That evening, Luna tugged at Sebastian’s sleeve as she usually did, acting coy. "Sebastian, I’m afraid of the dark. Stay and keep me company, okay?"

But Sebastian didn't agree as he usually would.

The image of Clara’s resolute, heart-broken face from earlier that day kept spinning in his mind, leaving him restless.

After Clara discovered his childhood connection with Luna, she had made scenes many times and questioned him repeatedly. But never once had she mentioned divorce.

Moreover, the way she had looked at him—with eyes so cold and full of disappointment—had instantly ignited his temper, causing him to give that brutal order.

He knew his men well; they never pulled their punches.

A faint, gnawing regret began to spread from the depths of his heart.

Clara was a strong person, but she had an incredibly low pain threshold, and she was proud. Could she truly handle being publicly whipped?

The more he thought, the more anxious he became. He brushed Luna off with a hollow excuse: "I have things to take care of today. Get some rest."

Luna’s expression stiffened instantly. Her lips moved as if to say more, but Sebastian had already grabbed his coat and walked out.

On the way back to the villa, he called his private doctor, telling him to hurry there ahead of him.

He only wanted to give Clara a lesson; he didn't truly want to ruin her.

After a moment's thought, he told the driver to stop midway so he could buy a bouquet of tulips.

These were Clara’s favorite flowers.

He admitted he had gone too far this time, but Clara was always soft-hearted. As long as he softened his tone and coaxed her a bit, everything would blow over...

As for the divorce? There was no way he would ever actually divorce her!

With these thoughts in mind, Sebastian pushed open the door. "Clara, look what I—"

The familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. Only the private doctor, who had been summoned urgently, stood in the center of the living room, staring back at him in confusion.

The soft smile on Sebastian’s face slowly faded. "Where is Clara?"

The doctor was baffled.

He was on good terms with Sebastian, so he spoke bluntly: "How should I know where your wife is! You called me here in the middle of the night—where’s the patient?"

Sebastian’s expression tightened completely, a cold aura emanating from him.

Clara hadn't come home.

She was clearly furious—furious enough to refuse to return to their house.

"Why the long face?" The doctor clicked his tongue. "Did you bully your wife? Women have tempers, you know. One wrong word and they’ll run away."

"Hurry up and go win her back!"

Sebastian took a deep breath and pulled out his phone to call Clara.

No answer.

He sent her a message, only for a red exclamation mark to pop up on the screen.

She had blocked him!

How dare she!

With a face like a thundercloud, Sebastian called his assistant. "Find Clara! Find her right now!"

"Yes, sir." The assistant on the other end hesitated for a moment before saying, "By the way, there’s something..."

"You asked me to look into Arthur last time. The surveillance footage shows he did indeed steal the key to the basement, and the snakes were agitated because of him..."

Sebastian froze.

He remembered the way Clara had looked lying on the hospital bed—the sheer despair in her eyes when she realized her hand was useless.

It really was Arthur?!

He actually dared to lay a hand on Clara!

"Furthermore, it seems Arthur also orchestrated a kidnapping targeting the Madam. Fortunately, she managed to escape on her own."

The assistant’s next words were nothing short of a bomb.

Sebastian staggered, nearly losing his footing.

What was he doing when Clara had called him for help?

Oh, right. That was Luna’s birthday, and she had been pestering him for a gift.

To him, money was just a number; he had casually spent ten million on jewelry for Luna.

But he hadn't given the kidnappers that five million.

It wasn't that he couldn't afford it; he was simply annoyed by what he thought was Clara’s "acting." It was just a bit of money—why did she have to play such a deceptive game?

If... if Clara hadn't been lying...

What had he done!

He had nearly cost Clara her life!

Sebastian clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the wall.

His knuckles bled, but he didn't even notice.

The doctor was startled by his dark expression and asked cautiously, "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine." It took Sebastian a long time to suppress the raging storm inside him. He grabbed his car keys and walked out.

He didn't even call for a driver. He drove himself, flooring the accelerator and racing all the way to Arthur’s house.

Arthur was sitting in his living room, humming and drinking, when he heard a violent crash as the front door was kicked open.

"Who is it! Do you want to die!"

He grumbled as he stood up to open the inner door, only to freeze. "Sebastian? What brings you here..."

Sebastian didn't say a word. He grabbed Arthur’s collar and hoisted him up.

Arthur’s feet dangled off the ground, and he sobered up instantly. "Wait—what's happening? Let's talk this through!"

"Who the hell wants to talk to you!"

Sebastian looked like he was ready to kill as he hurled Arthur violently onto the floor.

The man’s layers of fat quivered. Before he could react, Sebastian’s fist smashed into his eye socket!

With a dull thud, Arthur felt like he was going blind!

But it was far from over. A rain of punches followed.

Arthur wailed in pain. "Sebastian, wait, stop! What is this for—"

"You dare to ask?"

Sebastian’s voice was icy. "I don't care about you playing around with young girls, and for Luna’s sake, I can help cover for you. But how dare you touch Clara!"

A flash of panic crossed Arthur’s murky eyes.

He tried to defend himself, but Sebastian gave him no chance, stomping his foot down hard on Arthur’s thigh.

Crack!

The bone was definitely broken.

Arthur let out a shriek like a slaughtered pig. "Sebastian, you’re crazy! Are you trying to kill me!"

Sebastian shook out his aching wrist and sneered. "Even if I did kill you, so what?"

Arthur was suddenly too terrified to speak.

It was true their families were old friends, but the gap between him and Sebastian was like heaven and earth!

Seeing Sebastian about to strike again, he wailed, "I was wrong! For Luna’s sake, spare my life!"

Sebastian actually hesitated.

A few seconds later, he snorted and gave Arthur’s abdomen one last kick.

"I treat Luna like a sister and don't want her to be sad; otherwise, I’d end you today!"

"When Clara comes back, you will get on your knees and apologize to her!"

Arthur clutched his stomach and nodded repeatedly, then asked hesitantly, "Is Clara gone? Will she... will she really come back?"

Sebastian’s eyes sharpened, and he kicked him again.

"Of course she’ll come back!"

"She’s just throwing a tantrum. How long can that last? She has no other family; she has nowhere to go but back to me!"

Arthur clutched his mouth, not daring to speak, but he felt a sense of doubt in his heart.

Thinking back on the things Sebastian had done, even a scumbag like him found it somewhat horrific.

After all that, how could Clara possibly be willing to return to Sebastian’s side?

Sebastian didn't notice Arthur’s thoughts. He walked out and took a deep breath of the cold night air.

He stared up at the starry sky for a long time. Suddenly, his gaze softened, and he sent a message to his secretary.

[Next week is Clara’s birthday. Prepare a birthday banquet of the highest standard.]

[Make sure the decorations are perfect. I want to give her a surprise.]

The chat window showed "Typing..."

It took a long while for the secretary to reply in a cautious tone.

[Yes, sir...]

[Sir, the front desk received a document. It’s very important. Do you want to come back and take a look?]