Chapter 70: Who was it?*

Alec, laid the girl down in the guest room next to his room, the clothes she had on was completely drenched and it would be rude to touch her without her consent. Earlier he asked Jeffrey to call one of her sisters to help but he immediately declined, saying they don't get along and she might get into more trouble. Alec didn't understand why that's a problem but didn't ask any further questions.

With a sigh, he simply grabbed more sheets and covers for her warmth. Her night gown was thin so it shouldn't be a problem drying up quickly, assured she was warm enough...he left the room closing the door behind him.

The next morning,

Winter, slowly opens her eyes that felt unbelievably heavy, she sat up in bed still trying to figure out where she was and how the hell she got there? Memories from last night finally began rushing back. How she fought with Merbal, how she almost got raped by Merbal's husband but fortunately managed to get away... How she ended up by the roadside waiting to get hit by a passing car but unfortunately hit the breaks.

' at that moment....'

Winter clasps her mouth in shock. A knock echoed inside the room, she looked up answering in a cracking voice.

" Y-yes."

Her voice low, the door opened and Alec walked in... In his graceful walk.

" Morning." He greeted nonchalantly and casually as ever.

" Uhm, g-good morning."

Winter clenched onto the covers. Alec stared at the tore gown. ' at least her insides aren't showing '

Winter stared at his hands wondering what he's holding?

" Take a shower and change into this, I'd like to talk to you.... Be back in 30 minutes."

He told her laying down the clothes and left. Winter picked up the t-shirt he laid out for her, she couldn't say it will be short on her cause she was so tiny and he's bigger than her. This t-shirt fits him perfectly but it would probably look like a mini dress on her, besides, she doesn't expect him to give her women's clothes cause he probably doesn't have any.

She went into the bathroom and took a warm shower that smoothly fell on her body and relaxed her muscles. After that weightlifting tension was lifted off her body she returned to the room and dressed up... Just as she suspended, his t-shirt reached her thighs and actually fit like a dress... his scent was all over her. She couldn't help but inhale it all in.

" Are you done?."

His voice came from outside of the bedroom door.

" Y-yes.... You may enter."

Winter stammered. Alec walked in casually with a straight face, he stared at her from head to toe for 2 seconds...to him that's the longest he had stared at another woman for after 5 long tragic years. He looked away and proceeded to take a seat on the sofa across the room, Winter rubbed her toes together nervously.

" I'll ask you a few questions and you'll answer them truthfully, understood." His deep voice echoed inside the quiet room.

" Hm... Y-yes."

" That bruise on your face, who was it?."

" Ahm...i- well I -

" Don't even think of lying to cover up anyone." Alec warned with a shot narrow eye at her direction. Winter bit the tip of her tongue rethinking her response, Alec studied her reaction ' indeed she was about to lie and hide the person who did this to her, but why protect them?' He thought.

" It...it was Merbal. Sir."

She answered truthfully, Alec recalled that name. Mary introduced the girl as her eldest daughter. His gaze moved to her weak knees.

" And how did those cuts get there?."

" When she slapped me I fell and cut my knees and elbows."

" How did you end up by the roadside, it's far away from the Ranch?." He asked, still studying her face and body language. Winter bit her lip hard causing a cut, her body began to tremble as she clenched onto the edges of his t-shirt.

" I- I... Ran out of there cause... Merbal's husband tried -tried to sexually assault me, he-he came into my room and held me down. He ripped my night gown, I- I hit him with the night lamp and managed to escape...I didn't go to the other family members cause I knew they wouldn't help me and support him instead, he kept running after me even after I ran out of the house. My only option was to go through the woods that's how - that's how I lost him."

Winter burst into tears. Alec watched her cry uncontrollably... emotionless, he simply stood proceeding to the door and said.

" Call everyone to the living room, Jeffrey."

Alec ordered, " yes, Young Master."

Jeffrey bowed and left, he knew Winter since she was a little girl, she never got the love she deserved... and the mistreat worsened when her father left Mary for another woman, she would beat up Winter and starve her for days... Her life has been nothing but misery. But today, today Jeffrey is happy that little Winter will finally get the justice she deserves, she has someone to support her and look after her now. She no longer has to worry about anything from today onward.

Alec turned back to her and asked. " What's your name?."

" Uhm... W-winter... Winter Bloom."

" Such a strange name, let's go."

Alec said walking out with a straight back. Winter hesitated a bit before following behind.

Meanwhile, downstairs living room. Everyone had their legs trembling and shaken...the only collected person there was Jeffrey who had a slight grin on his face. They had no idea why their Master suddenly summoned everyone there, not to mention they have no idea where Winter was... but they do know what occurred last night.

Alec descended the staircase and Mary and the others were shocked to see Winter trailing behind their Master.

" Mother?."

Merbal held Mary's arm confused and terrified to what Winter might have told Alec.

" Don't worry, she wouldn't dare speak up against us even if she wanted to." Whispered Mary.

Both Alec and Winter walked into the living room as Alec proceeded to sit on the black couch facing his employees... while Winter stood beside him like a humble obedient pet.

" Do any of you, have an idea to why I summoned you here?." His deep alarming voice spoke so casually and smoothly, but it was as alerting and warning sounds to it.

" I'm afraid we do not, Mr Qinn."

Mary casually answered with a pretence of knowing nothing.

" Then I'll ask this," Alec still laid back comfortably. " Which among you inflected the bruise on Ms Bloom's face?."

Despite knowing who it was, Alec still insisted on asking with an intense stare at each one's face... just as he suspected, everyone denied of causing the girl any harm, said she is a lier and cheater... she'll do anything to get her way.

Alec glanced at Winter who had her face down the entire time, the poor thing couldn't even defend herself from these beasts...I guess she's used to them pointing all fingers on her and taking the blame, cause she knows no one will take her side.

" I see."

Alec stood with his hands in his pockets, he walked over and stopped in front of Merbal, her body shook from the intense aura that was coming from Alec.

" Look at me...girl." Alec's tone went from casually calm, to dead cold. " Are you also not aware that your husband tried to rape your younger sister last night?."

" Mr Qinn i-....

Tears rolled down her eyes with fear, she had no idea what was going through this man's head or what he's capable of doing to her.

" You're a cunning woman... and all of you here are simply idiots, but not to worry... I'll find a fitting punishment for all of you."

" Sir, but some of us didn't cause any harm to Winter." A man spoke up.

" Indeed, but you all stayed quiet and tried to cover up the act... that's worth punishment." Alec said still looking at Merbal, he stepped back moving to the husband and said. " Your punishment is different, I despise rapist with my every core in my body."

Alec grits his teeth with dislike before nodded at two of his security to take him away.

" N-no... please don't harm him I'm begging you."

Merbal cried out as they took her husband away with him calling out to her.

" I leave them to you, Jeffrey... you know what to do."

" Yes, Young Master." He bowed.

Alec returned upstairs. Winter watched as her so called family was being taken away.