The Devils Claim

Chapter 17 The Price of Defiance

That had already become a habit—her body was familiar with the marks of the rattan. Because she was born out of wedlock and was unloved, her rebellion became stronger, leading to even more pain.

Her stubbornness was just like this!

Maxwell gripped the rattan, relentlessly whipping it down onto Katherine's back. "You have no manners! I tell you, stop talking back to me! I tell you, stop stealing your sister's man…”

The long rattan, rigid and cold, struck Katherine’s body over and over. The seams of her meticulous dress split open, revealing her pale and tender skin, now marked with red welts.

Katherine grunted in pain, but she was never willing to cry out. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. The luxurious setting in front of her blurred through her tear-filled vision.

The rattan striking her body brought excruciating pain, and she couldn’t help but tremble...

He never treated her like a daughter, yet she had always viewed him as a father. Her presence in this world, with only one relative, had led to her rebelliousness, her irritation—but she never gained his affection or his favor.

There was…

But it was only a mere charity, provided to her because of her sister.

Her sister was efficient and beautiful, elegantly clad in an exquisite uniform as she moved in and out of the company. She was Maxwell's right-hand woman, a graceful socialite among the elite, contributing tremendously to the entire family.

However...

Without her sister, it was like losing the backbone of the family.

The Sinclair family would lose many things.

Katherine’s defiance was the final straw that destroyed the Sinclair family. The whole world was laughing at Maxwell for having such a daughter!

As she thought about this, Katherine didn't even realize how many lashes she had taken. When did he stop? Julian, marginally unable to bear it, spoke up for her: "Dad, Dad... That's enough."

Maxwell slumped onto the sofa, his gaze fixed on Katherine’s battered back, his eyes full of complex emotions.

With great effort, she propped herself up. "Have you had enough? Is it about time you took a break, old man?"

With that, she dragged her wounded body off, her back turned, stepping out of the hall one step at a time.

Maxwell watched her receding figure and roared in a low voice, "Will you only leave Leon when you're beaten to death?"

Katherine lowered her head in a bitter smile. If dying could truly set her free, let death be her salvation. But she still owed her sister so much.

Julian rushed forward in frustration, blocking Katherine's path. "Are you content only when you've grieved Father to death? Must you be this self-deprecating?"

Katherine lifted her head slightly. "It's none of your business. Step aside!"

"Katherine!" Julian whipped off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. But the stubborn and proud woman tore off the blood-stained fabric and flung it fiercely back at him. "I don't need your sympathy."

Julian stood rooted to the ground. Her stubbornness wasn't a surprise; he'd seen it previously.

Supporting herself, Katherine walked out of the Sinclair family's elaborately sculpted gates only to see Mother Lane standing in front of her, her face lined with tear streaks.

The older woman reached out with a trembling hand to wipe her tears. "Silly girl, don't you know the more you resist, the more it hurts? Why are you still so hard-headed?"

Barely holding back her sobs, Katherine's tears finally flowed like a river bursting its banks. She threw herself into Mother Lane’s arms. "Mother Lane, every time I'm beaten, you give me a candy. Do you still have some today?"

Mother Lane gently patted her shoulder. "No matter how old you get, Katherine, Mother Lane will always have a candy for you." With trembling hands, she fumbled out a small sweet from her bag and popped it into Katherine’s mouth, simultaneously wrapping a coat around her. Handing her a bottle of medicine, she advised, "Take this home and rub some on yourself. Next time you come over, apologize to the master. Don't be so stubborn anymore