Chapter 423

Realizing the passersby had noticed them, the man couldn't simply shove Theo aside and run. He feared attracting the security guards at the entrance, so he reluctantly rubbed Theo's legs. "Does it still hurt?" he asked patiently. "I still have something to do. Can you go find Mom and Dad yourself? I'll bring you candy next time."

Theo smiled innocently. "Sure."

The man sighed in relief and stood to leave. Unexpectedly, several security guards approached and stopped him. "Sir, we've received a report that you're suspected of stealing company secrets. Please follow us to the security office for an investigation." The man's face paled. He reached for his waistband, intending to draw his gun and escape, but he fumbled!

"Sir, looking for something like this?" Theo shook the gun he'd just taken. A wicked grin spread across his cute face. "How could you bring such a dangerous thing to the company? You're a real lousy employee."

The man was astonished. 'This little brat! When did he take the gun? He even knew how to open the safety and load it! Who taught a child such things!'

The spy's face turned green, and he was sweating profusely. He then saw Will approaching. A glimmer of malice flashed in his eyes. He lunged, attempting to shove aside a security guard. Seeing the spy charging with a switchblade, Will froze. Theo almost swore. Panicked, he tossed the gun. "Will, catch it!"

He and Will were at an angle; the spy couldn't intercept it. The pistol arced through the air and landed squarely in Will's hand. The spy was less than a yard away.

Will pressed his lips together, bracing himself. He aimed the gun at the spy, and without hesitation, pulled the trigger.

A deafening gunshot echoed through the hall; only a few passersby screamed. The bullet struck the ground at the spy's feet, kicking up dust.

The spy stumbled. He couldn't believe he'd been intimidated by a child. For a moment, he froze. A security guard who'd caught up tackled him to the ground, confiscated his weapons, and handcuffed him.

"Fuck! What just happened?"

"Isn't that Mr. McDaniel from the McDaniel family? He fired that shot!"

"Who taught such a young kid to shoot? Guess the big shots' kids are special," the employees whispered.

Will remained calm. Apart from an initial frown, his expression was almost blank. He approached the security guards and requested they call the police.

Theo ran over, remembering the spy lunging at Will. Furious, he kicked the spy's pants with his small legs, leaving a shoeprint. "Who gave you the nerve to attack my brother? You wanna die? I'll kick you to death!" Unsatisfied, he kicked him again.

Will's heart melted. He pulled Theo back. "Okay, don't kick until your feet hurt."

The spy, face down and hands bound, was immobile and humiliated. If his associates learned he'd been subdued by two children, he'd be disgraced. "Two Mr. McDaniels!" the secretary exclaimed.

The boys turned as Byron stood before the secretary, looking furious. They recoiled. 'Crap'.

Byron dragged them back to the office. "Who taught you to act like Rambo and confront a spy?"

"We had a plan," Theo explained. "We located him, split up, stalled him, and looked for backup. We cornered him!" "You're quite proud of yourselves?" Byron narrowed his eyes.

Will stepped forward. "Dad, we wanted to stop him. He had a gun. We couldn't find you, so we acted. We didn't mean to endanger ourselves."

"He was stealing something important," Theo added from behind Will. "Shouldn't you praise us?"

Byron stared at him, then Theo's eyes lit up. Before Will could stop him, he scurried over. "Come here. I'll give you back your snacks." He held out his hand. "Give it to me."

Byron's expression changed. He scooped Theo up, placed him on the sofa, and spanked him.

Theo was stunned. His mother's spankings were light. But his father was harsh! He began to cry, kicking his legs. He couldn't escape Byron's spankings.

Will quickly grabbed Byron's hand. "Dad, it's my fault. I led the way. Spank me, not Theo."

"You think you shouldn't be punished?" Byron glanced at him. "Lie down." Will, unused to being spanked, obeyed. Theo became more upset. "Mean old Dad, you can't spank Will! I'll take responsibility! Spank me! I'm not scared!" He was spanked again. They shared the punishment; each received five swats.

Afterwards, they lay still, lifeless. Theo was angry; Will was ashamed.

"You know what you did wrong?" Byron asked sternly. "Will, you go first."

Will's bottom burned. His usually calm voice was tinged with embarrassment. "Dad, we're too young. We shouldn't fight dangerous people when we can't protect ourselves. We were playing with fire."

"There's more," Byron said.

"When we encountered a problem, we didn't ask for your help immediately," Will admitted.

Byron looked at Theo. "You can tell me the rest."

Theo pouted. He knew why Byron was angry and why he'd been spanked. He wasn't actually that mad.