Night fell, and a myriad of lights twinkled on.

Grant Manor, too, was brightly lit.

The family had gathered.

But not for a meal.

Instead...

A beating.

THWACK, THWACK, THWACK!

The endless sound of striking echoed from inside the room.

Sophia Shaw stood quietly at the door, able to see the silhouettes of the people inside through the curtain.

Inside, Julian Grant personally wielded the family rod, striking the man kneeling on the floor again and again.

The muffled thud of flesh being struck filled everyone’s ears.

Occasionally, a stifled grunt broke the silence.

Although Julian Grant was over fifty, he had spent a lifetime in the military and possessed immense strength.

He had once killed a bear single-handedly.

Kneeling on the floor, Vincent Grant gritted his teeth and endured it, his exposed back crisscrossed with wounds.

Each strike sent a shudder through his entire body.

Yet he never once begged for mercy.

The Grants were all tough as nails.

Elder Grant stood with his hands behind his back, his white eyebrows drooping over eyes filled with cold solemnity.

Sophia Shaw stood right in front of him.

Her gaze was cool and detached.

Behind them stood a long line of Grants.

In the first row were Elder Grant’s sons.

The eldest, Julian Grant, was the one administering the beating.

The second and third sons stood ramrod straight with their respective wives.

A military command was absolute.

Even if they felt for Vincent Grant, the old man had given the order, and no one could stop it.

In the back row were those of Vincent’s generation: the eldest, Miles Grant; the second, Claire Grant; the third, Lena Grant; the fourth, Shane Grant; along with their other cousins.

They filled the large room completely.

It had been a long time since the Grant family had made such a production of enforcing their family discipline.

The last time was many years ago, when Vincent Grant had insisted on leaving the military to go into business.

The Grant family’s discipline was reserved for major offenses, and the few times it had been enforced, it was always on Vincent Grant.

The Grant siblings and cousins knew Vincent Grant had a rebellious streak, so this was nothing new to them.

Still, they couldn’t help but wonder what he had done this time.

But even after the beating was over, Elder Grant offered no explanation, and Sophia Shaw said nothing more.

Everything that needed to be said had already been made clear on the phone.

Julian Grant put down the rod and walked out.

"Father."

The lifted corner of the door curtain revealed Vincent Grant, still kneeling on the floor, struggling to hold himself up.

His face was ashen, and cold sweat dripped from his chin to the floor.

Some beads rolled across the exposed skin of his chest, disappearing into the mysterious region below his waistband.

He gasped for breath, his hands pressed against the floor, his body shaking violently.

Julian Grant looked at Vincent Grant. "Any more, and you’ll kill him."

Only then did Elder Grant wave his hand dismissively.

He turned to his children and grandchildren. "Listen up! We Grants serve our country. We do not bully the weak!"

"Anyone who violates this will not be let off lightly!"

Though Elder Grant was over seventy, his voice boomed like a great bell, strong and resonant.

The Grant descendants all responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

"Thank you, Grandfather," Sophia Shaw said softly.

Elder Grant looked at her deeply. "It is our Grant family that has failed to raise our children properly. You have been wronged."

Only then did the younger Grants realize this beating was Elder Grant’s way of venting Sophia Shaw’s anger. They couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Although Elder Grant was the head of the family, he didn’t usually meddle in the affairs of married couples.

"What is this...?"

Among the crowd, only Miles Grant and Eleanor Crawford knew the real reason for Elder Grant’s punishment.

Sophia Shaw was a distinguished rocket scientist for Cathan, contributing both her money and her efforts to the nation’s rocketry program. How could Elder Grant not intervene when she was being bullied like this?

Miles Grant looked at his younger brother with complicated feelings.

Eleanor Crawford shook her head helplessly.

’Ah, Vincent,’ she thought. ’You really shouldn’t have done it.’

"Faye."

Old Mrs. Grant, who had been standing quietly to the side, now came over and affectionately took Sophia Shaw’s hand.

"Grandma."

Sophia Shaw felt very uncomfortable making Old Mrs. Grant witness her grandson being beaten time and again.

Old Mrs. Grant, however, didn’t seem to mind at all and was solely focused on protecting her.

She turned to Julian Grant and said, "Teach him a good lesson!"

How could Old Mrs. Grant not be heartbroken to see her own grandson beaten?

But what her grandson had done was simply despicable!

For that Joanna Sherman, he had pushed Sophia’s uncle to the brink.

He deserved this beating!

Julian Grant responded respectfully.

Looking at Vincent, his expression grew incredibly grim.

’He never does anything decent, only despicable things!’

’How could I have raised such a son?’

Years ago, when Vincent Grant had insisted on going into business, he had been the one to plead his case before Elder Grant.

This time, Julian Grant had no intention of pleading for him whatsoever.

He didn’t even want to help Vincent up, just called to Miles, "Get him out of here!"

Only then did Miles Grant go with Shane Grant to help Vincent up.

Grandma Grant said to Sophia, "Faye, you must have been frightened."

"Grandma has warmed some wine for you to calm your nerves."

Sophia Shaw didn’t hide anything. Old Mrs. Grant also knew about how she had risked her life for the company her mother left her.

"Grandma, maybe next time."

Sophia Shaw was worried about her uncle Yancy Shaw’s health, and she didn’t feel right leaving June Evans alone at the hospital.

Although Old Mrs. Grant was a little disappointed, she didn’t insist on her staying.

Still, she said, "No matter how rushed you are, you have to eat. Come have a meal with Grandma before you go."

Old Mrs. Grant had already made such a concession; Sophia Shaw couldn’t refuse again.

"Alright."

After the meal, Old Mrs. Grant personally saw her out.

Sophia Shaw felt too embarrassed to have her walk any further and insisted she go no farther.

Old Mrs. Grant could only let her walk out on her own.

As she walked through a winding corridor, just as Old Mrs. Grant’s figure disappeared from view, her path was blocked.

Vincent Grant stood in her way, leaning against the wall for support.

He had already put on clothes, so the wounds were hidden, and his natural air of cool nobility flowed around him.

But he had just been beaten, after all. His face was terribly pale, and his breathing was shorter than usual.

When Sophia Shaw saw him, her expression turned icy.

"What? You get the old man to beat me twice, and you’re not even going to give me an explanation?" He gritted his back teeth, a hint of helplessness in his tone as he dealt with Sophia Shaw.

Hearing him demand an explanation, Sophia Shaw’s lips curled into a multi-layered, self-mocking smile.

’How little must I mean to him, for him to bully me so ruthlessly and have absolutely no self-awareness about it?’

Not wanting to say another word to him, Sophia Shaw turned sideways to leave.

Vincent Grant moved with her, grabbing her arm and using brute force to pull her into his embrace.

"I’m talking to you!"

Twice his grandfather had punished him without saying a single word of explanation, and Vincent Grant couldn’t help but feel a surge of pent-up fury.

Sophia Shaw’s body collided with his.

’This body, which once fascinated her, now only felt filthy.’

She struggled violently.

Despite his injuries, Vincent Grant’s strength was considerable, and he held her down tightly.

A woman’s strength was no match for a man’s, and Sophia Shaw struggled until she was covered in sweat.

Vincent Grant’s brow was heavy with malice. "You’re not leaving until you explain what happened today!"

"Insolent!" a deep voice boomed from nearby.

Elder Grant stood a few meters away from the two, his face stern.

Miles Grant and Eleanor Crawford were with him.

And Julian Grant.

Eleanor Crawford quickly ran over and pulled Sophia Shaw out of his arms.

Vincent Grant straightened his skewed collar. "Grandfather, I was beaten for no reason. Am I not even allowed to ask why?"

"No reason? How dare you say there was no reason!"

Julian Grant spoke up to lecture his son.

"Did going into business make you lose your conscience? All you do is bully the weak!"

"Grandfather was being lenient by only beating you!"

Sophia Shaw finally looked Vincent Grant straight in the eye. "If you hate me, then come at me. My uncle has done nothing to you. You are not to lay a single finger on him!"

"When did I ever lay a..."

"Shut your mouth!" Julian Grant shouted, cutting Vincent Grant off.

"You are not to lay a finger on Faye, either!"

Julian Grant said to Miles, "Get him back to his room, now!"

"He is to face the wall and reflect on his mistakes!"

Miles ran over. "Vincent, let’s go."

"Wait," said Elder Grant, who had been silent until now.

"Your rocket department... shut it down for the time being."