“Actually, he…”
Chapter 393
Lionel wiped the tears from his swollen eyes and continued, “Mr. Freeman was actually the… captain of the National Investigation Bureau’s Fourteenth Team. That day, an urgent order came from the bureau, something significant enough to warrant his recall. However, he didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye and wished to complete one last task for you. So, he requested a three–day delay, and the injuries he suffered were the consequences of disobeying orders.”
Internal disruption within the family was serious, and any delay risked the entire structure collapsing. There was a constant danger of losing control, and even a one–day delay could lead to the loss of power.
This was far from a simple matter.
Even so, Elijah willingly accepted the punishment for Sheena’s sake, choosing to postpone it for three days.
Lionel hid his sympathy and added, “He was whipped thirty lashes until he vomited blood. In the end, the executioner couldn’t bear it and stopped after twenty lashes.”
Sheena looked at the bloodied shirt in her hands, struggling to understand. ” What kind of whip was it? How did he end up being injured to this extent and vomiting blood with just twenty lashes?!”
“It was not an ordinary whip. It was a black whip with gold threads covered in fine barbs. A gentle flick would draw blood, especially from an unrelenting executioner. Each lash could penetrate the flesh, and given his burns, the area on his back capable of enduring the punishment was limited. The final five lashes struck his lower back…”
Lionel could not continue, both angry and heartbroken.
Sheena could not even imagine the situation, and the pain was coursing through her body at the mere thought.
With pre–existing injuries on his back, how did Elijah withstand such a severe punishment?
No wonder he faced trouble this time. He was carrying such heavy injuries and still trying to assassinate the man in black for her sake.
It was simply digging his own grave.
Sheena held the blood–soaked shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white, and she felt a lump in her throat.
However, Lionel was still present, so she forcefully suppressed the urge to cry.
Seeing that Sheena was fully aware of the truth, though visibly distressed, still did not shed a tear, Lionel felt a deep sense of injustice for Elijah.
Why did Elijah have to fall for such an unyielding woman?
However, as a subordinate and an observer, Lionel had no right to criticize Sheena’s actions. He sighed, trying to maintain a steady tone.
“I came here today to bid farewell to you, Ms. Sheena. I’m leaving. I was Mr. Freeman’s subordinate, and now that he’s gone, I have to report to my new superior. I probably won’t return to Farlem. Ms. Sheena, take care.”
Sheena just stared at him, remaining silent.
Lionel lowered his sorrowful gaze and walked toward the door. After taking a couple of steps, he felt a lingering reluctance.
“No one is born understanding love. He thought he owed Jennifer a debt, so he forced himself to like her, not realizing he had fallen for you during the three years of marriage. Even when Jennifer approached, he never touched her.”
“As for the incident when you jumped from the plane, it was all Leon’s scheme, and Elijah had no knowledge of it. He searched the mountains for you for nearly half a month, being hunted by Mr. Corey, only to receive your revenge, humiliation, and torment.”
‘Every time you were in danger, he risked his life to save you. He endured your bullying and abuse without a single complaint. He abandoned his pride, spending every day humbly making amends. Are you not… moved?”
Lionel’s words ruthlessly pierced her heart. The pain spread, and there was not a part of her body that did not ache. She bit her lip until it bled, overwhelming guilt and self–blame threatening to engulf her entirely.
“I–I’m sorry…”
As she uttered these words, her voice was hoarse.
Lionel sighed again, concealing the strange emotions in his eyes, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Once he was gone, Sheena hugged the blood–stained shirt to her chest, tears streaming uncontrollably, crying until she lost her voice.
Sheena suddenly recalled the day they returned from the abandoned factory, and Elijah sat in the car so rigidly. Now, she understood it was because he could not lean back due to the pain. When climbing the stairs, he held onto the railing,,
Chapter 23
likely because of the injury on his lower back, each step causing him excruciating pain.
Sheena was filled with regret, pounding her chest heavily. Every tear that fell carried indescribable heartache and sorrow.
How could he have exposed so many flaws if he was not in such extreme pain, enduring the unbearable?
Yet, she was oblivious to it all…
That night, he endured the intense pain, boldly seeking comfort in her arms, captivated by the warmth he found there.
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