Chapter 178 Punishing Cordelia
"Cordelia looked at Joyce, feeling guilty. ""If you're mad, it's because I accidentally let slip that you can't have kids. But I also told him we don't care as long as Sebastian likes you. That's all I said.""
Aurora slammed the table in anger. ""He's already sick, and you made it worse? Cordelia, this is on you. If you don't explain yourself, I won't forgive you! Derek, she's your wife. Handle it.""
Derek's face was cold. He knew why Cordelia did it.
He turned to Joyce, his voice hoarse. ""Joyce, Mr. Blackwood's death is on Cordelia. I'll make sure she apologizes at his grave and pays his family. The Blackwoods won't blame you, I promise. Is that okay? If you need anything else, just say the word.""
Derek, usually proud, had to humble himself. He knew this could affect Sebastian and Joyce's relationship, possibly ending their marriage.
Sebastian had finally found someone he wanted to marry, and Derek wouldn't let him lose that happiness.
No matter how much Joyce hated Cordelia, she couldn't be disrespectful in front of Aurora and Derek, who had always been good to her.
But with Cordelia in the way, her relationship with Sebastian was doomed to be rocky.
She clenched her fingers, her voice choked. ""Aurora, Derek, no matter what, my great-grandfather won't come back. We all know Cordelia's true intentions.
First, my dad was kidnapped, now my great-grandfather. People around me are getting hurt because of me.
I don't want to be selfish. I want to protect them. So, thank you for your support, but Sebastian and I can't be together. Here are your things back. Our engagement is over.""
Joyce placed the diamond ring, bracelet, and card Derek had given her on the table.
She turned to leave, but Sebastian grabbed her wrist.
His eyes were red. ""Joyce, I don't agree. You promised to trust me.""
Facing Sebastian's desperate eyes, Joyce's tears finally fell. She bit her lip, her voice choked. ""Sebastian, I've tried, but I can't risk my family's lives for love. Let's break up.""
Sebastian pulled her into his arms, pleading. ""Joyce, I'll handle the family issues. Please don't break up with me. I'm begging you.""
His heartfelt words made Joyce's throat ache.
She couldn't bear to leave him. But he was Cordelia's son, and she didn't want him caught in the middle.
If what Leonard said was true, and her dad's kidnapping was linked to Cordelia, it showed how powerful Cordelia was.
Cordelia's goal was to keep them apart. If Joyce kept fighting, who knew what would happen next? She couldn't risk her family's lives anymore.
Joyce wanted to hug Sebastian, but her hands stayed at her sides, fists clenched. Her voice was hoarse. ""Sebastian, let's take a break. My dad's not well. I need to see him.""
Sebastian kissed her head, his voice low. ""I'll take you back.""
He pulled Joyce to leave, but his gaze turned icy as he looked at Cordelia. ""Joyce and I will never break up. If you interfere again, I'll cut ties with you.""
Watching them leave, Aurora sighed. ""How did a happy event turn into a tragedy? Are we cursed?""
Derek stepped forward to comfort her. ""Mom, don't worry. I won't let them break up. I'll have someone keep an eye on Cordelia. She won't hurt Joyce again.""
Aurora's eyes reddened. ""We owe Cordelia two lives. Why should Joyce pay for it? Seeing them like this hurts me so much.""
Cordelia's mother had saved her son, and Cordelia had saved her once. Because of these two lives, the Winters Family hadn't treated Cordelia harshly, despite knowing her true nature.
But why did her grandson's happiness have to be the price? She wished Cordelia had never saved her.
Aurora, in deep pain, looked coldly at Cordelia. ""This has caused harm. I won't let it go. As the daughter-in-law of the Winters Family, you've shown no decency and have cruelly messed up your children's happiness. If I let you go, God won't forgive me.
If the law can't punish you, I will. Timothy, bring the whip. According to family rules, those who cause harm resulting in death get a hundred lashes.""
Cordelia was terrified and begged for mercy. ""Mom, I didn't do it on purpose. That old man was going to die anyway. You can't put this all on me. I told the truth. I don't accept this punishment.""
Aurora snorted. ""You have to accept it. In this house, I make the rules. I've been too lenient. If you don't want to be part of the Winters Family, I can spare you.""
Cordelia knew Aurora wanted to force her to ask for a divorce. Her goal wasn't achieved yet. She wouldn't leave the Winters Family now.
She gritted her teeth. ""I accept the punishment.""
The whip was a horsewhip, and it would tear the skin with each hit. A hundred lashes would leave her half-dead. Soon, the sound of the whip and Cordelia's painful screams echoed in the hall.
Sebastian took Joyce to her doorstep. Just as he was about to follow her in, Joyce stopped him. ""This is far enough. You should go back.""
""Didn't you say our dad's heart isn't well? I'll just take a quick look and leave.""
Seeing the pleading look in Sebastian's eyes and hearing him call her dad ""our dad,"" Joyce felt incredibly sad.
She couldn't be cruel to him. As they walked into the hall, Joyce smelled her favorite food.
Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea. She couldn't help but retch and ran to the bathroom."
