Chapter 684

Natalie Castillo's eyes were glued to the wok.

She spoke.

"The answer to the question you asked earlier is the sea."

Evelyn Ross paused in her actions.

She remembered.

She had asked what the Sterling Family corresponded to on a map.

If it were land, the scope would be limited.

If it were a forest, the area would be relatively manageable.

But the sea...

That was the most vast existence on Earth.

If it truly was the sea, searching inch by inch would be a near-impossible task.

Evelyn's brow furrowed tightly.

Natalie waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't think too much about it.

Constantly frowning at a young age makes you look old."

Evelyn continued preparing the ingredients.

"There are two more secrets about the Sterling Family.

Can you tell them?"

"Yes."

Natalie winked at her, a sly smile on her face.

"I know what you're most concerned about.

Don't worry, your mother is safe for now.

You are the candidate for this generation's heir.

The Sterling Family wouldn't dare take her life.

Unless you fail completely, she will lose her value.

Right now... at most, she's suffering some physical hardship."

As the words "physical hardship" fell, Evelyn's hand trembled.

The fish scale under her knife was cut crookedly.

Natalie immediately cried out.

"Hey, focus on cooking!"

Evelyn looked up.

"What kind of physical hardship?"

Natalie pouted.

"The Sterling Family has flogging as punishment.

Those who escape and are recaptured are publicly flogged weekly as a warning to others."

Evelyn's fingers tightened.

"How many lashes per week?"

"Five."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

So, during these four months while she was here trying to save her mother, Sophia Ashcroft had already endured a full sixty lashes.

Seeing her pale face, Natalie offered casual comfort.

"Why are you so tense?

It won't kill anyone."

She sniffed the aroma wafting from the pot, unable to suppress a swallow.

"Those whips are meant to humiliate.

They don't really hurt.

The real flogging punishment of the Sterling Family is terrifying.

The whips have barbs.

One lash can tear off a layer of flesh.

A single strike requires half a year of recovery.

But that kind is rarely used now.

The current whips are just bamboo strips.

They leave red marks, but it's mainly about the shame, you understand?

This explanation is a freebie.

It doesn't count against your secrets."

Evelyn understood, of course.

Public punishment.

The pain was secondary.

The humiliation was the real torment.

Her chest felt tight.

"When will the heir competition end?"

"That's the fourth question for today~"

Natalie drew out her words, her voice sweet and soft, as if coated in honey.

Evelyn found it strange herself.

She knew Natalie was an opponent.

She was that cunning "fox."

Yet, facing this gluttonous expression, she couldn't bring herself to dislike her.

Even remembering the things the "fox" had done before, she couldn't muster hatred.

Natalie had already spoken.

"I guess it will end this year.

They are in a hurry to select a new heir."

"Why?"

"It seems the previous heir's health is failing.

They need a new person to take over management.

Alright, four secrets told!

Hehe, hurry up and cook.

I'm starving!"

Evelyn: "..."

...

The meal was prepared.

Natalie ate ravenously.

Finally, she stood up, rubbing her rounded belly.

She let out a satisfied burp and gave Evelyn a thumbs-up.

"I never expected the most delicious food in the world to be here with you!

Evelyn Ross, can I come for meals every day from now on?"

Before Evelyn could answer, Natalie said with a giggle.

"One secret for one dish!

But let's be clear, I won't say anything I'm not allowed to say~"

With that, she hopped and skipped upstairs.

Her retreating back was as cheerful as a little mouse that had stolen oil.

Evelyn watched her leave.

Alexander Vance walked to her side.

"What's wrong?"

"I keep feeling..."

Evelyn frowned.

"...she seems to be deliberately leaking information to me."

One dish in exchange for a Sterling Family secret.

This deal, no matter how you looked at it, was a loss for Natalie.

Alexander nodded.

"I think so too.

She doesn't seem to treat you as an opponent.

Nor does she seem to want to recruit you as a subordinate.

It's like... she's cultivating you."

Evelyn's frown deepened.

As they were speaking, Richard Evans and Robert Vance, who had just left, suddenly barged in.

Robert Vance pointed at Evelyn as soon as he entered.

He said sternly to Alexander.

"The Sterling Family and the Cortez Sect have both severed ties with her!

Alexander Vance, I order you to cancel the engagement immediately!"