Karen’s contorted face was brutally exposed to the Wells family. No one could have imagined the despicable person hidden beneath the gentle, kind, obedient girl. Consequently, despite her weakened state, they offered no sympathy. Recalling years of deception, their fury ignited.

Robert Wells was particularly enraged; his world felt shattered. His daughter's unkindness was devastating enough, but the discovery of her depraved thoughts was unbearable. He couldn't comprehend such darkness within her. Though shrewd in business, Robert had always adhered to his principles as family provider, never harming others. Now, he faced an unforgivable daughter.

"Get me the whip!" Robert roared at the maid. Wells family discipline dictated that sin be punished with the whip. Only Oscar had previously endured this, his skin nearly lacerated, confining him to bed for a week. Now, Karen faced the same.

Robert's words terrified Karen. The vivid memory of Oscar's bloodied whipping returned, along with her past diary entries expressing hatred for Robert. The severity of the impending punishment was almost unbelievable. Having endured countless surgeries and their subsequent pain, even the slightest discomfort was unbearable. Whipping was unthinkable.

Anxiously, she scrambled to her feet, clutching Venus's shirt. "Mum, I don't want Dad to whip me! Please!"

Venus was frustrated and angry. Maternal sorrow and agony warred with rage and shame at her daughter's despicable thoughts.

"Mum, I'm sorry! I won't hurt anyone again. I won't see Oscar anymore! Please stop Dad, I'll die! Save me!" Karen's tears streamed. Once again, she was weak and pitiful.

But Venus remained unmoved, unfazed by Karen's pleas. She stood rooted, staring silently.

"Mum, do you want me to die? You love me! Raising me wasn't easy; you suffered with every surgery. You won't let Dad whip me…"

"Enough!" Venus pushed Karen away.

Karen stared in disbelief at her aloof mother, the loving mother she knew now seemingly distant and cold.

"Every time you were sick, I blamed myself. Every surgery, I cursed my failure to give you a healthy body. I'd give my life for you. But now, I wish I'd never had a daughter like you. My love and sympathy created this monster."

Karen was stunned. Her mother's disgust was palpable. Her consciousness felt like it was fading. Weakly shaking her head, feeling utterly abandoned, she screamed, "You're all to blame! You gave me this unhealthy body! Trapped at home, I couldn't live a normal life; no running, no friends, no love! I suffered, you all caused this misery! You're all responsible for making me this way! Why are you healthy and free while I'm trapped? Why?"

Everyone was stunned by her frantic outburst. Her sickening demeanor replaced the love they once held.

"It's true, I love Oscar! With all my heart!" Karen declared, a strange confidence in her voice. "Am I wrong? No, you are! I've had few friends. I only like those I know. If not David, then Thomas, then Oscar. What choice did I have?"

"Karen!" Robert's roar shook the house.

"You should be grateful Oscar wants me. After all, Oscar isn't your…"

A sharp slap silenced her. Robert's blow stunned Karen. Never before had anyone been so cruel. The force was immense, blurring her hearing. Tears streamed down her face, but no sympathy was forthcoming.

"Get me the whip!" Robert's face twisted in rage.

The maid, hesitant, shakily handed him the rattan.

"I'll teach you a lesson!" Robert declared.

Horror filled Karen's eyes. The brutal family punishment was imminent. She trembled, staggering back as her father approached. Then, the rattan fell.

"Dad!" Hannah lunged forward, shielding Karen. The whip struck Hannah instead.

Robert's hand trembled in surprise. Oscar clenched his fists.

'What a reckless woman!' he thought.

"I told you about Karen, not to punish her, but to help her," Hannah said.