Lily, in turn, was arrested for defamation, as her allegations spiraled into baseless slander.
The investigations uncovered financial irregularities within Sterling Corporation, and the company was slapped with a hefty fine of fourteen million dollars. Though the matter was resolved, the damage had been done.
Sterling Corporation had lost a significant portion of its staff, and many partnerships dissolved during the investigation, leaving the company in a weakened state.
Elliot Sterling, the family patriarch, had long withdrawn from the business, choosing a quiet, secluded life in the mountains.
This incident stirred up yet another wave of turmoil.
Elliot, seeing how gaunt and frail his grandson had become, let out a heavy sigh. Once the company’s situation had slightly stabilized, he summoned Jack back home.
Thud!
The sharp sound of Elliot’s cane striking the ground echoed through the room.
“Kneel!”
Jack, pale and emaciated, dropped to his knees. His once-strong frame now looked as though it could collapse under its own weight.
“Jack, is this how I taught you?” Elliot’s voice thundered, his chest rising and falling in anger. “How many times did I warn you to stay true to your heart? A man who cherishes his wife will thrive, and what did you promise me back then? And now? Look at what you’ve done!”
The cane struck the ground repeatedly, its dull thuds mirroring Elliot’s fury.
Jack lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse as he rasped out, “I was wrong… I… I failed Freya… I’m sorry…”
Elliot shook his head, his disappointment palpable.
“You need to be punished!”
Elliot motioned to the butler, who returned carrying a polished black rod tipped with sharp spikes, each blow designed to rip through flesh.
Without hesitation, the butler swung it hard, and Jack let out a muffled groan as blood immediately seeped through his clothes.
Though he gritted his teeth and tried to endure, his weakened body couldn’t hold out for long.
After just one blow, he swayed unsteadily and collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Years ago, when Jack was just a teenager, he had made mistakes and endured over a dozen strikes without faltering.
Now, seeing him collapse after just one blow, Elliot panicked.
He immediately ordered someone to fetch the family doctor to tend to Jack.
After receiving treatment, Jack finally managed to get a proper rest.
In his haze of exhaustion, he seemed to drift back into the past—to the day Freya had accepted his proposal.
He had dressed to the nines, his heart brimming with joy as he confessed his love to her.
“Freya, will you marry me? I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life. You’re the only one.”
Clutching the meticulously designed ring, his hand trembled, his heart pounding with…
