Chapter 56

"Ben, I've made up my mind to punish him this way, so save your breath. Bring me the whip now," Harold ordered, his tone unyielding. Realizing he had no choice but to obey Harold, Ben gave Joseph a sympathetic look and stood up. He went into the study and brought the whip out, presenting it to Harold as if it were some sacred artifact. The whip was made of black leather. It was soft to the touch but was covered entirely in densely packed barbs. Harold had only ever used this whip on mercenaries who had betrayed the Lynch family. The old man glanced at the dusty barbed whip and rose to his feet. He dusted it off by cracking the whip against the floor, the sound echoing through the room as the leather sliced through the air. Yvonne and Samantha blanched at the thunderous crack. The former was the first to break the tense silence. "Grandpa, I know Joseph was wrong, but… isn't it a little harsh to whip him?" Joseph was her brother, after all. She couldn't bear to see him get whipped.