My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire

685  Chapter 684 Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Erin's eyes were almost glued to the frying pan.

She spoke up, "The answer to your question is the ocean."

Keira paused, recalling her earlier question. If the South family's secret location was on land, it would be relatively easy to find. A forest would be smaller, but if it were the ocean, it would be almost impossible to locate, given its vast expanse.

Her brow furrowed.

Erin noticed her reaction and added, "Don't stress too much; overthinking will just give you wrinkles!"

Keira continued cooking and asked, "So, what are the next two secrets about the South family?"

"Sure."

Erin grinned. "I know you're worried about your mom. Don't worry; she's okay for now. Since you're one of the successors, they won't kill her even if they capture her. They'd only do that if you fail and she becomes useless. For now, she's only suffering some superficial injuries."

The mention of "superficial injuries" made Keira's hand tremble slightly. The knife she was using to clean the fish began to show uneven cuts.

Erin quickly interrupted, "Hey, focus on cooking!"

Keira looked at her. "What kind of superficial injuries?"

Erin rolled her eyes. "The South family uses public flogging as punishment. If someone escapes and is caught again, they receive weekly lashes as a public warning."

Keira's fingers tightened around the knife. "How many lashes per week?"

"Five," Erin replied casually.

Keira's breathing became rapid.

So, during these four months, while she'd been trying to rescue her mother, Jodie South had already received sixty lashes?

Noticing Keira's distress, Erin tried to comfort her. "Hey, don't worry too much. It's not as bad as it sounds. "The lashes are meant to humiliate more than cause real pain. The old-fashioned lashes had barbs and would tear flesh, but now it's just bamboo strips. It hurts a bit, but the main damage is the humiliation. Consider this explanation a bonus—no secrets deducted!"

Keira understood. Even if the lashes didn't hurt much, being publicly flogged was deeply shameful.

She still felt sorry for her mother.

She continued to cook and asked, "When will this contest among the successors end?"

"This is your fourth question for today!" Erin said with a playful, high-pitched tone that made her voice sound almost endearing.

Keira couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted. Even though she knew Erin was her rival, it was hard to dislike her. Despite Erin's previous actions that had angered her, Keira found it difficult to stay mad when faced with Erin's cute, hungry demeanor.

As Keira pondered this, Erin continued, "I'd estimate that the contest will end this year. They're in a hurry to choose the next successor."

Keira asked, "Why's that?"

"The previous successor's health is deteriorating, so they need to appoint someone new to take over the South family's affairs. Anyway, that's all for today's secrets! Hurry up with the cooking; I'm eager to eat!"

Keira sighed as she finished preparing the meal. …

Erin ate voraciously, and when she was done, she stood up with a satisfied grin, patting her stomach. She gave Keira a thumbs up and said, "I never thought the best food would be here with you! Keira, can I come by for a meal every day?"

Keira was about to respond when Erin added, "One secret per dish! But just so you know, there are some things I won't reveal."

With that, Erin bounced cheerfully up the stairs, her happiness apparent.

Keira watched her go, and Lewis approached, asking, "What's wrong?"

"I have this feeling…" Keira said with a frown. "It seems like she's not treating me as a competitor. It's almost like she's trying to guide me.

 "One secret per dish… It seems like Erin is the one taking the risk in this deal."

Lewis nodded in agreement. "It does seem like she's not seeing you as an opponent. More like she's preparing you."

Keira frowned.

As they were talking, Oliver and Nathan burst in. Nathan pointed at Keira and declared, "The Olsen family and the Freeman Sect have severed their ties with her. Lewis, I demand that you immediately cancel the engagement!"