Seeing his defiance, Lily's temper flared even hotter. "Still not moving? Fine, let's try this again!"

Smack!

The second slap landed on the opposite cheek, leaving another vivid red mark. Yet, Mr. Waters still refused to yield.

"Are you deaf?" Lily growled. "I said move!"

Despite the pain and humiliation, Mr. Waters remained silent, his resolve unshaken.

Just as Lily raised her hand for another strike, a deep, icy voice rang out. "Enough!"

The sound stopped Lily in her tracks. She turned to see Alex descending the stairs, his expression as cold as a storm and clear irritation in his eyes.

In truth, Alex had started making his way downstairs after the first slap. However, the moment he saw Lily strike Mr. Waters a second time, his gaze slapped, and his anger became palpable.

Walking up to Mr. Waters, Alex placed a hand on the older man's shoulder, his voice softening as he asked, "Are you alright, Mr. Waters? I'm sorry because of me…" but before he could...

Mr. Waters, moved by the concern in Alex's eyes, shook his head. "Sir, I'm fine. And you should not be apologising to me instead it should be me that should be apologising… I apologize for not handling the situation better."

Alex's gaze lingered on the red marks on Mr. Waters's face, his jaw tightening. Though the butler's words were humble, Alex couldn't suppress the anger simmering beneath the surface.

"You've done nothing wrong," Alex said firmly, his voice carrying an unyielding authority. "From now on, no one is allowed to lay a hand on you—no one… not even me."

The warmth in Alex's words stirred a deep sense of loyalty in Mr. Waters, even as he felt guilty for causing trouble. "Sir… Thank you… for such Kind Words…" he murmured, bowing his head.

"No… there is no need to apologise for such matters… instead I should have prevented something like this."

Lily stood to the side, her expression twisting in fury as she watched Alex descend the stairs.

And talking to some servant and not her. Clearly ignoring her for some mere servant. He should be facing her right now… yet, instead of addressing her directly, his first concern was for Mr. Waters, his faithful servant. This disregard only fueled her anger.

"Alex!" she snapped, her voice laced with impatience. "I'm talking to you! Are you deaf, or are you just ignoring me?"

Her words went unanswered. Alex inspected Mr. Waters's injuries with calm precision, his expression darkening with each passing moment. Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying a chilling authority.

"Mr. Waters, whoever hit you—return the favor. Exactly as they did to you." Alex said, looking at Lily.

"What did you just say?" Lily's disbelief was palpable, her voice rising in shock.

"You'd hit me, your own sister, over a mere servant?" she exclaimed, incredulous. "Am I hearing this right?"

Even Mr. Waters, who had long served by Alex's side, was stunned by this order.

"Sir…" he began, his tone uncertain, as though questioning whether he had heard correctly.

Alex's gaze sharpened, his voice turning colder. "Do it. Hit her back."

Mr. Waters hesitated for only a moment before nodding. Turning toward Lily, he raised his hand, and with a swift motion…

Smack!

A crisp slap echoed through the room.

Lily staggered slightly, her cheek instantly reddening from the force of the blow. Her eyes widened in disbelief. This… this was unprecedented.

In the past, no matter how outrageous her behavior, Alex would never lay a hand on her. But today…

"Thank you, Sir," Mr. Waters murmured, his voice trembling with emotion.

The warmth in his chest was overwhelming. For years, he had served the Reid family without complaint, enduring countless slights in silence.

Never had he expected Alex to stand up for him—especially not against his own sister.

But this time, Alex had proven otherwise.

Lily finally snapped out of her daze, clutching her reddened cheek. Her voice rose in an enraged screech. "Alex, you're insane! You had him hit me—for a servant?!"

"Servant?" Alex's tone was calm, but the underlying edge was sharp enough to cut. "He's more loyal than you've ever been."

Then, without sparing Lily a glance, he issued another command.

"Mr. Waters, from what I heared it wasn't just one slap… hit her again." Alex said or more like order him and likely Mr. Waters hesitated no longer.

Smack!

The sound echoed again, louder this time.

"Not hard enough. Do it again," Alex ordered, his expression unchanging.

Smack!

Another slap landed.

"Nah… nah nah nah the angle was a little but off. Do it again but with the right angle."

Smack!

"You're holding back Waters. Use more force."

Smack!

"The posture isn't right. Try again."

Smack!

"Again."

…

…

…

…

…

Time after time, Mr. Waters followed Alex's instructions, each slap ringing louder than the last. By the end, Lily's once-pristine face was swollen and red, her cheeks puffed up like a pig's snout.

Mr. Waters's hand trembled with pain from the repeated strikes, his palm red and raw. Yet, every time Alex issued a command, he obeyed without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Lily stood frozen, her pride and dignity shattered alongside her composure. Tears welled in her eyes, but her anger rendered her speechless.

"Enough," Alex finally said, his tone calm but cold.

Mr. Waters stepped back, lowering his hand. His gaze was filled with gratitude, yet a trace of guilt lingered as he glanced at Lily.

Alex turned his piercing gaze toward Lily, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. "Remember this, Lily. I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting the people loyal to me, especially someone who is here for me rather than even my own family—not even you. If you can't grasp that, then don't bother showing your face to me or here ever again."

Lily's lips quivered, but she said nothing. She turned and stormed off, her steps heavy with humiliation.

Behind her, Mr. Waters bowed deeply to Alex, his voice thick with emotion. "Sir, thank you for standing up for me…"

Alex's gaze softened slightly as he responded, "You've earned it, Mr. Waters. You were always by my side no matter the circumstances. And I won't allow anyone to trample over you—not even my own FAMILY."

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Magic Castle 🏰 = 5 Bonus Chapters

Bonus Chapters on: 300, 500, 700 Power Stones.

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(A/N: Next Chapter Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)

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