Sasha heard the crack only milliseconds before the whip slashed across her ass and lower thighs. It sent shockwaves of pain though her. Again and agai... he swung striking her back and legs, her breasts and stomach. Sasha again passed out from the pain. When she awoke she was bound to a chair. At least it seemed like a chair, but was different in the fact that it had a hole in the center like a toilet only smaller. The chair was bolted to the floor and her ankles, knees, waist, and just below. Meanwhile, units had been released to trade writers and the first reviews were now on her desk. Without exception, they were raves. For the first time, there were no clouds on Janice's horizon.Then she came to the certified letter. She opened it and found it was from Hugo Bingham at Argus Corporation. He stated that he had acquired Illinois Technologies' $20 million demand note from Chicago Trust Company, IT's bank. According to the loan terms, payment was demanded forthwith. The loan agreement. Only speak French when we are keeping secrets.” She smiled and Hafnan nodded.“Mademoiselle, Giselle part dans le voiture devant.” Hafnan pointed to the black sedan pulling out and leaving the airport. The winter air hit her when they passed through the large revolving doors.“Damn.” Natasha beamed. “Hopefully our driver will go faster. Come on. Vite!”Hafnan ran, wishing she had too extra hands to cover her freezing ears.Owen sat in the hospital bed. He had been given some codeine for the pain.. The first few manors that were homes to the Counts weren't anything special. Well not special in the fact that Seth already expected their homes to be far more "lavish" than anything else in the Kingdom, and he wasn't disappointed in what he found.But Seth also found that some of them were growing things that weren't to be exported and raised in the lands. There was a ban on some produce because of how it robbed the land and its surrounding area's of its nutrients. These items were delicacy.