Chapter 609

Alexander's expression darkened. "We're all here for a peaceful family dinner. Why must we resort to punishment?"

Vincent smirked, casting a sideways glance at Alexander. "What's the matter? As head of the Whitmore family, don't I have the right to discipline my own nephew for tarnishing our reputation?"

"You..."

Eleanor turned pleading eyes to Harold, hoping he might intervene since Ethan had practically been raised under his supervision. Losing patience, Alexander turned to the frozen servants. "Why are you standing there? Must I do this myself?"

"Harold! Alexander's going to punish Ethan! Please say something!" Eleanor dropped her fork in panic.

Harold opened his mouth to speak when Alexander's icy glare silenced him.

Rumors had spread like wildfire these past months. Harold had initially hoped to ignore them.

But during a recent chess game with an old friend, the awkward topic arose, prompting his call to Evelyn.

To Harold's surprise, Alexander's devotion to his wife made him seize...

Harold couldn't show favoritism here.

It would undermine Alexander's authority as family head.

Harold frowned. "Ethan was indeed in the wrong."

"Alexander's decision to invoke family discipline is justified."

"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

Ethan's parents were frantic as servants retrieved the barbed whip.

By family law, Ethan faced at least twenty lashes.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ethan was led from the dining table for punishment. After just two strikes, he grimaced in pain, his white shirt already torn.

Vanessa rushed to Alexander's side.

"Alexander, have mercy! Ethan's health is delicate—this punishment could cause lasting harm!" Alexander remained unmoved.

Ethan had long been on his disciplinary list, only shielded by Eleanor or Harold.

The rumors that had quieted recently...

Resurfaced at the baby's one-month celebration, gaining momentum again—all because of Ethan's mischief.

Evelyn, burdened with false accusations, bore the brunt of public scrutiny.

If Alexander didn't act, their unborn child would suffer alongside Evelyn.

After ten lashes, Ethan collapsed, face ashen.

Vanessa clung to Alexander's sleeve pleadingly, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

She discreetly slipped something into his pocket.

With the whipping concluded, Alexander's anger dissipated.

Eleanor rushed to help Ethan up, concern etched on her face.

Alexander flicked imaginary dust from his suit as he rose from the sofa.

Approaching the dining table, he calmly stated, "We were having dinner, weren't we? Please, be seated."

He accepted the fork and bowl from servants with measured grace.

The others were too tense to eat, but the second and third branch members, wary of Alexander, forced polite smiles and sat.

Vincent broke the awkward silence. "Father, we'll skip dinner. Ethan..."

Harold bellowed, "Don't be dramatic!"

"A few lashes won't kill him! The Whitmores have no place for weak men!"

Caught between staying and leaving, the family members hesitated.

Alexander himself served Harold soup. "Father, enjoy your soup."

The scene was bizarre—minutes ago they'd been at odds, now appearing reconciled.

The family struggled to comprehend the shifting dynamics.

Harold accepted the soup with apparent respect, creating an illusion of fatherly benevolence and filial devotion.

"Your wife's pregnancy is challenging. I still have your mother's gold necklace. I'll have it made into jewelry for her," Harold offered.

Alexander merely smiled. "Fine."

Everyone knew Alexander's mother was a taboo subject in the Whitmore family.

She'd died shortly after his birth, with outsiders believing it was childbirth complications.

But the family knew the truth—she'd committed suicide.

Not long after Alexander's birth, she'd slit her wrists quietly. When found by nurses, she was already cold.

It was later diagnosed as postpartum depression causing temporary insanity.

Harold believed Alexander's birth indirectly caused his mother's death, which was why he'd sent the boy to live with farmers, neglecting him for years as if he didn't exist.

Only when needing an heir did Harold recall Alexander, bringing him back to the Whitmore fold.

Alexander's striking resemblance to his mother made Harold doubly affectionate, trying to compensate for years of neglect.

But Alexander remained indifferent toward Harold.

Understandable—he'd spent his first two decades fatherless, surviving alone outside, forming no emotional ties to the Whitmores. Faced with Harold's sudden kindness, Alexander's response was minimal.

Now at dinner, they played out benevolent father and filial son roles, creating palpable dissonance among the family.

Evelyn leaned on the table, scrolling through her phone.

Twitter seemed glitchy—her notification icon showed 99+ messages, pouring in incessantly.

But her account had always been eerily quiet.

She tapped the app curiously, wondering if it malfunctioned.

Then shock hit.

Her ID was trending everywhere.

[Sweet Savage]

[Natalie's Protégé Nicknamed Sweet Savage]

[Sweet Savage's Musical Arrangements Are Stunning]

"What the hell? Has the world gone mad?"

Evelyn investigated further, discovering Natalie had retweeted her arrangement! Even announcing to the world she was her protégé!

Everyone wanted to know who this "Sweet Savage" was. Natalie's fans praised her arrangement from days ago.

But Evelyn stumbled upon something unusual...