Chapter 15
Online, Madeline’s restaurant became a trending topic, and Blake was summoned back to the Hayes family.
For years, Blake had minimal contact with his family as he pursued his career as a pilot. When he’d been severely burned rescuing Madeline, he’d been forced to abandon that profession.
The Hayes family immediately asked if he wanted to return home-with just a nod, he could inherit their billion-dollar fortune and never worry about making a living again. But at Madeline’s invitation, he had rejected his family’s proposal, explaining his plan to become a bartender.
Now, less than two months later, he found himself kneeling in the Hayes family estate.
“Look what trouble you’ve caused! I told you Madeline Grant was no good, but you had to cling to her. Now the whole world knows that a Hayes is not only working as someone’s bartender but defending a substandard restaurant. Are you trying to destroy our family’s reputation?”
Mr. Hayes was furious.
3lake had no response.
since Charlotte had left, his mind had been in chaos. He ignored Madeline’s calls on his phone and knocked his head against the floor several times in
ontrition.
I know I was wrong. I’m willing to accept family punishment and forfeit my position as heir.”
Ir. Hayes showed no mercy, personally taking a whip and delivering 99 lashes, until Blake’s skin split open and he collapsed to the ground, gasping f
reath.
lood flowed freely onto the floor, but Mr. Hayes forbade anyone from bandaging his wounds.
lake remained silent. After recovering briefly, he struggled to his feet and painfully walked out of the estate, step by difficult step.
le returned to the villa where Madeline was staying. Seeing him return, she ran to him in tears.
3lake! Where have you been these past few days? The internet is full of people cursing me-I’m so scared! Can you please fix this? I don’t dare go utside anymore. It wasn’t even intentional!”
chose people are so vicious, they even sent me death threats. I feel like I’m going crazy, Blake. Don’t you have the Hayes family behind you? If the ayes family stepped in, they could definitely resolve this!”
he cried pitifully. Normally, Blake would have felt heartbroken and agreed to all her demands.
ut now, looking at her face, Blake couldn’t bring himself to say what she wanted to hear. His wounds hadn’t healed, burning with pain. He spoke
oftly:
I’m no longer the Hayes family heir.”
earing this, the woman’s tears momentarily stopped. Then her eyes widened, her voice changing pitch.
What did you say?!”
he still hadn’t noticed Blake’s deathly pale complexion or the blood gradually staining his shirt. Madeline raised her voice in disbelief.
You’re not the Hayes heir anymore? What am I supposed to do? So many people online are criticizing me-what am I going to do?!”
lake felt a stab of pain in his heart. He slowly replied:
We can apologize. This incident really was caused by your use of substandard materials. Fortunately, no one was injured. If we sincerely apologize, ve can still salvage our reputation.”
le thought he’d offered a sensible solution, but Madeline’s eyes filled with disgust. Her voice grew high and shrill, her expression twisted with
esentment.
Chapter 15
“Apologize? Impossible! Those people insult me like that, and I should apologize? Blake, what are you thinking? Shouldn’t you be fixing this for me, like last time? If you just go back to the Hayes family and beg, they’ll definitely take you back. Why should I apologize to those people?!”
Blake looked at the woman before him and removed his shirt.
“I’ve been punished according to family tradition. I can’t go back.”
His back was covered in wounds and blood. Whip marks crisscrossed, forming horrifying patterns. Madeline took one look and screamed.
“Then what do we do? How can I ever reopen my restaurant? How will I ever recover from this?”
