The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 124: Teach Her a Lesson

Samuel, with a faint smile, pointed at Sophia and said, "Like this welcome?"

Sophia looked at Thaddeus with wide eyes, confused by his submissive attitude toward this man. 

Declan was just as puzzled, noticing Samuel's arrogant demeanor as if he were the one calling the shots.

Thaddeus' smile faltered. He had rushed over as soon as he got the call, worried that Sophia might have offended these people. 

He quickly bowed to Samuel. "Mr. Hamilton, please forgive Sophia's behavior. I apologize on her behalf and will accept any punishment you see fit."

Sophia, on the verge of tears, stomped her foot in frustration. "Dad, don't believe them! It was Victoria who started it. She even tried to whip me! How can you take their side instead of mine?" 

She ran over and tugged on Thaddeus' sleeve, twisting the truth to her advantage.

Thaddeus shook her hand off angrily. "Nonsense! You were the one causing trouble and even hurt Ethan. Do you know who he is? You've always been spoiled, but now you've gone too far! Apologize to them right now!" 

Sophia's eyelashes fluttered as she glanced at the expressionless Victoria, feeling a deep-seated resentment but unable to bring herself to apologize.

Thaddeus' deference to Samuel stemmed from the support he received from an Aerion businessman during his campaign for Secretary of the Treasury—none other than Samuel. 

Without Samuel's backing, he wouldn't have secured his position. 

Moreover, their current business dealings heavily relied on Samuel, with half of their exports dependent on him. 

Thaddeus was both grateful and fearful of offending Samuel, knowing that losing his support could jeopardize his career.

Thaddeus had rushed over to mitigate the conflict, only to find Ethan injured. 

Ethan's father was a high-ranking official in Aerion, someone Thaddeus had met during a visit. 

Offending him could lead to a diplomatic incident, and even Samuel's support might not be enough to shield him from the consequences. 

Seeing Sophia still defiant, Thaddeus slapped her hard across the face. "You useless daughter!"

A red handprint quickly appeared on Sophia's cheek, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Dad!" 

She couldn't believe Thaddeus would hit her for these people. He had never laid a hand on her before, no matter how stern his words.

Thaddeus knew he had to be firm. Admitting fault now was better than facing retaliation later. 

He looked at the whip in Victoria's hand and asked gently, "Miss, do you want to use that whip on her for Ethan?"

Victoria nodded. "Yes, we made a bet. If I won, I could whip her once. I broke her record, but she's been avoiding it."

Thaddeus stepped forward and extended his hand. "May I have the whip? I'll make sure she doesn't dodge." 

Victoria glanced at Samuel, who nodded in agreement. 

She had intended to whip Sophia herself, but with Thaddeus here, it seemed more appropriate for a father to discipline his daughter. She handed the whip to Thaddeus.

Thaddeus, determined to show his sincerity, wasn't about to go easy on Sophia. He knew a light whip would only anger Ethan further and damage his relationship with Samuel.

Thaddeus walked slowly toward Sophia, who trembled and tried to back away, but a stern look from him stopped her. 

"Dad, please forgive me," she pleaded, but before she could finish, Thaddeus whipped her shoulder. 

He deliberately avoided her face, aiming to teach her a painful lesson without disfiguring her.

Sophia screamed and fell to the ground. Thaddeus whipped her again on the back. 

Victoria quickly intervened. "That's enough, we only agreed on one whip."

Thaddeus nodded. "I know. The first whip was for your bet. The second was for Ethan, hoping he won't hold a grudge against my unruly daughter." 

He bowed to Ethan, who lazily glanced at him. Seeing Sophia unconscious on the floor, Ethan waved dismissively, indicating he was done with the matter.

Thaddeus, relieved, offered to host a banquet in their honor. After Samuel agreed, he had Sophia taken away. 

The dinner was lavish, and Thaddeus continuously praised Samuel and his companions. 

He had initially thought the others were Samuel's friends but learned during the conversation that Victoria was actually Samuel's sister. 

He quickly had a pair of rare blue pearls brought from his home and presented them to Victoria. 

"Victoria, I apologize again for my daughter's behavior. These pure and beautiful blue pearls are perfect for someone like you."

Victoria admired the rare, lustrous pearls but felt no need to accept them since Sophia had already been punished. 

She politely declined, but Thaddeus insisted, and Samuel added, "Victoria, it's just a small gift. You should accept it." 

Compared to the profits Samuel brought Thaddeus annually, the pearls were insignificant. Given Sophia's rudeness, an apology gift was appropriate.

Eventually, Victoria accepted the gift. Later that evening, she found Ethan and handed him one of the pearls. "One for you, one for me."

Ethan looked at the pearl in his hand, puzzled. "Why?"

"Thaddeus gave them to me, but you got hurt today, so you deserve one. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair."

Ethan smiled wryly. Did he endure the whip just for a pearl? He did it for her. 

But seeing the pearl matched Victoria's, he found it a meaningful keepsake and didn't refuse.

Victoria watched the pearl's colorful reflections and suddenly asked, "Does your wound still hurt?" She asked without looking at him.

"Do you want to see?" Ethan leaned close to her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck. 

Victoria stepped back, covering her neck. "Why so close?" She glanced at his bandaged hand. "Not really," she said, feeling a bit embarrassed. 

After all, Ethan had gotten hurt because of her, and she didn't like feeling indebted to anyone.

Ethan chuckled. "I won't show you. It doesn't hurt anymore." 

The wound looked gruesome, and he didn't want to scare her.