Chapter 1084

Carissa leaned forward, her tone sharp. “Tell me, Lord Quinton, can you withstand being charged?”

Malcolm’s expression darkened. He wanted only quiet, to avoid attracting attention. His youngest daughter had recently returned and was now under his concubine Willow's care. With the crown prince's succession unresolved, any Quinton family scandal would reflect poorly on Connor. Trey, merely a servant elevated by Malcolm, was ultimately expendable. Weighing the situation, Malcolm’s decision was swift, malice evident in his gaze.

Trembling, Trey slammed his head against the ground, pleading for mercy.

“You wretched scum!” Malcolm bellowed. “You dare beg mercy after defiling an innocent lady? Death wouldn't suffice!”

Through sobs, Trey choked out, “My lord, how is she innocent? The Whitley family offered her! You didn't want her, so… so I made a mistake! But she wasn’t innocent! She'd taken aphrodisiacs! I was trying to save her! I don’t deserve death!”

Malcolm’s fury intensified, his hatred for Douglas burning. He’d rejected Douglas’s earlier offer for his daughter, yet Douglas had resorted to such vile tactics.

Turning to Carissa, his resolve hardened. “Lady Carissa, do you want his life? If so, I’ll end it now.”

Carissa’s expression remained impassive. “He belongs to the Quinton household. His punishment is your decision, Lord Quinton.”

Malcolm’s lips tightened, anger simmering. She clearly desired Trey's death but avoided stating it directly. Regardless of the outcome, she remained untouchable, protecting the Hell Monarch and his household.

Grinding his teeth, Malcolm ordered, “Drag him out. Beat him to death!”

Trey’s eyes widened in disbelief. He threw himself to the ground, pleading frantically, “My lord, have mercy! Please, spare me!”

As Malcolm turned, Trey crawled to Carissa, his voice desperate. “Even by law, my crime doesn't warrant death! You vicious woman!”

Carissa’s gaze was icy. “If you believe the law will spare you, ask your lord to send you to the authorities. The court’s sentence is what you’ll serve. I won't interfere.”

Defeated, Trey slumped to the ground, turning to Malcolm, tears streaming down his face. Bowing low, he begged, “My lord, please! Send me to the authorities! Let them decide my fate!”

Malcolm’s eyes flared with fury. Trey's request wasn't ignorance; it was defiance. He understood the implications. Sending Trey to the authorities would disgrace the Quinton family—an unacceptable humiliation. Every servant knew the family's honor superseded all else, even their lives. Such foolishness was unforgivable.

Any pity vanished. His face hardened. He barked, “Take him away!”

The guards dragged Trey from the room. In the courtyard, the crack of the rod echoed as blows rained down until Trey's screams ceased.

Malcolm turned to Carissa, anger blazing. “Are you satisfied, Lady Carissa? This was Mr. Whitley’s doing—I rejected him! This was an unprovoked disaster for my family, yet you refuse to let go. It’s disheartening.”

Carissa laughed bitterly. “If Trey hadn’t harmed Ms. Whitley, this wouldn’t have involved your family. But he did. Whose power did Trey borrow, Lord Quinton?”

Carissa glanced at the pale man and left. In the courtyard, she gave Trey a cold look. He was alive, but barely, his lower body soaked in blood. He would survive, but never walk again.