The man’s brow held a hard, cold light. “That hit is for you failing to understand your place.”
“Kiara, I told you Dorothy is pregnant. Laying a hand on her means challenging me.”
Kiara was struck down onto the ground. The crowd nearby kept their distance, treating her like bad luck, afraid of being involved.
Supporting herself with both hands, she rose slowly, refusing to lower her head.
“The slap has already happened. What else do you plan to do?”
Neither side showed any sign of giving in.
Her best friend, Gwynne, already anxious, stepped forward to calm her.
“Kiara, forget about this. Let’s just go.”
Dorothy’s feet were red from the burn. How could she let it pass? Grabbing Hugo’s collar, she wept, “Brother Hugo, it hurts so badly. If I’m injured like this, will the baby be at risk of miscarriage?”
“Brother Hugo, I’m frightened. I’m worried your wife will hurt my child. Even with you here, she treats me like this. If you weren’t, she surely wouldn’t let me off.”
Hugo’s expression darkened instantly. He gestured for the bodyguards to grab Kiara and mocked her.
“Leave? Who gave you permission?”
“If you make a mistake, you face the consequences.”
“She enjoys pouring hot water on others? Let her feel it herself.”
Before Kiara could move, someone had already carried over a large bowl of boiling water.
The bodyguards pressed Kiara onto her knees, while Gwynne was also held down.
Hugo brought Dorothy closer and held her hand. “No matter how she bullied you earlier, bully her the same way.”
Both of them stood frozen at the same time.
Kiara never thought Hugo would go this far for her.
Although it was midsummer, a coldness spread through her entire body.
Dorothy was secretly happy, yet she appeared timid and weak.
“Brother Hugo, let’s drop it. I think my sister acted without intention. Even if you stand up for me today, when you’re not here, she won’t treat me kindly.”
Dorothy looked weak on the outside, yet it only made the situation worse.
Hugo said, “Don’t be scared. With me here, who would dare lay a hand on you? This is what she deserves.”
Once he finished speaking, he led Dorothy’s hand and tipped the basin, letting the boiling water spill over Kiara’s head.
The boiling water instantly damaged her skin. She fell to the ground, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Hugo’s figure slowly faded from her sight as he left with Dorothy.
In the end, love depended on a person’s conscience.