Instantly, everyone who thought about pleading for Mia backed away.
“Both of you shall receive ten strokes each! I will increase the number if you continue to beg,” Michael cruelly snapped.
With that, Mia’s parents did not dare to continue.
On the other hand, Michael did not feel sorry that Mia had to receive such brutal punishment.
He would not care even if she were beaten to death.
After all, she is a woman.
If she dies, I can easily replace her with another one.
Only the men’s lives matter to me!
All the males in this family are precious to me, and I will hate to lose any of them.
Deeply rooted within this family was the patriarchal thinking, where they preferred males over females.
Even in this age and era, the perception was still ingrained in their minds.
“Go to South Hampton and bring me the ferule now!” Michael ordered.
Since it was a family punishment, he thought they should use the Jones’ ancestral ferule.
He left no room for discussion.
“Dad, since Levi knows everything, what should we do now?”
Everyone was curious.
Michael coldly replied, “It’s simple. Since he is aware, we only have to capture him. Doesn’t he have a wife? I believe he will agree to come with us if we promise to take care of her and the rest of his family on his behalf.”
Then, he continued, “After we are done with Mia’s punishment, we shall send someone to go after him. Of course, please don’t let him get away!”
Wales chuckled. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I always have my men monitoring him, so there is no way for him to escape.”
It did not take long for Levi to find out that Mia had to receive the family punishment.
“Sixty strokes on a small girl? Aren’t they afraid that she will die from it? The Joneses are heartless. We live in a new era, and I can’t believe they still have such traditional family rules in place. What a joke!” Levi spat.
“I will not let anyone touch Mia in my presence.”
He was furious. Deadly daggers were shooting from his eyes, which scared Seth and the rest.
At the Sapphire Villa, Mia and her parents were kneeling in the middle of the living room.
They were surrounded by the other Joneses who watched on expressionlessly but seemed to be mocking them.
Sitting at the front was Michael, who had a domineering aura around him.
The butler beside him said, “Today, Mia was unfilial and broke the family rules. According to the book, she will receive sixty strokes. Give me the ferule!”
With that, a man brought a plate covered by a red cloth to the living room.
The butler removed the cloth to unveil the ferule.
“We shall carry out the punishment now!” Michael commanded.
A fierce-looking man walked towards Mia, with the ferule in his hand.
Mia had long given up hope and knelt there, soaking the floor with her tears.
Her parents were wailing as well.
They had no power within the Jones family and could not even save their daughter.
“Hmph! Just the sight of them makes me angry!”
“It is an honor if you are chosen to go to jail. That is a sacrifice for the family.”
“What is there to complain about?”
The crowd made various sarcastic remarks.
They made it seem like one should be proud to be the sacrificial lamb for the family.
“The first stroke!” The butler called out. Obediently, the burly man lifted the ferule and was about to bring it down onto her.
Mia was terrified and started shaking.
With one stroke, it would probably shorten half her lifespan.
Bang!
At that moment, a brick, thrown from outside into the living room, flew towards the burly man’s face.
Immediately, he tried to dodge and failed to land the first stroke on Mia.
A loud sound was heard when the brick landed on the ground, startling everyone.
Next, a man walked in.
