This punch contained all of Evelyn Ross's strength.

Charles Cortez opened his palm, ready to block it head-on.

A relaxed smile was on his face as he met the blow.

"Thud!"

A dull sound echoed from the impact.

Charles's expression changed instantly.

The sheer force of the punch made him sense danger.

He instinctively used his full strength to block, but was still forced back five steps.

Charles was stunned.

He looked down at his numb palm, then back at Evelyn.

Surprise and delight instantly flashed across his face.

He was about to speak when a disciple rushed in and interrupted.

"Second Uncle! Something bad has happened!"

Charles frowned. "What is it?"

The newcomer was a lower-ranked inner disciple.

He gasped for breath. "The Evans family has come to the Discipline Hall to make trouble."

"They claim the Cortez Sect is condoning an outer disciple's violent actions outside."

"They said Justin Evans, the third young master, was severely beaten!"

The disciple shot a furtive glance at Evelyn.

Charles was still processing. "Justin? That playboy?"

"If an outer disciple did it, just handle it according to sect rules."

The disciple looked helplessly at Ethan Valentine and Evelyn. "But it was Grace who beat him!"

Charles immediately turned to Evelyn. "You did this?"

Evelyn admitted frankly. "Yes."

Rumors about Mina Sherwood had to be stopped at the source.

Justin was stubborn and refused to back down, so she had to use more force.

It was only after Alexander Vance stepped in that Justin finally apologized.

She hadn't expected them to cause trouble now.

Evelyn's face was dark. "He slandered my friend, Mina Sherwood."

"Mina is now my sister-in-law, so she's family."

"The Cortez Sect rules don't say we can't fight back when outsiders bully us, right?"

Charles smiled wryly and nodded. "There is indeed no such rule."

Evelyn continued. "Bullying isn't just physical harm."

"Spreading malicious rumors is also bullying."

"What he did is known everywhere online. The evidence is solid."

"Was I wrong to hit him?"

Charles sighed. "If he were an outsider, it would be fine."

"But he is the fifth uncle's registered disciple!"

Evelyn was stunned. "What?"

Charles explained. "The five major families in New York have intermarried for generations."

"Each family sends their children to the Cortez Sect to learn martial arts."

"Outstanding ones like your third brother become inner disciples."

"Those without talent choose a direct descendant to be a registered disciple."

He shook his head helplessly. "Justin is your fifth uncle's registered disciple."

"The Cortez Sect rules state you cannot attack seniors outside of formal sparring."

"He is your senior brother. Hitting him is a violation."

Evelyn was speechless.

Did the Cortez Sect accept disciples so casually?

Ethan said urgently, "Master, as of today, my sister is your registered disciple."

"Her status is higher than Justin's. Doesn't that settle it?"

Charles shook his head. "The Cortez Sect is strict about disciple registration. It must be recorded."

"I only gave verbal approval today. It hasn't been registered yet."

"She is not an official disciple."

Cortez Sect disciples have three levels.

Outer disciples are the lowest. Registered disciples and inner disciples have similar status.

But inner disciples are the core of the Cortez Sect.

Evelyn hitting Justin did violate sect rules.

Unless she was already an inner disciple and enrolled before Justin.

But that was clearly impossible.

Ethan said anxiously, "We can't hand my sister over!"

"Second Senior Brother, just say you did it!"

He turned to Evelyn. "Sister, tell me how you hit him that day."

"I'll take all the blame later."

"As the second senior brother, disciplining a junior is justified."

Evelyn shook her head. "I did it openly."

She and Alexander Vance stormed into the club to get him. The whole thing was on camera.

Ethan gritted his teeth. "Then say I dressed as a woman and did it!"

Everyone's eyes moved between their faces.

They all showed expressions of disbelief.

There was no way anyone could mistake those two faces.

Just as Evelyn was about to speak, a sharp shout came from outside.

"Is this how the Cortez Sect fools our Evans family?"

Everyone turned to see a middle-aged woman striding in.

Justin followed beside her, his face bruised and swollen.

When he saw Evelyn, his eyes turned vicious. He looked ready to pounce.

He pointed at Evelyn and said to the woman, "Mom, she's the one who hit me!"

"She almost ruined me! You might not have grandchildren because of her!"

Mrs. Evans immediately glared at Evelyn. "You're the one who bullied my son?"

She then looked at Charles. "Charles Cortez, are you shielding this outer disciple?"

"The Cortez Sect is known for its strict rules. Do you not care about your reputation? Or the sect's?"

She sneered and looked outside. "Call your sect leader!"

"You must give me an answer today!"