Chapter 373
Immediately, Elijah: a smooth back was mercilessly slashed by the barbs of the whip. Blood streaks appeared vividly, and intense pain overtook him.
With just the first lash, Elijah’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. He clenched his teeth, every muscle in his body tense, yet he maintained an erect posture, enduring in complete silence.
Grant had noticed the bandage in the center of Elijah’s undershirt when he removed his clothes, intentionally avoiding the injured area. However, this meant there were fewer places on Elijah’s back that could withstand the punishment.
By the fifteenth lash, the upper half of Elijah’s back, separated by the bandage, was a gruesome canvas of crossing blood streaks.
Elijah’s breathing grew heavier, veins throbbing on his forehead. Even his eyelashes trembled uncontrollably. Nonetheless, he tightly pressed his lips, determined not to emit a single sound of humiliation.
In a self–deprecating moment, he realized that after more than a decade away from home, he had almost forgotten his true identity. He had thought of himself as just a pampered heir of the Freeman family, ignorant of the weakening impact of a life of indulgence on his ability to endure punishment.
Grant’s hand holding the whip trembled as the entire upper half of Elijah’s back was now drenched in blood. Faced with the prospect of worsening the existing wounds, Grant hesitated. Shifting his focus to Elijah’s lower back, he swung the whip again, producing a series of cracking sounds as five lashes landed on it.
Elijah’s body violently trembled, and finally, his upright posture collapsed. He extended a hand to support himself, preventing an embarrassing fall. The whip sounds behind him ceased abruptly.
Suddenly, Elijah felt an intense pain in his chest, and he spat a mouthful of blood.
“Sir!” Lionel was horrified, his eyes reddened.
Witnessing the twenty lashes, his heart quivered, and several times, he resisted the urge to rush forward and snatch the whip away.
“Stop! Let’s go back right now!”
“Lionel!” Elijah took a moment to catch his breath, then gave him a fierce glare. You’re just a subordinate in my National Investigation Bureau; you don’t get a say here!”
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“If this goes one, you’ll be dead!” Lionel’s voice choked with sobs as he shouted, ”
Chapter 373
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The S404 virus in your body is only suppressed, not cured! With such heavy injuries and weakened resistance, the virus will soon spread! You will die!”
Elijah seemed to ignore him, forcefully pinching his thigh, and with sheer
determination, he straightened his back, maintaining the most standard posture for punishment.
Was it painful?
It was excruciating.
However, he could not leave without a word, especially when there was still a threat to Sheena. He needed to eliminate the last trouble for her before leaving without any regrets. Besides, if he turned back now, the twenty lashes he endured earlier would be in vain.
“Let’s continue.”
Lionel’s voice trembled as he begged, “No! Stop it!”
Elijah completely ignored him. “Uncle Grant, continue!”
Lionel, infuriated, with eyes burning red and fists clenched until they turned pale, was powerless as an outsider in this situation. There was nothing he could do with Elijah acting so stubbornly.
Grant remained motionless. From their conversation, he gathered that Elijah seemed seriously injured this time. He turned his gaze back to Elijah’s back. If they continued, the last ten lashes would have to land entirely on his lower back.
After some contemplation, Grant looked at the two bodyguards inside, the room. There’s no need to guard here. Go outside.”
“Yes.”
Once the two bodyguards were completely outside, Grant took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from the whip. Only then did he raise the whip again. Ten consecutive lashes followed, their cracking sounds echoing loudly.
