Chapter 332
As Ken spoke, everyone was shocked.
No one had expected that the head of the Davis family would carry out punishment in front of such a large audience.
Even Christina was taken aback, and she exchanged a glance with Victoria.
Although it was the 21st century, with a well-established legal system, families as entrenched as theirs still had their own family laws.
These were in place to punish those who didn’t break the law but smeared the family’s reputation.
Those outside the family weren’t privy to such matters; no family would enforce its laws in front of outsiders. Large families cared about dignity — they wouldn’t broadcast the disciplining of their own but prefer to handle it privately.
Today’s mention of family law was simply meant to pressure the Davis family into punishing Mary upon returning home.
Chad was also confused. “Dad, maybe we should go home and carry this out there…”
Once they were back home, the enforcement would be less severe, and the prescribed five lashes might not all be carried out.
But Ken was stubborn. “Since we’ve already made a spectacle, of course, we should do it here and show everyone how strict the Davis family is in managing its affairs!”
Chad was bewildered.
Something seemed off to him.
His father, the family head, was actually quite lenient with those beneath him, resorting to family law only for serious transgressions.
Since Mary had already been given her own residence, effectively distancing her from the main lineage, there was no need to go this far…
Even Mary herself was puzzled.
When she mentioned the family discipline, it was to protect the reputation of the women in the family and to salvage some honor, yet she knew that Ken wouldn’t really flog her…
But if the flogging was carried out in public… how could Ken possibly spare her?
Mary couldn’t figure out why, but her hand had already moved to her abdomen.
She couldn’t lose the baby from a few lashes, could she?
A look of worry crossed her face.
Keira frowned, stepping forward. “Mr. Davis, are you going to publicly use capital punishment? After all, that would be illegal, wouldn’t it?!”
Ken turned to look at her. “I’m disciplining a junior member of my own family. Will someone call the police? Or perhaps you, Mary, will call the police?”
Knowing she was at fault for today’s matter, Mary simply closed her mouth and said nothing.
Chad wanted to say more, but Ken rebuked him, “Just do as you’re told! Where did all this nonsense come from!”
Chad had always obeyed his father, and with a sigh, he could do nothing but turn and exit the room.
The hotel wasn’t far from the Davis residence, but it would still take at least half an hour to go back and forth…
After Chad left, Ken found a place to sit down.
Mary stood there, lost and unsure of what to do. She looked down at her abdomen, never once raising her head to look at Ellis, who wasn’t far away.
Keira wanted to rush over and take her away.
But Lewis held her arm.
Keira turned and frowned at him, only to hear him explain, “If the Davis family uses capital punishment in public, do you think the public opinion will be favorable?”
Keira shook her head. “Of course not, so has Ken lost his mind?”
As soon as she said this, Lewis looked at her intently. “Think again.”
His voice was steady, calming Keira’s nerves.
As she looked again toward the distance, she muttered to herself, “Ken wouldn’t have reached his position today if he were foolish. I’ve interacted with him; he’s quite open-minded. He even promoted Mary beyond the usual protocols because he saw potential in her. He wouldn’t damage both parties in this manner, so…”
Keira’s eyes suddenly widened with disbelief as she looked at Lewis. “He knows that the child’s father is Ellis?”
Lewis lowered his gaze. “If she knows it, how could Ken possibly be unaware?”
The “she” referred to Sarah.
Keira immediately thought back to the day when she went to pick up Mary when Sarah urged Mary to get rid of the child. At that time, Mary was locked in a room and couldn’t possibly have informed Sarah.
Mary’s parents must have leaked the news.
Considering the kind of people her parents were, and given Mary was pregnant with Ellis’s child, they certainly would have told Ken to gain some advantage!
So… Ken knew?
Was this whole farce to lure Ellis’s benefit?!
Ken was uncertain whether Ellis actually fancied the distant niece of the Olsen family. After all, the feedback from the arranged meeting was that he wasn’t interested.
A niece managed to force Ellis to marry her just by getting pregnant, which could offend Ellis, and it might also put the Davis family in a disadvantageous position.
So, Ken did this on purpose!
He intentionally acted this way to force Ellis to make a choice!
Keira realized this and immediately looked at Ellis, only to see his brows slightly furrowed as he stared at Mary in the distance, with a hint of annoyance flashing across his eyes.
Keira instantly felt an itch in her hands.
Why wouldn’t this guy trust Mary?!
Although Mary was forced by her Uncle Ken and father to go to all those drinking parties, the Davis family rules were strict, and she had never slept around!
Keira wanted to go over and teach him a lesson but was stopped by Lewis, who grabbed her arm. “It’s useless to say anything. Ellis’s biggest trait is confidence.”
Keira didn’t know what to say.
Ellis was too confident in himself, which was why he refused to trust others.
Thinking about it, wasn’t this characteristic of him?
She was anxious. “So what do we do? I can’t just watch Mary get hit!”
Lewis looked at her and saw her eyes brimming with worry. He suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.
Concern led to chaos.
Keira had always been a person of calm and restraint. When she herself was abused by Poppy Hill and cursed by Isla Olsen, she always remained calm, but now she was agitated because of Mary…..
And for some inexplicable reason, his heart felt a bit sour.
Lewis coughed to suppress that sour feeling, “If she really gets beaten, we’ll address it then.”
Keira, hearing these words, nodded, “We can only do that.”
Time passed quickly.
When Chad walked over with the whip, both Christina and Victoria’s eyes lit up, and they subconsciously walked to Ellis’s side, whispering to each other.
“I heard from Chad that this whip is really powerful…”
“Who knows whose bastard she’s carrying; one lash from this whip and the child might be gone.”
“If it’s gone, then it’s gone. Who asked her to do such an ugly thing?”
“But I think Mary cares quite a bit about the child, and if the child is gone, she won’t get any more crazy ideas, right?”
The two giggled and spoke thoughtlessly, not noticing that Ellis’s expression was growing darker by the moment.
Suddenly, Chad handed the whip over to Ken.
Ken took it and swung it on the leather couch, instantly peeling away a layer of leather and sending out stuffing.
The people around were shocked.
Could Mary really endure such a whipping?!
Mary also shuddered all over.
She looked at the mark on the couch and fearfully turned her gaze to Ken.
“Kneel!” Ken roared at her.
Mary bit her lip, pleading, “Uncle Ken, can we wait until after I give birth to carry out the punishment? I’m worried…”
“The rules of the Davis family don’t give you the right to bargain!” Ken angrily interrupted her. “Reveal the father of the child. If you can’t, you can’t escape these five lashes!”
Upon hearing this, Mary closed her eyes in despair.
Ellis didn’t believe her, how could he possibly stand up for her?
She looked at Ken, clenched her fists tightly, and slowly knelt.
Seeing this, Ken immediately raised the whip!
Just at that moment!
“Stop!”
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