1015 Where have you been?

Her lips quivered as she turned to greet him with her head bowed. "Dad!"

Usually, when she returned late, her father would be long asleep.

Out of all nights, why did she have to bump into him today?!

He chastised, "Where have you been to be returning home this late?! You still know that you have a home?!"

"I…" Grievance and despair got stuck in her throat, making it hard for her to respond.

She was utterly ashamed at the recollection of tonight's happenings!

The tearing pain deep inside her was a constant reminder of her humiliation and anger.

She mumbled, "I went out to play…"

She did not want anyone to know about it, not even her closest family members!

Not only was it utterly humiliating, she would not have the face to meet them.

If her father learned that her virginity was taken by a bunch of degenerates, he would surely kill her out of anger!

It was practically a nightmare – a stain that could not be washed no matter how hard she tried.

"To the pub again?!"

He snorted, clearly utterly dissatisfied with her. She anxiously cut in before he could lecture her. "Dad, I'm sleepy and tired. I'll return to my room to sleep first!"

She was eager to avoid him, but her father would not let it rest. "Stop! Did I let you go?"

"…" She stood rooted to one place and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Is this the attitude you should've toward your father, leaving without waiting for me to finish talking?! What time is it already for you to just be returning now? Do you still regard this place as your home?!"

He bellowed in censure, "Come here now!"

It was clear that he wanted to give her a lecture!

How could she face him in this manner, though?

Gritting her teeth, she refused to move from her spot.

This maddened her father even more. "What? Why aren't you moving when I told you to do so? Are you rebelling now that you're a little older?! Get here now!"

His sternness only served to expedite her tears, however, and suddenly, she started sobbing with her head bowed.

She felt really embarrassed. If her father saw her current state, her last shred of dignity would be gone!

As he got angrier with his daughter, he stalked up to her and grabbed her arm.

She staggered at his pulling and fell right into him.

What the man saw astounded him!

Various marks of scratches and hickeys densely covered her exposed arms, shoulders, and collarbones.

Her red and swollen face revealed signs of violence, too.

He smacked her in the face when he saw all these.

She fell to the ground from the impact and she bowed her head, allowing her hair to bury her face in the shadows.

"You… Just what were you doing out there exactly?! Why did you let yourself become like this?!"

His first reaction was to wonder who had been hanging out with her!

He had high expectations of her and had always hoped to see her marry into an influential family.

They were most concerned about women's chastity.

He was disappointed by her present state!

Feeling ashamed and aggrieved at his anger, she cradled her face as fat teardrops rolled down her pale cheeks and quivering lips; anyone who saw her like this would feel heartbroken!