Chapter 6 Punish Ethan

Ethan Austin was caught off guard because he hadn't expected her to be so bold to make a complaint. He glared at her with a warning look and said, "Please, Ms. Austin, stop lying! Obviously, you're the one who spilled the milk, and it has nothing to do with us." Bradley noticed the puddle of milk behind Freya. His eyes turned icy cold as if a thin layer of frost had formed beneath his sunglasses. "I didn't... I didn't tell a lie. They called me a retard and said Mr. Austin is an ugly freak. They say a retard and an ugly freak are a match made in heaven," Freya muttered sadly, curling her body up like a shrimp. Bradley's face became even colder as he turned to face Ethan. He didn't want anyone mocking his new bride as a retard, regardless of what others said about her. Ethan trembled. He thought to himself, "Damn it! How can this moron repeat my words?" Ethan locked eyes with his uncle. Bradley's blindness didn't prevent Ethan from feeling the chill of his powerful presence and oppressive aura. Ethan, however, was undeterred. He crossed his arms and sneered, "Uncle Bradley, don't believe her nonsense. How can you believe what she says when she's got problem with her head?" Ethan was two years younger than Bradley, but due to their family hierarchy, he had to address him as "uncle." Since Bradley joined the Austin family, Ethan and his father, Arthur, collaborated to make life difficult for him. All of the Austins knew that Bradley had married a woman with a mental disability. Bradley suspected Ethan had arrived at the Royal Garden Mansion early in the morning on Arthur's instructions. He had always wanted to confront his nephew but had never had the chance, so he would no longer be polite to the bully who had arrived at his door uninvited today. "I won't tolerate you calling her an idiot!" Bradley said in a gloomy tone. He signaled Frederick with a raised hand. Understanding his intention, Frederick left the room. He soon came back with a whip in his hand. Ethan trembled, clearly terrified. "Uncle Bradley, what are you planning to do?" he worriedly asked Bradley. Rather than responding to Ethan, Bradley ordered at Frederick, "Hit him!" Frederick walked towards Ethan and announced, "Ethan, she is the lady of the Royal Garden Mansion. Instead of insulting her or using rude language toward Mr. Austin, you should respect her by addressing her as "Aunt Freya," as is customary in our family. Mr. Austin wants to make it clear that anyone dare to insult Mrs. Austin will be dealt with in accordance with the Royal Garden Mansion's disciplinary policies!" "Disciplinary policies?" Ethan was taken aback as he suspected that Frederick intended to whip him. "Kneel before Mr. Austin!" Frederick exclaimed as he finished speaking. "You old fool, who do you think you are? Who dares to touch me?" yelled Ethan, his face flushed with rage. After that, there was a loud swish as the whip cracked down hard. Ethan cried out in pain, "Damn you, how dare you hit me! I'm going to have my dad kill you. Frederick summoned two guards with a wave of his hand, who quickly overpowered Ethan and brought him to Bradley. Ethan was forced to kneel in front of Bradley after being kicked in the knee. Bradley's eyes were tinged with ferocity behind his sunglasses, and he exuded a terrifying aura as if he had come from hell. He'd never forget how awful his family had treated him. A devastating fire seven years ago paralyzed him and confined him to a wheelchair for five of those years. He also lost his eyesight, and his face was disfigured due to inhaling so much smoke. They insulted him so much that he had to leave his home. He wouldn't be here today if his grandfather hadn't protected him. He felt it was time to settle the score now that he had regained his strength and could live a normal life. He swore that he would exact revenge on those who had caused him pain. Frederick repeatedly struck Ethan, causing him to cry out in agony. Freya clenched her fists tightly when she heard the horrible sound of flesh tearing as if the pain was echoing in her heart. She had no idea that a man she had only met twice could be such a dependable protector. Suddenly, Freya realized that he didn't appear to be as terrifying as the rumors suggested. After receiving twenty lashes, Ethan's back was a mangled mass of flesh and blood. Only then did Frederick halt the punishment and respectfully ask, "Mr. Austin, what shall we do with him next?" "Send Ethan back to my father's house. Leave Arthur to deal with him," Bradley commanded. "Yes." Frederick left with the gifts after Ethan was taken away, leaving Freya and Bradley alone in the hall. Bradley's expression was gloomy, and it was clear that he was still angry. He moved his wheelchair closer to Freya and spoke in a low voice, "As long as I am here, no one will dare to bully you." Freya stood immobile as if she were a statue. She couldn't believe he was trying to keep her safe. It hadn't been long since he tricked her into kissing him, and now he was punishing Ethan on her behalf. He appeared to genuinely believe she was a retard. Bradley said nothing further and simply motioned for Rosa to assist Freya in getting to the dining room. He didn't have time to sit down for lunch with her and instead then left. Freya was shocked to see a plate of meat on the dining room table, as she felt like she was being treated like a pig. Not knowing what she was thinking, Rosa placed the food on the table and said, "Mrs. Austin, Mr. Austin said you like eating meat, so I prepared meat for every meal. Feel free to eat whatever you want." Freya looked blank. She realized that Bradley had taken her words to heart. "I'll gain weight if I eat this much meat every day!" she thought. Freya had absolutely no appetite after realizing that Bradley truly regarded her as a fool. The Austin mansion was built in a time-honored and aesthetically pleasing classical style. Owen Austin sat in the main seat in the hall, joined by his eldest son Arthur and his daughter-in-law Lydia. "Dad, I had someone bring you some of this fine tea this morning. Do you want to try some? Arthur beamed as he said. Owen sipped the tea, nodded approvingly, and commented, "It's not bad." Then he turned to the couple and said, "Bradley is getting married today. Even though he didn't hold a large wedding, you have to follow proper etiquette as his family." "Don't worry, Dad," Lydia reassured Owen gently, "I sent Ethan to the Royal Garden Mansion, and he should be back soon." Owen nodded as he said, "It would be wonderful if she could overcome the curse on Bradley and live a happy life with him." Arthur said confidently, "Don't worry, Dad. This girl is destined to bring an end to Bradley's misfortune. Good times are on the horizon for him." "I certainly hope so. He's been through a lot over the years, and he deserves someone to look after him," Owen said as sorrow filled his eyes. He knew that the Austin family truly owed Bradley so much. A servant's voice came from outside the door: "I'm sorry, Mr. Austin. People from the Royal Garden Mansion have brought Ethan back."