CHAPTER 38: ANTONIO’S PUNISHMENT

Nathan pressed his lips together. "I have an agreement with him. And I have six months to think about it," he replied.

Antonio smirked. "I don’t know why you need such a silly agreement. But fine. Now I want to talk about running away."

Alexander immediately interrupted. "I’ve already handled it. You don’t need to worry."

Antonio shook his head. "I need to worry, because they will grow up and they have to know the consequences of their actions."

Nathan looked down. Nael held on to Alexander’s arm, because he was also guilty. And the way Antonio said "they" meant Nael was definitely included in this.

Nathan snorted, feeling cornered. But he didn’t want to be blamed.

"I didn’t mean to cause trouble," Nathan said softly.

Antonio raised an eyebrow. "No? But do you know what you did? You ran away. You got your brother ’hospitalized.’" He flicked his cane in Malvin’s direction. "You disrupted business, schedules, security, and the sanity of everyone in the house."

Nathan had no answer and looked down.

Alexander shifted slightly behind Nathan, but Antonio raised one finger.

"Stay there, Alexander. Let the boy answer."

Nathan balled his fists.

Nael stepped forward nervously. "Grandpa, it wasn’t like that. We—"

Antonio snapped his gaze toward him.

"And you," he said softly, somehow sounding even worse. "You ran away with him. Do you realize how stupid that was?"

Nael’s throat bobbed. "I... I just wanted to—"

Antonio’s cane tapped the floor once.

Everyone flinched.

"I did not give you permission to speak," Antonio said calmly. Cruelly calm. "Both of you... making a mess, a stupid mess, dragging Alexander out like a madman, forcing your brothers to panic, making the guards scramble like animals... Tell me why I shouldn’t punish you."

Nael’s face drained of color.

Nathan’s breath hitched, his chest tightening.

Antonio watched their fear with unsettling satisfaction.

"Ah," he murmured. "That look. The realization that your actions have consequences."

He leaned back, resting one arm casually over the sofa.

"Now tell me," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Why shouldn’t I punish you?" He repeated himself. "I won’t mind breaking one of your legs."

Nathan bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to tremble.

Antonio lifted his cane and pointed directly at Nathan. "Answer me, boy."

Nathan’s voice cracked. "I don’t know... I didn’t think—"

"No," Antonio cut him off sharply. "You did not think. That is the problem."

Nathan felt his face flush. He was really annoyed by the man’s words. He wanted to get out of there right now. Screw it! But... he stayed.

He now understood why his brothers seemed uncomfortable whenever the man came. He cursed his presence. He really did have the main villain of his life.

Antonio Salazar.

Nael stepped forward, his voice trembling. "It was my idea too. Don’t only blame Nathan—"

Antonio’s gaze snapped to him. "Did I say you could speak?"

Nael immediately fell silent, eyes stinging.

Antonio shifted his attention back to Nathan.

"You caused panic. You caused fear. You caused damage. You humiliated this family in front of our staff and security. What if this matter gets out to the media? You will cause chaos. And worst of all..." he leaned forward slightly, "you made everyone worry."

That part hit harder than anything else.

Nathan felt the words like a punch to the stomach.

Antonio’s tone lowered to almost a hiss.

"Do you know what Alexander is? What he carries? How much he handles? And you think you can add your foolishness on top of his burdens?"

Nathan’s eyes stung despite himself.

Antonio looked pleased.

He slowly stood up, leaning on his cane, not because he needed to, but because it made his presence even more imposing.

"Come here," he commanded, making Nathan nervous. Nathan shuffled on the sofa, moving closer.

He was surprised when Antonio suddenly pulled him forward.

"Ah!" he yelped as his stomach landed over the old man’s lap. Before he realized what was happening, a hard slap landed on his buttocks.

Alexander stepped forward. "No, Grandpa. Stop it!"

Antonio held up a hand to stop him. "You make everyone weak. Every once in a while, you have to punish them."

"Aahh!" Nathan screamed when the second slap hit harder than the first and caught him off guard.

He was shocked. He had not expected to be spanked like a little kid. But here he was. "What are you doing?!" he shouted, trying to get up.

But Antonio’s hands, though old, were as strong as iron. One hand pressed down on Nathan’s back while the other swung hard at his buttocks.

"This time I’ll only spank you ten times, but next time I’ll really break your legs. If you try to run away again, I’ll search the whole country for you. You don’t need to run away just to leave this place. Just say the word, and I’ll send you to the Amazon."

Nathan didn’t hear the words clearly, he was too busy wriggling, trying to escape. But he couldn’t move until he had received all ten spanks. His buttocks felt hot even through his thick pants. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like without any protection. The old man was incredibly strong!

He gasped, trying to endure the pain. When the pressure on his back finally loosened, he immediately moved, stumbling before falling to the floor.

Alexander clicked his tongue, looking annoyed. He quickly pulled Nathan’s hand, helping him stand and pulling him behind his body.

"It’s enough."

Antonio shook his head. He looked at Nael. "Come."

Nael trembled, looking at Alexander.

Alexander was now in a dilemma. If he protected Nael, Nathan would feel discriminated against. Nael had run away and caused trouble just like him.

Nael seemed to accept it.

Nathan rubbed his sore buttocks and cursed softly. The old man was completely insane. But he saw Nael treated the same. The boy didn’t scream, though.

Seeing how resigned Nael was, it seemed he was already used to Antonio’s ways.

Nael immediately stood up after receiving ten spankings. He grimaced in pain.

Nathan pouted. "This is abusive! You can’t spank me like that!"

Antonio chuckled. "No? Who will stop me? You want another one? Come here."

Nathan quickly hid behind Alexander.

Everyone fell silent, the atmosphere tense. Even Roger, who usually talked a lot, didn’t say a word.

Antonio checked his watch. He hated being late. Everything had to be on schedule. Dinner was in fifteen minutes.

"There are still five minutes left. There’s still time to spank each of you for neglecting the kids," he said.

They all sighed. "Not again~"

"Alex, come here," Antonio said.

Alexander looked at his grandfather in surprise, then clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Seriously? I don’t have time for this nonsense!"

"Alex, you have to set an example!"

"Nope."

Alexander grabbed the twins by both hands and pushed them toward the dining table. "It’s time to eat," he whispered.

Seeing Alexander walk away, all his younger brothers immediately followed him, leaving Antonio alone in the living room. But instead of getting upset, the old man just chuckled, then picked up his cane and stood.

His hands were still hot from spanking the two boys.

"Alfred, bring me the documents from the car. I forgot them," he ordered his bodyguard.

The middle-aged man named Alfred nodded quickly and walked away.