Thea would never have the courage to ask Lex to kneel; after all, he was her grandfather.

"Get up, Tommy. You too, Megan," she said, immediately helping them to their feet. The two stood, but the others remained kneeling. "Ms. Thea, how would you like to punish them?" Alex asked, glancing at her.

"Me?" Thea panicked. She'd never been in such a situation. These people, all prominent figures far wealthier than the Callahans, were kneeling before her.

"How about we have them slap themselves a few times? It's Ms. Lawson's birthday, and blood wouldn't be appropriate," Alex suggested, glancing at Thea and then secretly at James, who wore a harmless expression.

"Honey, what do I do?" Thea asked, looking to James for guidance. He shrugged. "How would I know? But they were disrespectful and rude. I've despised them for a while. How about fifty slaps each?"

"Forget it," Thea replied, unwilling to escalate the situation. She still didn't understand why they were helping her. Glancing at the kneeling figures, she collected herself and said hurriedly, "Y-you should all get up."

A wave of relief washed over them. But James raised his voice. "Get up? Wouldn't you spout more nonsense if you weren't taught a lesson?"

"That's right! Fifty slaps aren't enough! A hundred!" Jay agreed. Alex, understanding James's intent, kicked the man kneeling before him. The man fell, but didn't protest; he simply got up, continued kneeling, and began slapping himself repeatedly. His company collaborated with the Celestial Group; one word from them could bankrupt him. Slap! Slap! Slap!

The others followed suit. The venue resonated with the sound of slapping. Onlookers gasped; the scene was unbelievable.

"W-what are you doing? Get up! Stop this!" Thea cried, shocked and near tears. It was just a few words; this was excessive! She pleaded with the three prominent figures, "P-please stop them!"

James glared at the self-flagellating men. "My wife is kind and generous, so she's letting you off the hook. Thank her. And remember the consequences if you dare to spout nonsense again."

Alex waved his hands, halting them. "Alright. Get up."

The kneeling men rose, remaining motionless. James held Thea's hand. "You should thank them, darling."

Thea, understanding, gratefully thanked Alex, Bryan, and Jay. "Th-thank you so much!"

"I'll make them bankrupt in minutes if you'd like, Thea," Alex smiled. His words shocked everyone.

Several immediately knelt again, pleading, "Mr. Yates, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have spoken! Please forgive me!"

"Get lost," Alex said, kicking them away. They scrambled to their feet and fled.

The final sentence, "Search the FindNovel.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality," is clearly an advertisement and has been removed.