After giving a snort of disdain, Henry chastised Penny and recited all her wrongdoings.
Firstly, she got pregnant before marriage, and she even married the homeless man who defiled her. This brought disgrace to the Smith Family.
Secondly, she was selfish and unfilial as she rebelled against Sean and the elders of the family. Besides, she did not contribute to the family after making a fortune.
Thirdly, she instructed Nathan to assault Marco and Jacob.
After a round of scolding, Henry snickered, "According to our family's law, your parents deserve five lashes for their failure to raise a well-behaved child."
Penny rebuked, "My parents are too frail to withstand five lashes. You will whip them to death!”
Henry squinted his eyes and said, "Anyway, we're a family, so I'm giving you an opportunity to make it up to us. If you're willing to transfer half of Cross Group's shares to our family as a gift, I'll forgive you and omit the punishment. The choice is yours."
Penny's jaw dropped while staring at Henry and Sean. "I get it now. You single out my parents to lay your hands on Cross Group!"
Sean's face turned grim. "Penny, mind your attitude! How dare you talk to Mr. Smith so rudely?"
Henry sniggered at her. "Penny Smith, think carefully before you decide. If you reject me, I'll punish your parents right now, and you'll have to face the consequences too."
Meanwhile, Samuel, Paul and the others gave her ill-intention advice, "Penny, just agree with Mr. Smith for your parents' sake. Otherwise, your parents are going to die in front of you today."
"You can't be so selfish. How can you let your parents be whipped to death and do nothing about it?"
"Is money more important than your parents to you?"
Tears trickled down Penny's face as she pleaded, "Stop forcing me. The Cross Group is Nathan's hard work, so I can't give its shares to you. Please... I beg you, let my parents go. I'll take all the punishments."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Salute to the General