Julian took the whip from Aurora, who recounted to him the various cruelties Zachary had inflicted upon her in the past. He had stabbed her hand with a compass, placed snakes in her bed, hid large spiders in her backpack, and even shredded the clothes she was to wear for a competition. Every day, Aurora lived in the shadow of Zachary and Ivy, constantly vigilant against their schemes to torment her.
Recalling the cautious Aurora of old pained Julian, who was unaware of the many troubles that had transpired within the Montgomery family. Now that Zachary was at his mercy, Julian was not about to let this opportunity slip by. Grandpa Montgomery also approved of Aurora’s plan, stating, “Alright, Julian will take my place. Do not stop unless I say so.”
Julian was eager to begin, replying, “Yes, Grandpa.” The doors were now closed, and Zachary had missed his chance to escape, retreating step by step. “Mr., Mr. Barnett, please no!” he pleaded.
“Mr. Montgomery, I am only following orders. Please, don’t make this difficult for me,” he said, though he quickened his step. A lash from the whip elicited a scream from Zachary, who had hoped Julian would merely make a show of it. To his dismay, Julian struck much harder than Grandpa Montgomery ever did.
Zachary didn’t have time to tend to his wounds and took off running. The living room was spacious enough; if he could just run fast enough, Julian wouldn’t be able to hit him. His ability to run fast was perhaps his only strength, having been a sprint champion at sports meets.
He thought he was fast enough, but Julian was faster and soon caught up with him. Another lash struck him on the back, causing Zachary to increase his pace in response to the pain. Although fast, Zachary lacked stamina, and Julian, maintaining a steady pace, whipped him every time he slowed down.
Zachary felt like a horse that gets whipped for slowing down; Julian was clearly doing this on purpose. Aurora watched with delight. If Julian had subdued Zachary with a few lashes, what fun would there be left?
This was a double blow for Zachary, both physically and mentally. He dreaded Julian’s next strike, always unexpected. Meanwhile, Aurora sat nearby, enjoying the rare spectacle, as Zachary’s cries filled the room.
“Grandpa, I think that’s enough. He should know his lesson by now,” Aurora said after she had seen enough, continuing to ingratiate herself with the old man. They were all villains, and she played the role of the wise and caring granddaughter. Genevieve truly regretted letting Aurora escape to America.
She should have dealt with her when she was still a vulnerable child, rather than letting her grow into such a sly fox. “Alright, for your sake, I’ll spare him for now. Julian, stop,” Grandpa Montgomery said, his anger subsiding somewhat.
After all, Zachary’s wails were pitiful, and he was still his grandson, which softened Grandpa Montgomery’s heart. “Mom, I’m in so much pain!” Zachary complained, limping over with his back, buttocks, and legs severely beaten.
Genevieve felt pity but suppressed her complex emotions. “Apologize to your grandfather,” she instructed. She knew that Julian had brought this up precisely to disrupt their plans to enter the company.
As long as his grandfather didn’t change his mind, suffering a bit was just that-suffering.
“Grandpa, I know I was wrong. I was led astray in a moment of folly. I promise I’ll never dare again. Please forgive me,” Zachary pleaded with a mournful face.
“And the money?”
“Grandpa, rest assured, I’ve already paid it back. I won’t touch gambling ever again.” It was best for Zachary to admit his mistakes now.
Grandpa Montgomery snorted coldly, “We’ll let this go, but don’t think about joining the company anymore. With your kind of behavior, how can I trust you to manage anything, especially not the purchasing department.”
The head of purchasing could easily rake in money, and seeing Zachary like this, Grandpa Montgomery couldn’t dare to entrust him with such a department.
“Dad, you can’t just go back on your word. Look, Zachary already realizes his mistake,” Genevieve hurriedly interjected.
“I had no idea he had done such a foolish thing before! It infuriates me. Anyway, his father has many friends; let him find work at another company,” Grandpa Montgomery decreed.
“Grandpa, I know I was wrong. Please give me another chance.” Zachary wasn’t really keen on any director position; he just didn’t want to lose out on company shares if he couldn’t enter the firm.
Going to another company would truly be the end for them. He didn’t want to spend his life as a mere clerk or junior manager.
“Grandpa, it wasn’t my fault. You can’t keep both of us from entering the company,” Ivy, also implicated, felt deeply unhappy.
“With the way you two are, I just can’t feel secure right now,” Grandpa Montgomery was tired of the back-and-forth. After such a major blunder by Zachary, who could say he wouldn’t mess up again?
“Dad, the kids have been punished. Let’s write off the past issues. I believe Zachary has learned his lesson and will reform,” Magnus also began to plead.
Aurora, seeing a softening in Grandpa Montgomery’s eyes, calmly added, “Grandpa, I think we should put an end to this matter. They’ve been punished. If we send them to other companies, wouldn’t it just invite idle talk?”
“What do you suggest?”
“You had agreed earlier to let them join the company. Even though Zachary made a grave mistake this time, I think we should still give them a chance. If you’re worried, let them start as regular clerks. There’s a recruitment drive in a few days; let them apply.”
Aurora’s proposal saved Ivy and Zachary, but it also made it more challenging for them to enter the company. Initially, Grandpa Montgomery wanted them as managers, but now they might enter only as low-level clerks.
“That’s a good plan. Did you hear that? When the time comes, you apply. Whether you can join the company will depend on your own abilities,” Grandpa Montgomery said coolly.
“Yes, Grandpa,” they muttered under their breath, cursing Aurora thousands of times.
“And you two need to change your attitudes as well. Don’t bring your school habits here, talking about family matters to everyone. Even if you stay, your identities must not be revealed. You are just ordinary employees, remember that!”
“Grandpa, we understand,” the two responded, heads hanging low like defeated roosters.