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456words
I also reported the steward to the authorities for theft.
News of me punishing Wilson spread like wildfire before midday.
Warren returned home humiliated and angry. He didn't dare confront me, so he took it out on Yvonne.
During dinner, I noticed fresh whip marks on her arms and slammed my utensils down.
"You monster! A wife is someone to cherish, not to torture!"
Warren glared at me. "You're overreacting, Mom. Yvonne is my wife — why would I hurt her? She fell… Isn't that right, Yvonne?"
Yvonne held her arm weakly and nodded.
"Madame, I really did this to myself. It has nothing to do with Warren."
But her inner voice clearly said Warren had been beating and abusing her.
I looked at Yvonne, frustrated by her submissiveness, then threw a teacup at Warren's head.
"You wretched boy! Do you think I'm a fool?! Apologize to Yvonne now!"
But Warren didn't move an inch.
I figured he was still angry about me punishing Wilson.
"Apologize to her? If it weren't for the fact that her father once saved my life, a plain girl like her wouldn't even be fit to shine my shoes!"
I slammed the table.
"She's not good enough for you? You haven't even passed the basic civil exams in ten years! Look at yourself — what have you accomplished?!"
Warren's face turned red with humiliation.
I saw his fists clench tightly. "What? Are you thinking of hitting me?!"
What chilled me was that Warren didn't deny it. His eyes burned with pure hatred.
"Madame, it's all my fault. Please don't be angry…" Yvonne begged.
"Ugh! You fake, pathetic woman!"
Warren finally found an outlet for his rage and kicked Yvonne away.
"Women like you are nothing but trouble! You all need to be put in your place!"
Furious, I called the servants to bind Warren.
I whipped him until he cried out in pain.
"How could you choose an outsider over your own son?!"
"An outsider? Sure — to men like you, women who marry in will always be outsiders!"
I gripped the whip tightly. "You said women are nothing but trouble? Well, let me tell you what we're really good at: punishing bastards who try to hurt us!"
Warren had been spoiled, barely training for strength.
I beat him relentlessly until Yvonne couldn't bear it anymore and begged me to stop.
"Madame, please! You can't let my unborn child grow up without a father!"
Her words made both Warren and me freeze.
I was overjoyed that she was pregnant, but Warren looked disgusted.
"Dammit, why now? If Dad finds out, he'll…"
Hearing his muttering, I narrowed my eyes.
