Nicole's question irritated Mrs. Don, and she didn't look happy.
She couldn't just whip Nicole ten times, right?
Moreover, the hatred in Nicole's gaze scared her. She also felt she had gone too far, but she was an
elder, so she couldn't make herself apologize to Nicole.
Mrs. Don was torn apart but snorted coldly, saying, "You'd better remember what you said today. You
have nothing to do with the Dons from now on."
"I will. Thank you for your ten lashes today, so that I can see you clearly."
With that, Nicole helped Samuel out of the Don's.
Even though the old woman asked everyone to keep their mouths shut, someone still told Jason about
it.
Jason hurried back, but it was too late. Noticing the blood on the whip, he was so angry that he didn't
want to talk to Mrs. Don. He quickly called Nicole and Samuel.
When Nicole saw it was Jason calling, she blocked him without thinking.
She was not mad at him. But she was done with the Dons.
Seeing her like this, Samuel knew she was hurt deeply, so he whispered, "Alright, don't be angry. I'm
fine. Lucas was to blame in this. As his father, I have to take the responsibility, right?"
"I'm sorry. I brought this to you. I thought if I returned to the Dons, it might be helpful to you. But now, I
can see it is bullshit. You've suffered because of them."
Nicole wanted to give back her Don blood to the Dons, so that she could sever the ties with them.
How could Samuel not know what Nicole was thinking?
He held Nicole's hand and whispered, "Life is short. We only get several decades to live. Don't get
angry for them. They are nothing to you. Fortunately, this shall pass. It's good, isn't it?"
"I just feel you are so unlucky to marry me."
Nicole spoke from her heart.
"Nonsense. Marrying you is the most fortunate thing in my life."
Samuel's comfort made Nicole more uncomfortable instead.
Jason couldn't get through to Nicole, so he called Samuel. Unfortunately, Samuel also hung up.
It occurred to him that it was over between the Dons and the Greens.
"Are you satisfied now? There are only three important families in the Seapolis City—the Greens, the
Dons and the Louises. You've left us out on a limb by making the Greens our enemies."
Jason rarely lost his temper with Mrs. Don. This time, he couldn't help it.
Mrs. Don knew she might have gone too far, but she had to sense that herself, and Jason was in no
position to blame her like this.
"So what? We don't need them. Nicole only had the audacity to push us around because she married
into the Greens."
"Exactly who bullied whom? Mom, you're really something! You've pushed your own granddaughter
away. Let's see if you'll regret it one day!"
Jason left angrily. He went abroad for business. He said he would look into a project there. But in fact,
he just didn't want to be around the old fool Mrs. Don, fearing one more minute with her would cost his
life.
Mrs. Don's resentment towards Nicole grew even bigger now that Jason had left town to avoid seeing
her.
This black sheep caused so much trouble for the Dons!
Nicole naturally didn't know about the tension between Jason and Mrs. Don. She and Samuel quickly
returned to the Green's.
When Laurel saw the blood oozing out of Samuel's back, she was shocked and asked, "What's going
on? Why are you injured?"
Lucas quickly looked up.
However, Samuel waved his hand and said, "It's nothing. Mrs. Don said these ten lashes can smooth
things out. You know these scratches can't hurt me."
Laurel was infuriated when she heard that.
"That old hag! Even I never lay a finger on my son. How dared she whip you ten times! I have to
reason with her!"
Noticing Laurel was mad, Samuel quickly stopped her.
"Mom, let this go. Besides, it was Lucas' fault. He ran to her house and messed around. As a father, I
have to take the blame for my son. I couldn't let her beat Lucas, right? Let's forget about this. I'm fine.
Some ointment will do me good, though."
Lucas looked unhappy when he heard that.
He felt bad to see the blood on his father's shirt.
He never wanted this much trouble. It was meant to be a revenge for his mother.
"Daddy, I'm sorry."
Lucas admitted that he had been wrong.
Noticing his son's sad expression, Samuel smiled and said, "It's fine. Your daddy is strong. Alright, you
should rest too. It's about time to eat. Don't just stand there."
Laurel said with concern, "Even if you put it that way, this is still too much of a punishment. That old
cow is simply inhumane."
"Alright, Mom, I'm hungry. Hurry up and check the kitchen to see if we can have dinner soon. We need
to eat."
Samuel pushed Laurel into the kitchen.
Nicole did not say anything from beginning to end, because she was embarrassed and did not know
what to say. Samuel took care of everything without mentioning her, which made Nicole even more
distressed.
Noticing how sad Laurel felt for her son, Nicole was even more at a loss for words.
As if knowing what Nicole was thinking, Samuel held her hand and said, "Let's go upstairs. I want you
to apply some medicine on me."
"Alright."
Nicole helped Samuel upstairs.
When Samuel reached the bedroom, he heaved a sigh of relief.
It had been a long time since he was whipped. In other words, although he had been through all sorts
of pain over the years, he had never been whipped until now. It was a new experience for him.
It felt kind of good.
Samuel took off his clothes.
Looking at the wounds on Samuel's back, Nicole cried despite herself.
"It's okay. I asked you to apply me some medicine, not your tears."
"Why didn't you tell Mom that you suffered because of me?"
Nicole's words amused Samuel.
"We are a team. Why did you say that? Besides, what is the point for Mom to know? Can my injuries
heal because of it? Alright, don't put yourself under too much pressure. I'm willing to do anything for
you. What's more, this is what a man should do."
As Samuel spoke, he turned his back to Nicole.
Nicole gently applied medicine over his skin. Even though Samuel did not say anything, she noticed
how tense his body was and knew he was in great pain.
Lucas came in quietly. Noticing the wounds on Samuel's back, he choked with guilty.
"Daddy, I'm sorry. It was all my fault. I won't do it again."
Lucas realized for the first time the consequences following his willfulness. Before this, he had been
unconvinced when his father punished him. Now he couldn't help but cry for Samuel's suffering.
Noticing that his son was spooked, Samuel quickly pulled him over.
"Lucas, it was right to avenge your mother, but your method was wrong. You have to consider the
consequences. You can do it stealthily. If your enemies can see it is you, that's a failure. Don't make it
easy for them to guess. Think before you act. Achieve your goal outside your foes' radar without
breaking the law. You are commended for standing up for Mommy today. Daddy punished you because
you acted recklessly. Remember this lesson, understand?"
"Yes!"
Lucas quickly nodded.
"Alright, Daddy's fine. I am not that fragile. You're still young. Daddy can cover you when you make a
mistake. But you'll grow up eventually. Sooner or later, you'll have to face things on your own. So, go
back and figure out if I am right."
"Got it."
Lucas bit his lower lip as if he understood everything.
Samuel looked at his small limbs and asked in pain, "Do your legs hurt?"
"No!"
"Tell the truth."
"Then yes!"
Lucas rubbed his calves. After standing for more than an hour, he felt his legs almost stiffened.
"Sit down. Daddy will massage them for you."
Samuel let Lucas sit down in front of him and reached out to massage Lucas' calves.
Nicole looked at the father and son. They both suffered because of her. So, she swore she would stay
away from the Dons.
She applied Samuel medicine, and Samuel massaged Lucas' legs. The family was happy. When Laurel
came up to call them for dinner, she didn't have the heart to ruin this moment.
So, she closed the door and quietly went down.
It was just dinner. She could wait. But the sweetness and harmony of a family deserved respect.
"Grandma, is daddy okay?"
When Zoe heard that Samuel was injured, she ran over with worry.
Laurel picked her up and said, "Daddy is fine. He can come down and have fun with you in a minute.
But you can't be naughty anymore."
"Alright. But if I did something wrong and want to confess to Daddy now, will he forgive me?"
Zoe looked helpless, which aroused Laurel's curiosity.
She was just a little girl, and she rarely made mistakes. Even if she did something wrong, it shouldn't
be a big deal, right?
Laurel smiled and said, "No. As long as you are honest, he will not blame you."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Laurel swore. However, when Zoe took her to the greenhouse and told her what she had done, Laurel
really wanted to give this girl a good spank.
Both children were a ton of work.
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