Marcus Valentine paused mid-step, his gaze settling on Mina Sherwood.

He tightened his grip on his wine glass, then looked away.

Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance had already pushed through to the center of the crowd.

Evelyn parted the onlookers, shielding Mina with her own body.

She glared at Miles Sherwood. "How dare you hit her?"

Miles sneered. "I'm her older brother! The Sherwood family code gives me the right to discipline her when she lacks self-respect!"

"This is domestic abuse!"

Miles stepped around her, addressing Mina directly. "Tell her yourself. Is it abuse when I discipline you?"

Mina's cheek was red and swollen. She kept her head bowed, hand pressed to her face.

Evelyn's voice was sharp. "Getting pregnant before marriage is her choice! You have no right to interfere!"

Miles gestured around them. "Her choice? Did she think about the other Sherwood girls? Did you hear the vile things people were saying? She's ruined the reputation of every Sherwood daughter! If we don't make an example of her today, who will ever want to marry into this family?"

Old-money families prized their public image above all.

A young woman's reputation was particularly fragile.

Fiona Valentine and Penelope Valentine had skillfully guided the conversation, and the crowd's perception of Sherwood women had already soured.

Without a clear resolution, Sherwood daughters would indeed struggle to find suitable matches.

Evelyn frowned, ready to argue further.

But Mina gently pushed her aside. "Grace, let me handle this."

She stepped forward to face Miles, then addressed the crowd. "My actions are my own. They do not reflect on the Sherwood family."

Miles was taken aback.

Mina continued, her voice steady. "Brother, I am ready to accept the family's discipline."

Miles stared at her, stunned. "You..."

Her expression was resolute. "Administer the punishment here. Let everyone witness the strictness of Sherwood family law. Our family's honor must not be tarnished because of my mistakes."

Miles looked genuinely alarmed by her words.

Fiona gasped dramatically. "Family discipline? I heard the Sherwood whip has barbs. One lash tears the skin... How many lashes are required?"

Miles remained silent.

Mina answered for him. "Five."

Fiona covered her mouth. "Five lashes! Her back will be unrecognizable! Mina, why do this? Just name the father. Let your father arrange a marriage. Wouldn't that solve everything?"

Miles lowered his voice, pleading. "Mina, just tell us. Father and I will make it right. Who is the father? Just say the name, and we can work this out. Don't subject yourself to this."

The whip, soaked in saltwater and chili solution, inflicted agony beyond description.

Miles had experienced a single lash as a child. The memory still haunted him.

He couldn't bear the thought of his sister enduring that pain.

Mina clenched her fists, biting her lip in silence.

She couldn't say it.

Marcus Valentine would never acknowledge it.

Why humiliate herself further?

Mina remained stubbornly quiet.

Miles's frustration boiled over. "Mina! Must you be so stubborn? Even if he's a commoner, the family will accept him! Why won't you speak? Is it true what Fiona said? You don't even know who the father is?"

Still, Mina said nothing.

Miles scanned the crowd. "Is he here right now? Look, Mina! He hasn't stepped forward to protect you! Is a man like that really worth this?"

Mina kept her eyes downcast, silent.

Out of options, Miles summoned the family head, Kevin Sherwood.

Kevin arrived swiftly.

He took in Mina's condition, the surrounding crowd, and the reporters.

He knew a public resolution was essential today.

Otherwise, Sherwood family scandals would dominate tomorrow's headlines.

He looked at Mina. "Mina, this is your last chance. Will you speak or not?"

Mina shook her head.

Kevin took a deep breath and addressed the crowd. "Will no one come forward? We support love matches. Step forward now, and the Sherwood family will not pursue this. We will provide a generous dowry for Mina!"

Silence filled the room.

Evelyn glared at Marcus Valentine.

Seeing his complete indifference, she felt a surge of anger and panic.

She turned to Alexander.

He spoke calmly. "I will not help with this."

Evelyn was speechless.

Asking Alexander to claim the child was indeed unreasonable.

But she couldn't just stand by and watch Mina suffer!

She moved to intervene, but Alexander held her back.

His voice was quiet, yet carried to Marcus. "Mina has shamed her family. Consequences are inevitable. After five lashes, she cannot use medication due to her pregnancy. The wounds will heal poorly..."

Evelyn grew more frantic. "What can we do then?"

In the center of the room.

Kevin saw that no one came forward, and Mina remained silent.

He sighed. "Bring me the whip."