That was the souvenir he received for saving that ingrate.

It had become a symbol of his humiliation.

“Take it off! What are you dawdling for?!” Juvelia shrieked from the side. Her eyes brimmed with vengeful glee.

“Too ugly to show your face? Or are you afraid someone will recognize you as a wanted criminal?”

My brother’s fingers trembled slightly.

Then, he ripped off the mask.

“Whoa—”

The entire crowd gasped.

The prepared taunts and insults instantly got stuck in their throats.

The face beneath was actually sharply defined. He was exceptionally handsome.

However, from the left corner of his mouth to his ear, a hideous burn scar ran like a dark red centipede, coiled across his pallid skin.

It was a horrifying sight to behold.

Edwin froze.

Why did that scar look so familiar?

He quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and sneered coldly.

“You really do look like a monster. No wonder you’re a psychopath who tried to attack Juvelia. Since you won’t speak, I’ll open your mouth for you.”

Edwin signaled to the bodyguards beside him.

Two uninjured bodyguards rushed forward, one on each side, and pinned my brother’s shoulders down.

Edwin stepped forward and drew a sharp dagger from his coat.

“Juvelia said you licked her with your tongue. Then, this tongue must be removed. Open your mouth!”

Edwin pinched my brother’s jaw, forcing his mouth open.

My brother offered no resistance.

He obediently parted his lips.

Edwin raised the dagger. Just as he was about to strike…

Suddenly, his movements froze.

His entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. He was rooted to the spot.

The dagger clattered to the floor.

Edwin’s eyes widened. His face turned ashen.

He stared in disbelief at the depths of my brother’s mouth. His body began to shake uncontrollably.

“H-how is this possible...”

Bewildered, Juvelia leaned in urgently.

“Edwin, what’s wrong? Do it! Cut off his tongue for me!”

“Shut up!”

Edwin suddenly erupted in a roar, making Juvelia flinch.

He whipped his head around, fixing Juvelia with a deathly stare. His eyes were bloodshot.

“You said earlier... that he claimed to be Peri’s brother?

“You said... he stuck out his tongue and licked your neck and ear?!”

Terrified by Edwin’s ferocious expression, Juvelia stammered in response.

“Y-y-yes... What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?”

Edwin let out a shrill, wretched laugh. He pointed at my brother with a trembling finger.

“Tell me, how could a man without a tongue force a kiss on you?!”

The entire room fell deathly silent.

Everyone stared in horror at my brother’s open mouth.

Deep within his oral cavity, it was empty and hollow.

Only a stub of ugly, long-healed flesh remained.

The fire had burned it away, leaving only the necrotic tissue behind.

The crowd erupted.

“Goodness! He really doesn’t have a tongue?!

“Then, that means everything Juvelia just said... She made it all up?!

“Licking her ears? Licking her neck? Is this a freaking paranormal event?!

“Juvelia was lying! This is blatant slander!”

All color drained from Juvelia’s face, leaving her deathly pale.

Her eyes widened as she stared fixedly at my brother’s mouth. She was shaking.

“How could he not have a tongue... How could...”

I stepped out of the crowd, picked up the dagger from the floor, and walked slowly toward Juvelia.

“Juvelia, do you see things clearly now?

“This is the man you claimed wanted to lick you clean.

“Now, it’s time for you to honor your bet.”