Chapter 895: Chapter 894
Sometimes Sean would think that she was a bit manipulative, but she was his sister after all, so he let it slide. Who could have imagined the face on the surveillance footage?
When his biological sister first came back to the family, he thought all sisters were like Serena, all mind games and clinginess, maybe even relentless. Fresh to high society, she likely felt timid and out of place.
At that time, he was nursing a serious injury, hanging onto life by a thread, and had no energy to deal with her or cater to her feelings.
He dreaded a girl’s tears - what if she was a crybaby?
As word got around that she was becoming the family’s darling, he figured she must be playing a game more sophisticated than Serena’s. Otherwise, how could she have won everyone over so quickly?
Turned out his sis had real skills, a unique charm that captivated everyone. She was nothing like the "sister" in his head.
Watching Serena, he suddenly realized that Serena was leagues behind. Rose was subtle yet formidable, wise and resolute, with solid morals and integrity. Serena, on the other hand, was two-
faced, malicious, and morally bankrupt.
"Your real mom humiliated my sister, and now that she’s gone, you’ll pay her debts."
Perhaps not expecting such ruthless words from Sean, Serena looked stunned and hurt. She was already down, unable to get up, and here he was, ready to hit her on behalf of Rosemary?
Suddenly, her resentment towards Rosemary bubbled up again.
"Considering we were once a family, is asking for twenty slaps too much?"
To a stranger, death would be too kind, but considering they lived together for eighteen years, played siblings for that long.
Sean turned to Betty, "Ever hit someone?"
Betty shook her head in fright.
"Here’s your chance. Go on, get some practice," Sean couldn’t be bothered to do it himself; he had grapes to peel for his sister and didn’t want to get his hands dirty.
Betty knew how Sean was; if he said to do something, it had to be done.
Trembling, she stepped forward, and although she found Serena’s actions despicable, she hesitated to strike. After all, she had once seen Serena as her boss.
Serena knew she was an outsider to this family. Even after eighteen years, once the truth came out, past affections meant nothing.
She knew pleading was useless; tears streamed down as she weakly cried out, "Sean."
"What are you waiting for?" Sean’s patience was running thin.
"Forgive me," Betty steeled herself and slapped Serena, the sound echoing through the air.
Serena’s cheek reddened from the blow, lying on the floor like a fish on a chopping board, helpless.
"Haven’t had your breakfast? Has the Collins family been treating you poorly?" Sean wasn’t satisfied with Betty’s strength.
Just then, another voice rang out, "Sean?"
Followed by another, "Sean??"
It was Rosemary and Steward, rushing over after hearing from Kenneth that Sean had gone to the basement to settle scores with Serena.
"Sis, what are you doing here? It’s dirty and smells. Go upstairs; I’ll peel you some grapes later."
Sean’s doting tone for Rosemary only highlighted the sadness in Serena’s defeated smile.
Once upon a time, Sean had showered her with the same affection, but then.
When he found out she wasn’t his real sister, was this the treatment she deserved? Did that mean if Rosemary ever made a mistake in the future, or if it turned out she wasn’t his real sister, there was a
good chance she’d end up receiving the same harsh treatment??
"I’m just here for the show."
Rosemary’s sudden interjection caught everyone off guard.
"Carry on."
Rosemary had no intention of pleading for Serena. Instead, she stood outside the door, a cool and detached observer of the unfolding drama.
Steward looked at Rosemary with admiration. Ms. Collins was truly one of a kind.
Serena was seething. If only Rosemary had put on a show of pleading on her behalf, she wouldn’t seem so despicable.
"I’ll teach her a lesson for you." Sean patted Rosemary on the head before turning to Steward, "You take over. This one’s running on an empty stomach and doesn’t have the strength."
Betty was on the verge of tears. She had used all her strength and still couldn’t satisfy Sean.
Steward was no stranger to meting out punishment, and he knew how to deliver a blow with just the right force.
Seeing Sean’s cold indifference towards his supposed sister Serena, Steward couldn’t help but speculate. Had Serena committed some unforgivable sin to disappoint and anger the entire family this
much?
Was she involved in that notorious derelict building kidnapping case? Could she be plotting against Ms.Collins??
"Are you going to start or not?"
Prompted by Sean’s command, Steward stepped forward and began to slap Serena across the face repeatedly.
The first few slaps alone were enough to draw blood from Serena’s mouth, ringing in her ears, and stars in her eyes.
Steward was not holding back. Serena’s face swelled with bruises, and in no time, she passed out.
"Sean, she’s out cold."
She really couldn’t take it; he had only given her a dozen slaps.
"Isn’t there ice water in the outdoor fountain? Fetch some and throw it on her," Sean said, devoid of any sympathy.
The outside was freezing, and some of the fountain water had turned to crushed ice. Betty filled a bucket and took it inside, riding the elevator down to the basement. Louisa saw her but said nothing, as if she didn’t see a thing.
When the ice water hit Serena, she shook instinctively and let out a soul-shattering scream, jolting awake and trembling terribly.
"Continue," Sean said in a tone devoid of emotion.
Steward slapped her another dozen times. Serena had become numb, the feeling of the slaps on her face as if they were happening to someone else. The crisp sound of each slap grew distant, and in a haze, she thought she saw a white fog, with Martha’s figure faintly looming. Was she dying? Was that why she saw Martha??
Was it a hallucination, or was it real??
Seeing Serena lying there with her mouth slightly open, a vacant gaze fixed on the ceiling, barely clinging to life, Betty nervously spoke up, "Steward, that was more than twenty slaps. You’ve gone over."
"Did I?" Steward paused, looking at Serena’s numb state, "Sorry, I got carried away."
Slowly, tears of anger and shame began to fill Serena’s eyes as if she had snapped back to reality, showing a flicker of life.
"Rosemary is my sister. Whether you’re alive or a ghost, stay away from her! If you dare bother her again, as a living person I’ll make your life a living hell, as a ghost, I’ll scatter your soul to the winds. Remember that."