Chapter 17

Charles stepped forward, his armor radiating a chilling luster and exuding an oppressive air. Madison’s face paled. “Don’t—don’t you guys come over!”

“Slap!” Charles looked cold and stern. Two Black Flag Army soldiers immediately lifted Madison. “Smack!” Charles slapped her hard across the cheek with great force.

Blood trickled from the corners of Madison’s mouth as her veil fell to the floor, her hair disheveled. The hall fell silent. No one dared to question or intervene. After all, this was an order from Lord Blackheart himself. Archie’s calves trembled with fear. Pia, seeing her daughter struck, remained silent.

They couldn't understand what was happening. Why would Lord Blackheart call Cameron, that "loser," his boss?

"Wh-why did you slap me?"

Chapter 18

Madison, recovering from the slap, looked wildly at Charles and Blackheart. She had never been struck or humiliated like this before.

"It's because you deserve it," Blackheart said indifferently.

"I deserve it?" Madison was startled, then burst into hysterical laughter. "Haha! Lord Blackheart, how can I deserve a slap? We didn't steal or rob anything! We paid for a wedding on the Venizon Cruise. And you say I deserve to be slapped?"

"Hiss!" A collective gasp filled the hall. Was she crazy? She dared to talk back to Lord Blackheart!

"Madison, stop!" Archie, standing aside, was terrified.

"Why should I stop? I have to speak! I won't accept this!" Madison's voice sharpened, anger surging. She glared at Blackheart with resentment.

"Lord Blackheart, I know you're powerful, and ordinary people can't challenge you. But my loser ex-husband tried to sabotage my wedding, and you had me slapped instead? There are witnesses!"

"We didn't see anything!" Everyone broke into a cold sweat. Was she trying to implicate them?

"You cowardly, useless weaklings! Like Cameron, you're just parasites clinging to the powerful!" Madison cursed fiercely. These people hadn't been so compliant when Archie had the upper hand.

"What did you say?"

"Who are you calling weaklings?"

"You were being presumptuous! We didn't see Mr. Morgan cause trouble!"

"Lord Blackheart, beat the living daylights out of this bitch!"

This sparked outrage. Blackheart's eyes grew colder. "Captain Jordan, continue the slapping!"

"Yes!" Charles obeyed.

"Smack! Smack! Smack!" Brutal slaps rained down on Madison's cheek, leaving her bloodied and nearly unconscious.

The crowd felt their anger satisfied. Archie and Pia didn't dare to help. Only Dakota felt sympathy and stepped forward to plead. Her voice trembled. "Lord Blackheart… Maddy offended you out of ignorance. Please be magnanimous… and spare her. I believe she will never dare to do it again!"

Blackheart remained unmoved.

"Forget it," Cameron interjected, prompted by Dakota's plea.

"Stop!" Blackheart raised his hand.

"Hiss!" Everyone's eyes widened.

"Thank you," Dakota said gratefully to Cameron, then rushed to comfort Madison. "Maddy, Lord Blackheart has forgiven you. Let's go."

"Leave me alone! I won't leave!" Madison shook off Dakota's hand, glaring at Blackheart with bloodshot eyes. "I did nothing wrong! Why was I beaten?"

"This crazy woman!" Many muttered.

Blackheart's eyes darkened. "You did nothing wrong? You slandered my boss, and you say you did nothing wrong?"

"How did I slander him? He did try to ruin my wedding!" Madison screamed.

"You've gone too far!" Blackheart roared. "Even now, you twist the facts! Do you think I can't access the cruise surveillance?"

Madison fell silent. She had forgotten Blackheart's access to the recordings.

"Nothing else to say?" Blackheart sneered. "Kick her whole family out. I don't want to see them again!"

"Yes!" Charles gave the order. Soldiers dragged Madison and her family out. Madison didn't resist.

The sound of splashing water followed as they were expelled. Everyone's hearts trembled. The banquet hall fell silent. Dakota looked at Cameron. All eyes were on Cameron and Lord Blackheart. They wanted to know their relationship. (The final sentence regarding finding more chapters online has been removed as it's not part of the text cleanup.)