Chapter 154

"What a joke," Emmalie sneered. She approached slowly, her tone dripping with sarcasm and disdain. "You're not qualified to fight us for anything. You're vicious and shouldn't even exist. But Mom says you're a Rowland, so I can't just throw you out. Instead, I'll use other methods to ensure you remain a Rowland without the power to cause trouble."

Emmalie paused, offering Duncan an innocent smile. "How about this?" she said. "I'll cripple her hands and legs, and she can stay with us. She won't be able to target me anymore, and I'll still treat her as my sister. No need to send her overseas."

Thea's face paled. Duncan, however, smiled indulgently. "I knew you couldn't bring yourself to do it. Forget it. Whatever you want, I'll support you." He glanced coldly at the bodyguards. "What are you waiting for? Do it."

Seeing two bodyguards approaching with sticks thicker than her arms, Thea's voice trembled. "Duncan, I'm your sister! The sister you adored. We're family! Why are you doing this? Remember when we were young? Mom and Max were always working. We relied on each other. When you had that high fever, I carried you to the hospital. I fell countless times, but I persevered. I don't ask for your love, just don't be so cruel."

Duncan raised his hand, stopping the bodyguards. He walked toward Thea, step by step. As he drew closer, his cold, disgusted expression sent a chill down Thea's spine.

"Emmalie took me to the hospital," Duncan said. "You were out shopping with friends and left me home with a raging fever. If not for Emmalie, I'd be dead."

Thea stared at Emmalie, who hid behind Duncan, in disbelief. She had carried Duncan to the hospital. Max and Ivy hadn't been home. Emmalie, usually so sweet to her family, had hidden in her room. Thea had asked for Emmalie's help, but Emmalie had refused, daintily claiming poor health and worrying about catching Duncan's illness.

Thea had taken Duncan to the hospital, regardless of the cost. Upon returning, she'd found Emmalie crying, and somehow, Emmalie had taken all the credit.

Duncan's gaze faltered; perhaps Thea's clear eyes sparked his guilt. He gritted his teeth, slapping Thea hard. "Don't look at me like that. I remember everything you did. You deserve this."

The slap stung; Thea tasted blood. She smiled ironically, tears falling. "I hope you won't regret this. Never regret it."

"What do you mean?" Duncan raged, grabbing her collar.

Emmalie grew uneasy, fearing Thea would reveal the truth. "Duncan, don't be angry," she said. "She's doing this on purpose. If you're angry, that's what she wants. Let's deal with her quickly."

Duncan nodded, agreeing. "I gave you a chance, but you're still stubborn. Emmalie and I have done our best for you. Don't blame us."

The stick struck Thea's legs. The searing pain made her tremble, but she bit her lip, refusing to cry out. Sweat streamed down her face, blurring her vision, but she forced her eyes open, determined to remember their faces forever.

"Stop!" A man shouted from the doorway. Thea's disappointment was palpable; it wasn't Nicolas, but Max. Seeing her condition, his forehead throbbed. He rushed to her side.

"Get out!" he roared at the bodyguards, who hesitated before retreating.

Duncan glared at Max. "What do you mean? Feeling sorry for Thea?"

Emmalie, feigning innocence and bravery, said, "Max, don't blame Duncan. I was just angry. We only wanted to teach Thea a lesson, but she provoked and insulted me. Duncan was angry, so"

Max took a deep breath. "Didn't I say we'd lock her up first? I told you to wait for my decision. If you cripple her, how can we give her to the Xander family tomorrow?"

Emmalie bristled. "Even like this, will the Xanders still accept her?"

Max ignored her, glaring at Duncan. Duncan stammered, "She was taught a lesson, not crippled. We'll tell the Xanders she was dishonest, tried to escape the marriage, and was disciplined."

Max rubbed his temples, addressing the servants. "If anyone from the Xander family asks about Thea tomorrow, tell them she fell. Understand?"

Thea lay dazed on the floor, finding the idea of "falling" ludicrous. She was a pawn, at their mercy. She even wondered if she was truly their daughter.

Max, perhaps touched by Thea's suffering, softened. "Don't send her to the hospital. Find a family doctor. If she's hungry or thirsty, give her the best. Don't neglect her." He sighed, his final words directed at Thea. "You're my sister. If you hadn't been so ruthless, I wouldn't have been so heartless."

Thea, drained of strength and hope, closed her eyes and lost consciousness.