Chapter 708 Punishment
But this matter was indeed true, and she had no choice but to admit it.
Vivienne continued, "Because of your personal actions, you have tarnished the Bennett family's reputation. This is your third mistake, and you will be punished with twenty lashes of the ruler. Do you admit it?"
Giselle felt like she was about to faint.
After sixty lashes, her hand would be useless.
Giselle glared viciously at the phone. "You're really harsh on me. Sixty lashes, don't you think that's too much?"
"Question the decision of the head of the family, add ten more," Vivienne said coldly.
Giselle fell silent.
"Seventy lashes in total. Does anyone have any objections to the punishment I've stated?"
Hunter's eyes were full of ruthlessness. "Giselle, since Vivienne said so, you indeed made a mistake. Accepting the punishment is the right thing to do. But since Vivienne can be this harsh on you, I believe she will be equally fair to Cecily."
Giselle looked at Cecily. Even if she had to endure seventy lashes, Cecily couldn't escape forty lashes of the ruler.
First, Cecily framed her, and second, she damaged the Bennett family's reputation.
No matter what, Cecily deserved forty lashes.
Thinking that Cecily would also be punished, Giselle felt a bit more at ease.
If she had to suffer, no one else should have it easy either.
Vivienne didn't hesitate and continued, "Cecily fought back to protect herself and her child, which is not wrong. In the future, all members of the Bennett family should learn this. If someone tries to harm you outside, don't be soft-hearted. Fight back immediately. Don't let people think the Bennett family is easy to bully."
Cecily listened and pursed her lips lightly.
Giselle wanted to retort but couldn't find the words, so she kept her mouth shut.
Vivienne continued, "But your actions did damage the Bennett family's reputation. You are punished to reflect in your room for a day."
"This is unfair! Why is Cecily only punished to reflect in her room for a day?" Hunter was immediately displeased.
"If you think the punishment is too harsh, fine, change it to half a day."
"Vivienne!" Hunter roared in anger.
"Desmond, do you think there's a problem with what I said?" Vivienne asked.
"Not really. Ms. Cecily Bennett and Miss Giselle Bennett both made mistakes. You've already given appropriate punishments for their errors. I'm sure they will both correct their behavior next time," Desmond replied.
"This is blatant favoritism," Hunter protested, his voice filled with indignation.
"I judged her mistake because I am the head of the family and need to be fair and just according to the family rules. But as a mother, I don't think Cecily did anything wrong. In fact, her retaliation was too mild. Hunter, you are also a father. If your daughter had been the one wronged and framed last night, what would you have done?" Vivienne said.
Hunter didn't speak.
Vivienne said, "You would probably use even harsher punishment on those who harmed Giselle, wouldn't you? You know this in your heart."
"And don't think I don't know what you two have been up to. Do you think you can bully my daughter just because I'm not around? If I were to settle accounts with you now, you two would also have to be punished," she added.
Hunter was angry but couldn't find words to refute.
Giselle was the same. Although she was angry, if they were to settle accounts in detail, Cecily's mistakes would pale in comparison to hers.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Vivienne asked.
The three of them pursed their lips and remained silent.
Hearing no response, Vivienne said, "In that case, Desmond, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes."
Vivienne was about to hang up the phone when Cecily walked over and quickly took the phone. "Mom, wait, I have something to tell you."
Vivienne's finger paused on the hang-up button for a few seconds.
Cecily walked to the side with the phone, her voice even a bit choked. "Mom, where have you been? Why haven't you answered my calls or replied to my messages these days? Is something happening that you're not telling me?"
It seemed Vivienne had anticipated these questions and was prepared, but when Cecily actually asked them, Vivienne found herself unable to answer.
A long silence ensued, so long that Cecily almost thought the call had been disconnected.
"Cecily, I've been very busy these days, so I missed your calls. I saw your messages. I know you're pregnant, and I'm happy for you. Take good care of yourself and don't overwork. If you don't want to go to the company, then don't. Just rest at home, okay?"
Cecily's eyes filled with tears. "You know that's not what I want to hear. Why won't you answer my questions?"
Vivienne heard the choke in Cecily's voice. She took a deep breath to suppress her emotions and calmly said to Cecily, "What could be wrong with me? Didn't I tell you before? I'm just on vacation to relax. But I know everything that's happening over there. Cecily, I've always been with you. You don't need to worry about me, okay?"
"When are you coming back? My birthday is in a few days. Do you remember?" Cecily asked, choking, hoping desperately that she would say she would be back soon.
But Vivienne only said, "Of course, I remember. How could I forget your birthday?"
"Then are you coming back?" Cecily continued to press the question Vivienne was avoiding.
Vivienne was silent for a moment.
Hearing the silence on the other end, Cecily felt a wave of desolation.
"If I can, I will definitely come back."
"Really?"
"Yes." Vivienne tried to keep her tone relaxed and calm, but Cecily still heard the sadness and helplessness in her voice.
"Okay, then I'll wait for you."
"I have things to do here, so I'll hang up now. Take good care of yourself, okay?"
"Okay." Cecily listened to the hang-up tone and slowly put down the phone.
She felt a pang of sadness. She could hear the strangeness in Vivienne's voice, as if she was holding back something.
She told her not to worry, but how could she not?
Desmond looked at Cecily, and Cecilia sighed, shook her head, and walked towards Giselle. "Now, take your punishment."
Giselle's hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she didn't react to Desmond's words.
Hunter's eyes were full of helplessness.
Desmond waved his hand, signaling to the bodyguards nearby.
Giselle glared at them. "Don't touch me. I can walk by myself."
"Then please hurry, Miss Bennett. Don't keep everyone waiting."
Giselle glanced at the ruler; seventy lashes was practically a death sentence.
Reluctantly, she extended her already reddened hand. Desmond signaled for someone to hand him the ruler.
Desmond brought the ruler down hard on Giselle's palm.
With a loud smack, Giselle winced in pain.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
