In the Huo family's villa
Crack! Went the whip! A man was kneeling in the middle of the living room, and a line was drawn across his back. Blood welled in that line. He was being beaten by a whip the thickness of a man's finger. The beating was merciless, the whip striping the man's back with welts and torn flesh.
Crack! Crack! Crack! The clothing the man wore was sliced to bloodstained ribbons.
The beaten man was in his twenties. He was dressed in black casual clothing, and his face had well-defined angles. He clenched his teeth and endured the pain. He didn't beg for mercy at all.
The men standing nearby were frightened, shuddering. They squeezed their eyes shut with every stroke.
When the whip was about to land on the man's back again, someone opened the door and peeked in. A girl wearing a light yellow dress darted towards them. "Dad! Don't! Why did you hit him? Stop it!" She rushed to the man kneeling on the floor and spread her arms to protect him.
Whip in hand, Carlos looked at his younger daughter and ordered in a cold voice, "Get up."
Terilynn shook her head. Tears streamed down her red cheeks as she looked at the welts on his back. "Dad, Evelyn said the sex was consensual and she didn't blame that guy. She asked you not to interfere. This had nothing to do with Tayson. What did he do to deserve this?"
The man in her arms had a pale face. Terilynn's protection made his heart flutter.
Carlos, on the other hand, grew angrier when he thought of what had happened to Evelyn. He treated Evelyn like a princess; her every wish was his to grant. But now she was in the hospital, hurt because of another guy. Flames of rage danced in his gaze. He turned to look at the bodyguards in the room and ordered,
"Take her away."
"Yes, Mr. Huo."
Terilynn, however, refused to let go. She held Tayson Jin tightly and yelled at the top of her lungs, "Dad! You can't do this to him. You could kill him! Dad!"
Although Carlos knew her feelings for Tayson Jin, he feigned ignorance and asked, "Terilynn, why are you protecting him?"
She was stunned and lowered her head to avoid looking her father in the eye. "I... I... I'll go to my room," she stammered.
Her dress was now stained with blood, blood that wasn't hers. She got to her feet and shuffled toward the stairs.
Carlos raised the whip and was about to hit Tayson Jin again when Terilynn suddenly turned her head to face her father. "Dad, Tayson saved my life more than once. If you have to beat him, then beat me first. I owe him."
The bodyguards were startled.
Tayson Jin, whose eyes were shut, opened his eyes and stared at the girl with firm eyes. His hands balled into fists.
Carlos was so irritated by his daughter. "He's our bodyguard. He's supposed to protect you. You don't owe him a thing," he said angrily.
"No, you're wrong." Terilynn walked over to them. "He's Evelyn's bodyguard, not mine. He protects her, not me. You always taught us to seek ways to repay others in kind. Now It's my turn. Go ahead!"
Saying that, Terilynn knelt on the floor next to Tayson Jin, ignoring the others' shocked expressions.
Tayson Jin took a deep breath, trying to hide his emotions and agony, and said in a hoarse voice, "Miss Huo, don't—"
"This is my decision, not yours. You won't change my mind," Terilynn said. At this moment, she looked like her father—domineering and bossy.
Carlos sneered in his mind. "Fine! Since you're asking for it, then I'll do as you wish."
He raised the whip to strike.
"Mr. Huo, no!"
"Mr. Huo, please don't!"
The people in the room all spoke up, trying to stop him from this wicked deed.
Clenching his teeth, Tayson Jin moved forward to kneel between Carlos and Terilynn. "Mr. Huo, it's my fault. I didn't do my job protecting Miss Evelyn Huo. But Miss Terilynn Huo didn't do anything wrong. Please don't punish her."
Terilynn raised her head and looked at his resolute face, his determination, eyes full of affection.
"Then I'll beat you both," Carlos spat coldly.
Terilynn held Tayson Jin in her arms and yelled, "Dad, Evelyn's still in a coma and Mom's taking care of her. Hit me if you want, but do you really wanna try and explain that to Mom?"
Terilynn knew how to deal with her father, and that was to drag Debbie into it.
As expected, Carlos dropped the whip and looked at his daughter, who had a smug expression on her face. "You should be at the hospital anyway. Why did you come back?"
"I knew you kept us busy so you could punish Tayson. He's worked for us for over ten years. Whenever Evelyn was in danger, he put his life on the line to save her. Besides, it was Evelyn's choice to date that guy. And Tayson did what she told him. You can't blame him for that. Instead of punishing him, you should go look for the jerk who hurt Evelyn."
A myriad of feelings flooded through Tayson Jin when Terilynn pleaded his case.
Rage flashed in Carlos' eyes. Finally, he said, "You've got a silver tongue."
"It's the truth," Terilynn argued. She knew her father wasn't that angry now, so she got up from the floor and helped Tayson Jin to his feet.
Carlos turned to the bodyguard and said in a serious tone, "Fine. We're done here. But you are, too. Evelyn's hurt badly, and you didn't do what I pay you for. I don't have room for failure."
Tayson Jin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Mr. Huo."
"You'll—"
"Dad!" Before Carlos could finish, Terilynn interrupted him.
Carlos wasn't used to defiance. His face darkened. "Terilynn!" he called out angrily.
"Dad, aren't you planning on flying Evelyn to America? Mainly because they have the resources to help her? How are you going to find a competent man to go with her and protect her there? You can't, at least not quickly. Why not let Tayson do it? You can decide what to do with him after they get back," she suggested.
"Hey, Miss Huo, I know what you're trying to do, but I'll do whatever your father says," Tayson Jin said.
"Dad, I said you should look for the jerk who hurt Evelyn. Just think about what I said, okay? Dad, just be rational."
"Miss Huo..." Tayson Jin tried to stop her from talking. Seeing that Carlos' face was as dark as ink, Tayson Jin stood before Terilynn and said, "Mr. Huo, I'll do whatever you want."
Carlos looked at Terilynn with chilly eyes. She shuddered and pouted, "What, Dad? What did I say? You of all people—"
"Tayson!" Carlos suddenly said, cutting her off. The bodyguard snapped to attention.
"You'll fly to America with Evelyn the day after tomorrow. If she gets hurt again, you will kill yourself. Got it?"
After a pause, Tayson Jin answered, "Yes, Mr. Huo."
Terilynn heaved a sigh of relief since Carlos decided to let Tayson Jin off the hook. She wanted to hug the bodyguard. But Carlos was here and she was not sure if Tayson Jin had the same feelings for her. She let it go and tried not to think about it.
Carlos stared at Terilynn, and she made an excuse to get out of there. "Well, the only reason I'm here is to get something for Evelyn. I'll get to it."
After saying that, she rushed up the stairs.