Chapter 14 The Jade Ruler

"Mr. Aldrich, the truth has been revealed. I can't fabricate the video of Harper, nor can I fake the photos she exposed herself." Emily sneered coldly. She continued, "Bob is your beloved grandson, but Mr. Ethan is your son. As the head of the Thomas family, you should make a decision." Ethan showed a slight movement in his eyes, his face displaying a hint of surprise. He thought, ‘Is this woman speaking up for me?’ Aldrich's expression turned even uglier. He lifted his head, pointing one hand at Bob and slamming his cane fiercely with the other. "Bob, kneel to your uncle!" Aldrich thundered. Bob shuddered slightly, then hurriedly knelt before Ethan. But as he looked up at Ethan, a smile played on his lips, his expression full of provocation as he mouthed, "What can you do to me?" He was facing away from Aldrich, so Aldrich couldn't see the current state of Bob. But Emily could see clearly. She thought, ‘This is truly bullying!’ "Uncle Ethan, I'm sorry. I was seduced by Harper and got involved with her. But I quickly came to my senses and distanced myself from her. I didn't expect her to keep pestering me..." Bob's face wore a smug smile, but he pretended to cry, "Uncle Ethan, now that you're married to Aunt Emily, there's nothing between you and Harper. Please don't blame me for this, okay?" Ethan didn't even bother to respond, just gave a cold snort. Aldrich didn't want any more internal family disputes. He said, "Ethan, Bob is still young and fickle. Since he has apologized for this matter..." "Hold on!" Emily interrupted Aldrich. She smiled and asked, "Mr. Aldrich, aren’t you being biased? Just because Bob said a few words, you believe him? Is this matter going to be settled just like that? And moreover, Bob, didn’t you say that you don’t consider me as your aunt and Harper should be your aunt instead? However, it turns out Harper was already in bed with you privately." Emily mocked Bob sarcastically, making Bob itch with anger, wishing he could strangle her. William couldn't stand it anymore and spoke in his deep voice. "Emily, this is indeed Bob's fault. He is the eldest grandson of my father and has been spoiled since childhood. As elders, we should forgive and educate him. We will teach Bob a lesson soon." Even though William's apology seemed sincere, it was essentially moral coercion, hinting at Bob’s status as the eldest grandson of Aldrich. Emily thought, ‘This is ridiculous!’ She sneered and questioned: "Mr. William, is Bob’s behavior of making a cuckold out of his uncle the result of your teaching? I heard that you are very involved with many female celebrities, Bob is also in the entertainment industry. If the two of you made each other cuckold, I won’t be surprised. She was mocking the chaotic private lives of William and Bob, implying they might even share women. William’s face darkened with anger. He had initially thought Emily was merely eloquent, but now it seemed she had quite a bit of inside information. Clearly, he had underestimated her. He thought, ‘Who exactly is this woman? How did she and Ethan know each other? She is protecting Ethan at every turn and will surely become a major headache in the future.’ "That's enough, Miss Parker. You are not yet part of the Thomas family, so you have no right to interfere in our family affairs," Aldrich rebuked coldly, cutting off Emily. However, Ethan, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, his voice detached yet firm. "Emily is my legally wedded wife. We have a legal relationship, so she is now a true member of the Thomas family." Emily turned to look at Ethan in surprise and thought, ‘So he hadn't chosen to stay silent. He just hadn't found the right moment to speak up.’ "Before Emily and I registered our marriage, Harper was my nominal fiancée. Bobn's affair with my former fiancée warrants disciplinary action according to family law," Ethan's voice was hauntingly calm, icy yet commanding. It was an unintentional display of authority. But Emily couldn't hear the rest of his words. When he uttered her name, her brain seemed to buzz loudly. She thought, ‘He actually called me so intimately.’ "Yes, indeed. Such a flagrant act of betrayal warrants more than a simple apology. Does the Thomas family lack both dignity and discipline?" Emily echoed. Having spoken these words, she felt like she was echoing her husband. Bob was seething with rage, about to retort when Aldrich's weathered voice suddenly rang out, "Steward Josh, bring the jade ruler." "What's the jade ruler?" Emily wondered aloud, noticing Bob's change in expression. "The jade ruler is one of the Thomas family's heirlooms, a polished jade stick. Those who err in the Thomas family must receive a beating with the jade rod," Ethan explained calmly to Emily. Emily immediately understood. "No, Grandfather, I don't want to..." Bob realized what was happening and hurriedly knelt in Aldrich's direction, clutching his leg and crying, "Grandfather, I won't do it again, I really won't. Please spare me from the jade rod!" Aldrich sat upright on the wooden sofa, completely ignoring Bob's pleas. At this moment, Josh Castillo walked over holding an exquisite jade rod, followed by someone carrying a long bench. Emily was instantly captivated by the jade rod. It was green with hints of white and purple, translucent all over, clearly a top-notch item. She thought, ‘Indeed, it deserves to be called a family heirloom. However, using such a thing to punish Bob, who was nothing but a waste, seems like a waste in itself.’ Looking at the jade rod and the bench, Bob sat down on the ground in fear, completely devoid of his previous arrogance and pride. "Bob, be a good boy and lie down. Let's say, one hundred… No, fifty hits," Aldrich finally relented somewhat reluctantly. Bob glanced at his father, William, whose face was grim. He did not plead for him but turned away. Bob knew he couldn't escape this. He glared angrily at Ethan and Emily, then walked to the bench and lay down. Josh raised the jade rod in his hand and struck Bob's buttocks. Bob screamed in pain. Emily wrinkled her brows in disgust. She thought, ‘Isn't this just a disguised form of ancient corporal punishment? But fifty hits seem too light. Bob's round and sturdy buttocks seem quite resistant to the beating.’ "Mr. Aldrich, there's no need to trouble Josh with this matter. Why not let me handle it?" Emily volunteered, stepping forward.