The rattan cane snapped against Carmen’s back, the sound crisp and sharp. With the very first strike, her scream was so miserable and blood curdling. She staggered, unable to stay on her knees, and toppled forward. “It hurts, it hurts so much. Trevor, please, spare me!”

Carmen immediately grabbed Trevor’s pant leg, begging for mercy.

Is that all you can take? Aubree thought as she sat on the sofa. Back then, she just knelt there and took the punishment without making a sound. It wasn’t that Aubree didn’t feel the pain, but if she made a sound, they’d only hit her harder.

Aubree glanced at Ronald, who was standing to the side, watching. Even though he didn’t say a word, anyone could see the look of reluctance and pity on his face.

Now he feels sorry for her? Back when I was the one getting beaten, everyone in the Wilson family just watched like it was some kind of show, Aubree thought.

After all, Carmen was the daughter raised by his side. Even though Ronald now had plenty of complaints about her and even suspected she might be… When he saw Carmen being beaten, it still made his heart ache a little. However, that bit of heartache was nothing compared to the benefits Aubree could bring.

Trevor had already raised the cane for a second strike. Carmen squeezed her eyes shut in despair, bracing herself. Just as the cane was about to come down, the Wilson family’s front door was suddenly thrown open. “Stop!”

It was Daxton. He’d gotten there fast.

Aubree let out a small smile. But when Trevor saw it was Daxton, he didn’t stop. Instead, he brought the cane down even harder and faster.

“Ow! Daxton! It hurts, it hurts so much!” Carmen cried.

Daxton’s anger was blazing as he watched the scene unfold. In just a few quick strides, he rushed over and shoved Trevor hard. “What are you doing?”

Trevor staggered back a couple of steps. By the time he steadied himself, Daxton was already cradling Carmen in his arms, his face written all over with worry and pain, holding her protectively. He shot Trevor a furious glare.

“You’re back so soon, huh?” Trevor wasn’t the least bit intimidated, his eyes full of contempt. “You want to protect Carmen? Well, I’m just standing up for Aubree. Do you have a problem with that?”

The only people in the Wilson family that Trevor would even consider listening to were Bryan and Ronald.

Carmen, still trembling in Daxton’s arms, had taken two hard lashes from Trevor, who hadn’t held back at all. The pain was so intense that Carmen was still shaking uncontrollably.

Trevor’s words made Daxton’s eyes burn with anger. “Aubree? Where were you all those years ago when you didn’t even remember Aubree was your sister? Now you suddenly care?”

Aubree agreed with Daxton on that. She thought, Where were they back then? Now that I don’t need them, suddenly they want to act like I’m their daughter and sister?

Trevor’s expression turned cold in a flash. “Even if you’ve come back, it doesn’t change a thing. If Carmen doesn’t get the full punishment tonight, I’ll make sure she pays for it tomorrow, the day after, and every day after that. Unless you plan on never leaving her side, I’ll always find a way to get to her."

“Who are you refusing to let go of?”

The butler had already filled Alice in on what had happened. But the butler didn’t know the details. All he could tell Alice was that Aubree and Daxton were openly caring and were holding hands. Then, out of nowhere, Trevor decided to punish Carmen.

Alice immediately assumed that Aubree must have somehow gotten into Trevor’s head, turning him against Carmen, using her return to the Wilson family as a bargaining chip to make Trevor hurt Carmen.