Chapter 26: Spanking
“What’s happening in there?”
Julia forcefully pushed Jared against the door inside the room, breathing heavily. She tried to calm her racing heart, to maintain some semblance of sanity amidst the chaos.
A fire seemed to consume her from within, threatening to engulf her entirely.
“Mr. Brooks,” she began, trying to gain his attention, “I need to discuss something with you.”
Jared stood tense, his body taut like a drawn bow.
“Do you need my assistance?” he asked, trying to read her.
Julia exhaled deeply, the heat evident in her breath. “I can’t administer this injection to myself in my current state.”
She wouldn’t have made such a request if circumstances had been different.
“Listen, if you help me now, I assure you, if you ever desire a divorce in the future, I’ll grant it without hesitation. We can get the certificate the moment you decide. What do you say?”
Hearing this, any fire that was burning within Jared died down instantly.
Is this her way of suggesting a divorce?
The idea was appealing, giving him the freedom to divorce whenever he chose. Was she implying she wanted to leave him for another?
Jared’s mind raced back to the memory of Julia and Carter together at the recent banquet.
The more he dwelt on it, the darker his expression became.
“I need to kiss you,” Julia whispered, moving closer to him, attempting to bridge the
distance.
But before she could touch his lips, he pushed her away with force.
Reeling from the rejection, Julia found herself by the bedside, her eyes misty and beautiful, searching for answers.
Had he rejected her? Despite her beauty and allure, why?
Does Jared actually dislike women, or is it just an act?
These thoughts raced through Julia’s mind as Jared approached her swiftly. Before she could process his actions, he effortlessly lifted her.
“Hey! I’m not comfortable. Put me down.”
But Jared, paying no heed to her protests, carried her towards the bathroom.
“Hey!” Julia’s irritation surged. In a mixture of anger and desperation, she slapped
Jared’s backside.
The slap echoed through the room, crisp and clear.
Jared came to a sudden halt, clearly taken aback. Throughout his life, no one dared to treat him in such a manner.
Feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger, he approached the bathtub, dumping Julia into it. He quickly turned on the shower, and in moments, cold water drenched Julia, chilling her fiery temper.
“That’s… surprisingly refreshing,” Julia mused. The cold had not only brought her back to her senses but also gave her clarity. If she soaked for a bit more, she believed she’d be stable enough to administer her own injection.
She met Jared’s gaze, “Thank you. I wasn’t thinking straight. The cold water helped. You can leave now.”
Jared’s lips pressed into a thin line, restraining his emotions. Was she just going to dismiss him so easily?
“Why are you still here?” Julia pressed.
Drenched as she was, her attire clung to her form, subtly revealing the silhouette of her figure underneath.
Trying to suppress the heat of his emotions, Jared exited the bathroom. As he opened the door, he was met with Shiloh’s waiting presence.
“That was quick. Not even three minutes?” Shiloh remarked, his gaze dropping momentarily to Julia’s drenched form.
Jared’s expression darkened dramatically. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No, no! I didn’t mean it that way. Brother, you’re impressive, a cut above the rest. I was just commenting on the time. I’m more concerned about what’s going on inside,” Shiloh quickly clarified, trying to peek inside the room. Catching a glimpse of the open bathroom door, he wondered aloud, “Is she in the bathroom?“?
Before he could say more, Jared swiftly shut the door.
“Stay out,” Jared warned, leaving Shiloh behind as he headed downstairs.
Shiloh smirked at the closed door, thinking it was best he didn’t know more. Overindulgence might ruin the imagination, after all.
Just as Shiloh was lost in his thoughts, Joseph rushed in, exclaiming, “Boss, the homeless have been targeted.”
Jared’s sharp gaze narrowed. It felt more than just a random incident; someone might be targeting Julia deliberately.
“Do we know who’s behind it?”
“We’re investigating.”
“I want answers in three days,” Jared ordered.
“Understood, boss.”
At the Scott residence:
Neil immediately questioned Naomi upon her arrival, “Has the situation been handled thoroughly?”
“They’ve been instructed to leave Monroe City tonight. It should all be in order,” Naomi replied.
“It’s not about what ‘should be. We need certainty. If Jared discovers our involvement, the Scott family will face dire consequences.”
Naomi poured a glass of water, reassuring her father, “Don’t worry, Dad. We’ve been discreet. There’s no surveillance footage or witnesses at that location. The homeless will be gone by tonight. While the Brooks family holds sway in Monroe City, finding those people once they’ve left will be like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Hearing Naomi’s assurances, Neil felt a sense of relief.
“For peace of mind, we need to ensure those homeless individuals depart Monroe City as soon as possible.”
“I’m on it,” Naomi responded, ensuring swift action.
Two hours later.
A message buzzed on Jared’s phone.
“Boss, we’ve identified the Scott family’s involvement,” Joseph informed Jared, detailing his findings.
Jared’s countenance darkened further, his earlier irritation with Julia still lingering.
“Head to the Scotts‘ residence.” Jared grabbed his blazer and made his way out with determination.
Watching Jared, Shiloh pondered the root of his brother’s deep–seated anger. Was it all because of Julia? Surely that couldn’t be the case. Yet, how significant was Julia in Jared’s life?
A realization dawned on Shiloh. Although Jared’s marriage to Julia was initially about circumstances, she was, after all, his wife in name. An affront to Julia was, in essence, an affront to Jared’s honor. It made sense for Jared to be this irate.
Indeed, it had to be the reason.
It was close to midnight.
The tranquility of the Scotts‘ sleep was shattered by disturbances outside.
“What’s going on? Can’t we even have a peaceful night?” A perturbed Naomi emerged from her room, swiftly followed by Neil.
The housekeeper rushed in, his face glistening with sweat. “Master, we have trouble! Someone from the Brooks family is here.”
