!” Chris babbled.

“It was him!” Edward exclaimed resentfully. “Uncle Travis, Dustin is the most suspicious!”

“Where is he?” Travis asked coldly.

“I saw him at the Emerald Building this morning. I don’t know where he went afterward. Dahlia is in charge of the Emerald Building—she’s also Dustin’s ex-wife—she must know where he is!” Chris accused, shifting blame onto Dahlia.

“Bullshit! Dustin and my sister are divorced!” James refuted.

“That’s right! We have nothing to do with Dustin. His mess is none of our concern!”

“Yeah! You should look for Dustin. We’re innocent!”

Everyone protested, fearing involvement.

“I’ll decide your innocence. Everyone is guilty until the murderer is found!” Travis scoffed.

“That damned Dustin! He’s going to kill us all!”

“This is so unfair! We’ve obeyed the law our whole lives. Why did we meet such a troublemaker?”

The Nicholson family lamented.

“Leave Dahlia and lock up the rest of the Nicholson family!” Travis ordered.

“Yes, sir!” The adjutant saluted, and soldiers escorted Florence and the others to a car.

Chris was shocked.

“Where are you taking them?” Dahlia asked worriedly.

“You shouldn’t worry about them. You should worry about yourself.”

Travis approached, asking coldly, “Where is Dustin? Are you both involved in my brother’s death? Be honest, and I’ll end this quickly! Otherwise, your entire family will join you!”

“Sir Spanner’s death has nothing to do with me! I don’t know anything!” Dahlia denied.

“You don’t know?” Travis snorted. “It seems you need some persuasion.”

He gestured, and soldiers bound Dahlia and hung her from the ceiling.

“Let me go! You’re abusing your power!” Dahlia struggled, her wrists hurting with each movement.

“Abusing my power?” Travis laughed. “It seems you haven’t grasped the situation. Your life is in my hands. I decide if you live or die. One more time: where is Dustin?”

“I don’t know!” Dahlia shook her head stubbornly.

“Huh! I think you’ll only give up facing death! Beat her until she talks!” Travis commanded.

A burly underling approached with a barbed whip.

“What are you—?” Dahlia’s face paled, but before she could finish, the whip cracked against her back, tearing her clothes and leaving a deep, bloody wound.

Dahlia moaned, gritting her teeth. Multiple lashes followed, until she screamed in pain. Her back was bruised and bloody. The whip was a specially designed torture device covered in spikes; even a man couldn’t endure a dozen lashes.

“Spill!” Travis watched impassively.

Dahlia bit her lip, sweating profusely but her eyes determined. “Don’t stop! Hit harder!”

Losing his temper, Travis ordered his underlings to increase their strength, and the sounds of whips and screams intensified.

Chris could only lower his head. Edward, however, wore a disturbing smile.