**Chapter 8: Punishment**

"You're a bad girl," my father's voice was low and menacing as he grabbed my hair, his fingers twisting and pulling it tight. I cried out in pain as he yanked my head back, his eyes blazing with anger. I tried to struggle, but he held me firm, his grip on my hair like a vice. I felt a surge of fear as he raised his hand, and I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact. It came swiftly, a sharp slap to my cheek that sent me stumbling backwards. My father's eyes flashed with anger as he kicked me, his foot connecting with my stomach and sending me crashing to the floor. I curled up, trying to protect myself, but he continued to yell at me, his voice rising to a crescendo. "You're a bad girl, Ashley! You think you can just steal from others and get away with it? You're going to learn to obey me, to do as I say!" Sevain and Dante's voices were faint, but I could hear them listening from outside the room, their murmurs and whispers a stark contrast to my father's rage. I felt a surge of shame and humiliation as I realized they were witnessing my punishment. Nicole's voice was a smooth, melodious counterpoint to my father's anger. "Darling, perhaps you've made your point," she said, her tone sugary sweet. "The girl is clearly sorry." But my father was beyond reason. His anger seemed to fuel him, and he was relentless. I heard the sound of footsteps behind me, and then Chris's voice, low and husky. "Let me take care of her, sir. I'll make sure she learns her lesson." I felt a chill run down my spine as Chris's hands reached for me, his fingers closing around my wrist like a cuff. He pulled me to my feet, his eyes gleaming with a hungry light. And then, in a movement that was both swift and brutal, he ripped my clothes from my body, leaving me standing naked and shivering in front of my father. My father's eyes roved over me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, there was silence, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the abyss. And then, in a voice that was both cold and detached, my father spoke. "She needs to be taught a lesson. A lesson she'll never forget."