Chapter 840

The television screen displayed a live stream.

The person in the frame was Sophia Ashcroft.

She wore a simple, plain-colored cheongsam, sitting upright in the center of a brightly lit room.

Her posture remained elegant and composed.

Two men stood at her sides.

One of them raised a long whip in his hand and asked coldly, "Do you admit your mistake?"

Sophia remained silent.

The whip lashed viciously across her back!

Crack!

Three sharp cracks exploded in succession.

Sophia didn't even flinch.

But Evelyn Ross's heart felt as if it had been struck by that whip, throbbing with pain.

The man asked again, "Does it hurt?"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile even touched Sophia's lips. "It hurts."

She said it hurt, yet her expression was serene.

As if the whip was merely a breeze brushing past her clothes.

The man frowned.

The other man beside him spoke. "Will you try to run away again?"

"No."

Sophia answered obediently. "Staying with the Sterling Family is good. I will never escape again. This is a suitable place to retire."

After she finished speaking, the man dragged her away from the camera's view.

The next person was brought forward for punishment.

That person immediately screamed in agony.

Evelyn understood instantly.

How could it not hurt?

Sophia knew Evelyn would try to find a way to rescue her, so she deliberately pretended nothing was wrong.

She was afraid Evelyn would act impulsively.

For a moment, a surge of rage had indeed risen within Evelyn.

She wanted to rush out immediately, to charge straight to Sophia's side.

Her fists clenched tightly, her eyes reddening.

Elara Sterling turned off the live stream and looked at her. "Your mother is fine. That whip was just for humiliation. The wounds will be treated... After all, she is the head of the Sterling Family."

She let out a derisive laugh. "Even someone like me hasn't been abandoned by the Sterling Family. Your mother is in even less danger. Don't be impatient."

Evelyn paused.

Elara spoke calmly. "The only way to save your mother is to become the next heir. I know you've been clever since childhood, with your own ideas. But I advise you, don't act rashly."

Evelyn's jaw tightened as she looked out the window.

The night was as dark as ink.

She remembered it was also night when she disembarked from the ship.

From the ship to here, had it been a full day and night, or just a few hours? The sky hadn't yet brightened.

As Evelyn pondered, Elara spoke again. "Don't think about it. You haven't witnessed the Sterling Family's methods yet... Moreover, the Sterling Family possesses the gift of prophecy."

Evelyn immediately looked at her. "The Sterling Family's prophecies... are they real?"

Elara scoffed. "How would I know? That ability is only passed down to each generation's heir! I am the loser! But so far, every prophecy the Sterling Family has issued has come true."

Evelyn frowned.

She took two steps toward the door. "Can I go outside?"

"No."

Elara looked at her indifferently. "There are surveillance cameras everywhere outside. Everyone who enters or leaves this place for the next few days will be recorded. And you... are under constant surveillance every moment, including when you bathe. So bear with it. Don't shower for this week."

She turned her wheelchair. "The Sterling Family is a cage. Only the heir can break free. Grace, I told you this since you were little. Back then, you didn't understand. You hated me, resented me. Now, you should understand, right?"

Her voice faded as her figure disappeared from the living room, returning to her room.

Evelyn stood in place, her mind racing.

What should she do?

If coming to the Sterling Family meant she could do nothing, couldn't even step outside the door, how could she gather information? How could she save her mother, Sophia?

She remained silent for a long time, finally looking at Mason Evans.

Mason spoke. "As your guardian, I cannot go out either. The Sterling Family is too mysterious. I can't see through it."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, thinking of Alexander Vance in her heart.

By the timeline, he should be at the Sterling Family by now too, right?

Would he be recognized?

Evelyn thought for a moment, then tentatively took a step toward the door.

Just as the tip of her foot was about to cross the threshold, the elderly man appeared before her. "Want to go out?"

Evelyn nodded.

Cedric Sterling smiled. "I know. Perhaps you've become very capable now, able to come and go from this house freely without restraint. But have you considered that the moment you step outside this door, your mother might die?"

Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply. "What do you mean?"

Cedric sighed. "The Sterling Family's surveillance is extremely strict. If they discover you've gone out, or if you force your way out, their first action won't be to capture you. It will be to kill Elara."

Evelyn was stunned.

Cedric gave a faint smile. "Also, if Elara dares to escape the Sterling Family, the first person they will kill is you. Do you know how she got the scars on her face?"