Chapter 507: You Hit the Wrong Person!

“Pfft! You’re still thinking about Caro Lin ? Did you sneak another one of your mother’s trinkets again? If so, I’d be happy to take it back to Caro Lin for you!” Gervas smirked.

His smile and the word “trinket” struck Laniel’s sore spot instantly.

Remembering how he’d carefully prepared a gift last time, only for Gervas to put it on Caro Lin himself, Laniel gritted his teeth, eyes red, and roared: “Gervas, what did you say?”

But before he’d even finished speaking, before Gervas could answer—

Andrew stormed forward, stepping right up to Laniel.

Andrew’s face was thunderous, glaring fiercely at Laniel.

Laniel jumped, instinctively explaining: “Father, it was Gervas who started—”

SLAP!

Andrew paid no attention, reaching out with both hands.

Before Laniel could react, Andrew clamped him under one arm.

Then, his massive palm began relentlessly slapping Laniel’s buttocks.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

The slaps echoed through the banquet hall—Andrew was going all out, showing no mercy!

Laniel screamed and writhed in agony.

“Father, why are you hitting me? I didn’t do anything wrong—it was Gervas who mocked me!”

“Wah! Father, there are so many people watching! How am I ever going to show my face again?”

Laniel was truly caught off guard this time.

The pain was bad enough—but worse, this was happening at the banquet, surrounded by guests!

He’d never be able to face anyone again.

Watching as Andrew delivered over thirty slaps, Gervas finally strolled forward slowly.

“Father, enough. Laniel’s still young—he’ll learn when he grows up.”

Andrew, hearing this, delivered a few more furious slaps before releasing Laniel.

“Gervas, if you hadn’t stopped me, I’d have made him remember this for life. It’s all because his mother spoiled him!”

Gervas knew well—his “old man” was putting on a show for him.

“Father, we really should be stricter from now on. Only then will he grow into something great—maybe even become a Golden Knight someday!”

“Father, it’s unfair! You beat me in front of everyone just to please Gervas! I’m going to tell Mother!”

While Gervas and Andrew spoke, Laniel—who had just escaped Andrew’s “clutches”—was clearly Bufuqi .

He retreated several meters, eyes watery, accusing Andrew, clearly preparing to go to Lady Mary for justice.

In the past, this had been his usual tactic: Mary would hear of it, know Laniel was wrong, but still scold Andrew for being too harsh and too cruel.

Then came another round of family quarrels—something that drove Andrew to distraction.

And just as Laniel finished his threat, Lady Mary walked in through the main gate.

Seeing Mary arrive, Laniel’s eyes lit up—he’d found his savior. “Mother! You’ve finally come!”

“Laniel, what’s wrong?” Mary blinked.

“Mother, it’s Father! He’s favoring Gervas—he just beat me in front of everyone!” Laniel complained.

Mary’s expression darkened instantly.

Seeing this, Laniel beamed with triumph.

His mother was angry!

This was clearly the beginning of his revenge.

“Mother, I only asked Gervas to return Caro Lin —he tricked her away! Then, when I become a Golden Knight, I’ll forgive him!”

“But Father heard and grabbed me, then beat my butt so hard I can’t feel it anymore!”

“Mother, you have to stand up for me!”

Laniel pressed on, ready to stoke his mother’s fury further.

True to form, Mary’s whole body trembled.

“Ha! Gervas, you’re dead!”

SLAP!

Just as Laniel thought his mother was about to unleash fury on Gervas and his father, he suddenly felt pain again—where his numb butt had been.

Laniel froze, then looked at his mother in confusion. “Mother… what are you doing? You hit the wrong person!”

Mary gritted her teeth. “I didn’t hit the wrong person. Today, I’m teaching you a lesson.”

SLAP!

“I told you to get Caro Lin back!”

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

“I told you to become a Golden Knight!”

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

“I told you… not to disrespect your brother Gervas!”

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!…

“Huh? Mother, are you crazy?”

Laniel was completely stunned.

As Mary chased him, he ran while screaming in disbelief.

Mary grew more furious with every strike, showing no sign of stopping.

“Bring me the rattan whip—I’ll make him run!” Mary shouted to her personal maid.

“Wah!”

Hearing his mother’s words and seeing her murderous expression—

Laniel, who had been fleeing, finally broke down, collapsing where he stood and sobbing uncontrollably.

This was despair beyond sorrow.

His greatest shield in the past had just become the one who beat him the hardest.

Moments later, the maid brought the rattan whip.

Laniel stared at it, eyes wide with terror.

“No, Mother… please don’t hit me…”

Mary ignored him, raising the whip high, then bringing it down hard on Laniel.

SLAP…

But the expected pain never came.

Through tear-blurred eyes, Laniel looked up—and saw Gervas blocking the whip with his sword scabbard.

“Lady Mary, a lesson is enough. There are still many guests here—too harsh a beating will make them laugh. Let him change gradually.”

“Gervas, it’s my fault as a mother—I didn’t discipline him properly, so he’s done so many wrong things and insulted you, his second brother.”

“I apologize to you on his behalf. I swear, he will never repeat his past mistakes again.” Mary’s arm trembled slightly.

Whether from exhaustion or overwhelming emotion, no one could say.

WHOOSH!

Before Gervas could respond—

The crowd erupted.

Many neighbors had recognized Gervas before, and thus knew his former status in the family.

Now, Lady Mary was beating her own son without mercy—and personally apologizing to Gervas, the son of her late husband’s first wife? It was astonishing.

“Lady Mary, we’re family—no need to be so formal. Just discipline Laniel properly from now on; I’m sure he’ll improve!” Gervas smiled warmly.

Though this change in Mary’s attitude came only after Gervas’s status had changed.

But isn’t the world like this?

No one is right or wrong—only that to earn respect, you must first possess equal strength.

Otherwise, beyond blood relatives, how many people will treat you without reservation?

Especially in noble families like this.

Hearing Gervas’s words, Mary breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

She’d pretended to go to the kitchen earlier precisely to give herself time to adjust her mindset.

Now, her attitude toward Gervas had completely reversed.

At this moment, she looked at her son, crouched on the floor, tearful and bewildered, and felt a pang of pity.

She immediately urged: “Laniel, get up and thank Gervas right away!”

“Don’t you know? Your second brother Gervas is now a Count!”

“Even if you became a Golden Knight yourself, you still couldn’t match your second brother Gervas!”