Amelia couldn't hold back her tears. They streamed down her cheeks, hot and unstoppable.

Kevin's voice was icy. "You were the one who told Dennis to fake a suicide attempt with sleeping pills just to pressure me, weren't you?"

She nodded, sobbing. "Yes."

A sharp crack filled the room as the ruler struck her hands again.

“And you took Dennis's phone watch, kept him from answering my calls, right?” Kevin pressed on.

Amelia nodded, her voice trembling. "Yes, Grandpa, I was wrong..."

Another harsh smack. Amelia flinched, a soft cry escaping her lips.

Kevin's eyes were colder than ever. "Let's make one thing clear, Amelia. I don't care about your little tricks and plans when they happen outside this family. I can look the other way. But you should never, ever use them on your own family. This time, you crossed the line."

Each word was met with another punishing strike. The pain grew sharper until her arms almost dropped from exhaustion.

Kevin's tone was unforgiving. "Keep your hands up. I didn't say you could rest.”

Sniffling, Amelia lifted her trembling hands again, fighting to hold them steady.

Kevin's anger didn't fade. "Did you even think about what you were doing? Teaching Dennis about suicide? What if he decides to try it for real next time? Could you live with that? What if he took too many sleeping pills and something happened to him? I can't accept what you've done. If Dennis had gotten hurt, I would never have forgiven you!"

Her palms throbbed, stinging so much it was hard to breathe. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. I know I was wrong..."

Kevin's words kept coming, heavy and relentless. "Dennis is the Lane family's only great-grandson. Do you know how many people have their eyes on him?e was almost kidnapped before That phone watch has GPS so I always know where he is. It's for his safety. But you took it. What if he'd been taken while you had it? Could you have fixed it? Could you bring him back?"

Amelia bit her lip, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I'm sorry, Grandpa. I won't ever do it again..."

The ruler came down again, louder

and harder than before. The sound echoed end her tears felt faster like pearls slipping from a broken necklace.

Kevin's contempt was obvious. "You were gambling with Dennis's life You let your own selfishness blind you can you even admit you were wrong? Do you understand why you need to remember this?"

Amelia nodded, desperate. "Grandpa, I know I was wrong. I really do."

Her tears didn't move him at all. If anything, his expression turned even colder.

“This time, I'm letting it go only because I don't want Dennis to resent me. Not because of your childish mistakes. Remember that."

Amelia's lips trembled as she tried to speak. Her hands were shaking so badly she could barely keep them raised. “I'll remember.”

Kevin turned away, handing the ruler to the butler standing quietly by his side. The butler took it with a respectful nod.

"Ten more," Kevin said. "Make them count. She's not to leave until it's done."

“Yes, Mr. Lane,” the butler answered softly.

Kevin left the room without another word, his footsteps fading into the silence. Amelia stayed kneeling on the cushion, her sobs now quiet and broken.

The butler let out a quiet sigh, then spoke gently. "I'm sorry, Ms. Gomez."