Chapter 22 1288 Vouchers Chapter 22 Olivia had nowhere left to retreat. She never expected Alexander would choose such a place. An utterly isolated, dilapidated abandoned village. Her current position was walled on three sides, the only nearby house locked tight. This entire stretch was deserted, the road brutally bumpy. The houses looked condemned, littered with broken walls, dust hanging thick in the air. But Alexander remained unfazed by the grime. He watched Olivia cower in the corner, then smoothly pulled a meter- long broom from the shadows. He raised it slowly, gaze lingering on the handle with unsettling tenderness: "This is where I first brought Sophie for a night." "She hated the dust like you do-begged me to leave, terrified of the dogs. So I took her away." "But now I'll leave you here." With that, Alexander whistled sharply through his fingers. Gaunt, starving dogs appeared. They stared at Olivia like fresh meat. "Alexander! Have you lost your mind?" "This... isn't what I think, right? You wouldn't be this cruel." Trembling, Olivia shrank deeper into herself, too terrified to face the dogs, voice shaking uncontrollably. "I've never been a good man." Alexander swung the broom handle viciously at Olivia. Each strike drew cries-the wooden end brutal against her skin, his strength overwhelming. He beat her relentlessly, without pause. Repeated blows landed on her legs, bruising flesh until blood streaked beneath translucent skin. Olivia, raised in luxu- ry, sobbed helplessly within minutes. She curled tighter, beyond self-protection. 00% 12:40 Chapter 22 Gasping through tears, she pleaded: "I was wrong, I was wrong! Stop!" Alexander didn't relent until Olivia lay limp, voice gone. Sophie witnessed everything. She knew Alexander wasn't good-how else seize such power? Who else would whip her fifty times or burn the Reformatory full of lives? This was the ruthlessness he'd cultivated. But watching Olivia, Sophie felt a pang of pity. Another whistle pierced the air-dogs lunged. Snarling and screams merged. 1288 Vouchers Sophie couldn't watch. Alexander had long been mad. He dropped the broom, eyes vacant, leaning on walls as he trudged forward like each step weighed tons. The man who moments ago radiated menace now looked deathly pale. Sophie finally noticed the charred flesh on Alexander's hands, the back of his hand ulcerated and oozing blood. A crimson streak stained the ash-gray wall. "Uncle Alexander, what if someone bullies me?" "Then fight back." "But I don't know how to fight." "Then lunge and bite! Like a hunting dog. Never tolerate injustice, no matter what happens." "Our Sophie must never suffer injustice." Watching Alexander lean weakly against the wall, gasping for breath, Sophie recalled these words he once spoke to her. For reasons unknown, an ache tightened her chest. Raindrops began their descent from the sky, splattering against the ground. Alexander tilted his head toward the heavens and suddenly laughed, the sound raw. Sophie, I miss you. 49.6% 12:41 Chapter 22 288 Vouchers Meanwhile, Sophie's ethereal form floated nearby, her gaze averted. She thought only of ending this-she couldn't bear to relive those memories. 0938 12:41