Chapter 87

"Take me there?" I became a bit excited.  After the past months, Carroll finally could go to Brown Mansion and avenge me on those bullies there.  Shouldn't I be excited? "Yes, I'll take you there." After a doting stroke on my head, Carroll added, "To take revenge." Look, Carroll became childish because of me.  Brown Mansion was located atop a hill. It loomed behind the forests on the hillside. It was as luxurious as a white palace. I followed Carroll out of the car, looked up at the top tower in the mansion, and muttered, "They live in such a good place, so why do they keep picking on you?" "Are they short of money?" "Greedy." Gripping my hand, Carroll pushed open the door and walked into the house. Old Madame Brown and Nathan sat on the sofa, enjoying their tea and chat. The arrival of Carroll, this unexpected visitor, shocked them.  There was in their eyes caution, hatred, and fear that confused me. "Why are you here?" Nathan's hand, which was holding a teacup, trembled. "Madame Brown is old. She needs a rest. Joey, please help her back to her room." Jason walked to Old Madame Brown and made a gesture of invitation. "This is my house!" Old Madame Brown knocked on the ground with her walking stick, and Joey didn't move. "I am the patriarch of this family!" Carroll's voice was loud and clear. Instantly, Old Madame Brown looked aghast. Patriarch?! What an ancient word in 2023! Carroll's murderous look made Joey flinch. He helped Old Madame Brown up. "Old Madame Brown, it's time for you to take a nap!" "Humph!" After one indignant glance at me, Old Madame Brown got up under the help of Joey. Old Madame Brown walked very slowly. She didn't want to leave at all.  Carroll pulled me to sit down. Intimidated, Nathan walked aside. "Bring me the whip." Carroll played with his bracelet. The whip? I looked at Carroll with confusion.  "No way!" Old Madame Brown turned back to protect Nathan. She questioned Carroll in a ferocious voice, "Do you want to kill Nathan?" "Old Madame Brown, you'd better go back to your room. Given your age, you are just grounded." "However, Nathan is different. He is Mr. Carroll's little brother." "He is a Brown, so he should abide by the family rules." "Otherwise, the reputation of the Brown family will be blackened!" Jason smiled, but what he said was a threat.  The two bodyguards behind Jason went over and pulled Nathan aside.  Old Madame Brown flushed with anger. "You're an assistant. How could you talk to me like this?" "Didn't Joey say to Madam like this?" Jason talked back. "You are clear about how you have thrown dirt at our Madam over the past few months. Old Madame Brown, do you need me to elaborate on your deeds?" It seemed Jason had hated Old Madame Brown for a long time. Jason spoke my mind, so I nodded hard to show my agreemnt. My move drew Carroll's attention. "Is there anything I don't know?" "They spread the fake scandal about me and Jason." "They called me a wanton widow." I briefed Carroll what had happened a few days ago. Looking at Old Madame Brown grimly, Carroll asked, "Is that true?" "She, liar!" Old Madame Brown pointed to me with a trembling finger. "What is the punishment for slandering his sister-in-law and setting Clark up?" Carroll sneered. Jason answered without hesitation, "Fifty lashes!" "No! That whip has thorns, so Nathan will die!" Old Madame Brown wanted to protect Nathan, but Joey quickly stopped her. Joey winked at Old Madame Brown, so the latter stopped. It seemed that Old Madame Brown was obedient to Joey. Looking at the two people, I felt that Joey must be more than a butler.  It seemed he has more authority than Nathan in this mansion. After Old Madame Brown stopped moving, Nathan, scared, shouted, "Grandma, Joey, help! Carroll is a lunatic. He will kill me!" "Whip, please!" Carroll closed his eyes, and the bracelet in his hand released a rhythmic sound. For the first time, I felt this sound crisp and pleasant. Curious, I looked at the door.  A bodyguard appeared with a two-meter-long whip. The whip was shiny, black, and old.  As Old Madame Brown had said, there were numerous thorns on it. Yes, thorns! I knew this thing.  It grew up in the mountains of Phoenix Village, so the rich villagers used it to build theftproof walls. The thorns would embed into the flesh after every lash. The victim wouldn't die but badly wounded.  Carroll slowly opened his eyes and showed me a faint smile. "Do you remember what I taught you?" I nodded. "Yes, I do." "Keep your eyes wide open. That's how we do things!" Then, Carroll wore the wooden bracelet again. His finger tapped on the armrest of the couch. "Whip him!" There came the sound of the lashes. Nathan, pinned on the ground, howled with pain. The whipper hit Nathan on the same spot accurately.  Nathan wore a white suit today. After a few lashes, blood tainted his white trousers.  Aghast, I turned my head.  Trembling, Old Madame Brown shouted, "Why did Old Brown have a mad grandson like you? No! Your grandmother was mad, and so was your father. You are mad too!" "All of your family are mad!" Old Madame Brown shouldn't get Carroll's family members involved.  How vicious she was! I got up and talked back. "Carroll is kind enough to spare you, but you are still evil! In the old times, you were nothing but a concubine who had a lowly status. How dare you throw dirt on Carroll's family!" "Is that so?" Carroll raised his head, looked at me, and raised his brows playfully. "My kitten has grown up and knows how to bare her teeth?" I bared my teeth to Carroll and said, "I know how to bite, but Old Madame Brown won't taste good, given her black heart and sour meat." "You, you, you!" Old Madame Brown sat on the ground and slapped her thigh. "Old Brown, look! Look at your bastard grandson!" This twist shocked me, and then I burst into laughter.