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Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Covered in Red Marks

Aiden Powell swaggered out of school, only to find his grandfather’s butler waiting for him at the entrance.

He ran over, tilted his little face up, and asked, "How come you’re the one picking me up?"

"Young Master, Mr. Powell wishes to see you. He has already spoken with your father and mother." The butler bent down, took Aiden’s hand, and chuckled softly. "What would you like to eat tonight, Young Master? I can have it arranged in advance."

Aiden Powell often stayed at his grandfather’s house, so he didn’t mind. Besides, his grandfather doted on him—he could even get away with not doing his homework.

He thought for a moment and asked the butler tentatively, "Can I have some KFC and Mickey D’s?"

His family never let him eat fast food. The only exception was when he stayed over at his older brother’s place; his brother couldn’t be bothered to deal with him and would just order takeout.

He had asked in a wheedling tone, not expecting the butler to agree in a heartbeat.

Aiden Powell looked at the butler, pleasantly surprised. The butler’s gaze was filled with pity, but the boy was too young to notice.

As they entered the Powell villa, the butler carried two large bags from KFC and McDonald’s. Aiden walked ahead with a wide grin, completely oblivious to what awaited him.

After changing his shoes and walking into the living room, Aiden told the butler to put the food on the coffee table. He planned to eat while watching cartoons, but just then, he heard his grandfather call him from upstairs.

"Aiden, come here."

Aiden happily waved at Mr. Powell. "Grandpa," he said as he bounded up the stairs, "the butler bought me lots of yummy food! What did you want to tell me?"

Mr. Powell smiled. "Come with me to the study."

The butler sighed as he set the bags on the table. He thought of the young master’s earlier excitement, then imagined how pitifully he would be crying soon, and couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

Aiden followed his grandfather into the study. The moment the door closed, he heard his grandfather’s stern command: "Kneel!"

Aiden froze. Seeing the stern look on his grandfather’s face, his lips trembled as if he were about to cry, but he obediently knelt anyway.

He said through his tears, "The butler said I could buy it! I wasn’t the one who insisted!" He thought this was about the fast food.

Mr. Powell’s eyes narrowed. He picked up the ruler he had already placed on his desk and said coldly, "I’ll ask you this: did you do something you shouldn’t have?"

Aiden’s crying hitched. He sniffled, looking guilty. "I didn’t."

"You didn’t?"

"All I did was pull a classmate’s pigtails, slash Yao’s bike tires, break Mom’s skincare products, and dare my friends to talk back to the teacher!" he blubbered, wiping away tears. He sounded more and more aggrieved until he finally burst into a full-blown wail. "I’ve done all that stuff before, and you never got mad at me!"

His grandson’s words made Mr. Powell laugh in exasperation. "Hold out your hand!"

Aiden trembled and shakily held out his hand. SMACK! The ruler struck his palm, and the pain made him cry until his throat was raw.

"I’m asking you, did you go looking for your cousin, Lynn Winslow?!" When Aiden still didn’t seem to recall, Mr. Powell added impatiently, "The one who lives in Amberly Bay!"

Aiden sniffled. It took him a long moment to remember, but then he explained through his sobs, "Mia told me! She said Lynn likes to bully people and that she made you angry! That’s the only reason I went to find her!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. "You don’t like her, right?" he accused. "And she bullies Mia! Why are you hitting me for telling her to stay away from you?!"

"I’m hitting you because you’re a fool!" Mr. Powell struck him hard with the ruler again, not softening the blow in the slightest just because he was a child.

"You believe anything anyone tells you. You even hid this from me and warned the driver not to tell me. Tell me, do I not have every reason to discipline you?"

Mr. Powell crouched down. Seeing Aiden’s pitiful, tear-streaked face, he sighed and said in a grave tone, "Your mistake was trusting others so easily. You let yourself be used!"

Aiden had been spoiled rotten his whole life. He knew nothing of the world’s malice. He just cradled his red, swollen hand, his expression utterly bewildered.

"Alright, you can go." Mr. Powell stood, waved him away, and walked to the window alone. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the lush garden below.

’It had only recently dawned on him, too. Lynn Winslow had been doted on by Elder Winslow her whole life. While it was true she’d grown up with a bit of a temper, she wouldn’t bully people the way Mia described.’

’Something felt wrong. How could he have been so quick to believe Mia’s words?’

He stood by the window for a long time before turning and heading downstairs. He found Aiden sitting on the carpet, eating a burger and fries between hiccuping sobs. A headache began to throb in his temples. ’I’ve really spoiled this grandson of mine rotten,’ he thought.

’He wondered who the boy got his resilience from.’

Although Lynn Winslow had deliberately brought up Aiden Powell and Mia Rhodes as a warning, she had no idea that a single sentence from her had resulted in Aiden getting his hands smacked.

Woken by the phone call, she couldn’t get back to sleep. She got up, walked out to the balcony, and sat down in the rocking chair, lighting a cigarette.

Ian Sterling’s car pulled in, stopping smoothly in the parking area. He got out and walked over, crossing the stone path that cut through the lawn.

Hearing the roar of the sports car, Lynn stood up. She rested her arms on the railing, a slim cigarette held between her delicate fingers, and gazed down at Ian Sterling as he approached.

She called down to Ian, who had stopped below. "Didn’t you go back to the Sterling estate? How are you back so soon?"

Ian Sterling looked up at her, his stance casual and relaxed. His red hair glowed in the sunlight. His handsome face was striking as always, but his eyes were still red and swollen, which made him look a little pitiful.

"I tried calling you just now, but the line was busy. I thought you’d blocked my number again."

Before sleeping, Lynn had changed into her favorite nightgown, a V-neck slip with black lace trim. The design made her skin look even paler and more delicate, and it revealed a smattering of red marks across her collarbone. The sight of her lounging languidly against the railing made Ian’s Adam’s apple bob and his gaze darken.

"I was angry, but not that angry," Lynn said, noticing his reaction. She chuckled softly and crooked a finger at him. "Come up in a minute," she added languidly.

Ian knew she didn’t want him to inhale her secondhand smoke. A smile touched his lips as he walked into the villa. He noticed several shopping bags with brand logos sitting on a table, untouched, a clear sign that Lynn hadn’t been downstairs since she woke up.

He placed the Sandalwood Box he’d been holding onto the table next to the bags, then sat on the sofa and pulled out his phone. Only then did he see a message Kenneth Keller had sent him half an hour ago.

[Finn, can’t you be a team player for once? The usual spot at Vespermount tonight. You in?]

Ian was lounging against the arm of the sofa, legs crossed. He propped his chin on his hand, considered it for a moment, and replied: [We’ll see.]

Kenneth replied instantly: [Alright, Your Majesty.]

Ian had been in an excellent mood since the previous night, so he sent back a devilish emoji.

Mindful of the "pampered young master" downstairs, Lynn stubbed out her cigarette, took a shower, and changed into a white, ruffled nightdress with a cutout back. She disliked wearing anything but sleepwear at home and had a vast collection to show for it, filling half her wardrobe.

She descended the stairs at a leisurely pace. Ian’s eyes were fixed on her, his gaze tracking her every move.

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