Chapter 72
“This has nothing to do with her, and I won’t let you fire her over something so minor. If someone has to take the fall, let it be me p>
Barnard stood in front of Davina without a hint of hesitation, protecting her like always. His clear bias was obvious, so much so that even Calvin shot a glance over at Camilla. Barnard had never bothered to hide his loyalty to Davina, not even in front of his own wife. Even Calvin was starting to think he was going overboard.
“Alright. Looks like it’s time for you to get a wake-up call. Jackson, bring the whip,” Calvin said.
“Wait, please, he—” Laura hurried over, voice tight with worry. Barnard was her pride and joy, the child she could never bear to see hurt. But Calvin’s eyes were already stone cold.
“He volunteered for this. Nobody’s stepping in to defend him today,” Calvin said, leaving no room for argument.
Jackson was back in a flash, whip in hand. Barnard didn’t protest. He simply knelt down in front of Calvin, silent and stubborn.
The moment Davina saw the black whip, her face went white. “Calvin, Laura, don’t do this. Please, just punish me. I was tricked, I never meant for any of this. Please, don’t hurt Barnard because of me. Camilla, you have to help him. He’s your husband. Please, say something p>
Davina’s voice broke as she pleaded, eyes streaming, almost ready to drop to her knees before Camilla.
Camilla looked right at her, sharp and unsparing. “Dad’s made it clear. If you’re really that worried about Barnard, if you don’t want to see him get hurt, then you could always leave the Carter family p>
Her words hung in the air, blunt and unforgiving. Davina froze, unable to muster a response. She looked away, eyes shifting quickly, but everyone could see how shaken she was. Even Laura frowned, uncertain, watching Davina with a hint of suspicion.
Only Barnard was unwavering in his defense. “That’s enough, Camilla. I don’t know what you’re trying to do. I’ve told you so many times about Davina’s situation. Why are you so set on forcing her out? Are you trying to ruin her life? I’ll take whatever punishment you want. If you all want to blame someone, blame me p>
He spoke with the confidence of a martyr.
Then the whip came down. The loud crack split the air, following by the smack of leather against skin. The room went quiet except for the awful sound. Davina, kneeling beside Barnard, started to sob, torn between fear and guilt.
The whipping continued, relentless. Before long, Barnard’s shirt ripped open and blood began to seep through the torn fabric, leaving him battered and broken.
Laura rushed to grab Calvin’s arm, desperate. “Stop, Calvin, that’s enough. Barnard’s never suffered like this before. This wasn’t even that serious. He’s learned his lesson p>
Calvin shook her off, voice stern. “Step aside. He needs to wake up p>
He pushed Laura away and struck again. Barnard grunted in pain, bracing himself against the blows.
But Calvin wasn’t just disciplining Barnard. He was putting on a show for Camilla. No matter how he really felt about Camilla, she was still the lady of the Carter family, and Barnard’s actions had embarrassed her in front of everyone. If Camilla had gone public with the ugly drama between Barnard and the housemaid, it would have created even more chaos. The fact that she kept it private was already considerate.
Laura, out of options, gave up pleading and retreated to the corner, wiping away her tears.
Now, all you could hear in the room was the whistle of the whip and the quiet sobbing of Laura and Davina.
Camilla watched Davina with an icy stare. Barnard might have stepped in to protect Davina again, but Calvin now had doubts about the two of them that wouldn’t go away. Camilla knew Calvin would be keeping an eye on them from now on.
The drama ended only when Barnard slumped to the floor and passed out.
Laura panicked and called the servants to carry Barnard to bed, telling Jackson to fetch a doctor. Davina hurried over to help support him, still choking back her tears.
Calvin put down the whip, turned to Camilla, and called her into his study.
“That thing didn’t do anything to Jasper, did it p>
Camilla shook her head. “Don’t worry, Dad. The second I realized something was off, I went to Jade Spring Abbey for help. It’s been sorted out. But as long as someone like that is living with us, there’s no telling what she might try next. We got lucky this time. Who knows what could happen to Jasper in the future p>
Calvin’s voice softened. “You don’t need to worry about it anymore. I’ll make sure she moves out as soon as possible. As for Barnard… he’s just too sentimental. He doesn’t have the kind of feelings you’re worried about, so don’t let it bother you. If anything ever makes you uncomfortable, just come straight to me. I’ll take care of it p>