Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 22 22 The Fall of a Wolf, The Rise of a Lion

Jenny's words were cut off by a brutal punch to the gut.

Her body lurched forward as she gasped, eyes wide in shock.

Hugo cracked his knuckles.

"Sorry, Young Master," he said, his voice laced with disgust. "My ears couldn't take it anymore."

William let out a soft chuckle.

"You did well. Someone bring me a whip."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Unlike before, the servants obeyed instantly, scrambling to fetch what he requested.

Moments later, they returned with a long, coiled whip—thick, made from water-soaked buffalo hide.

Tiny metal beads were embedded along its length, designed to tear through flesh with every strike.

William took the weapon in his hands, running his fingers over the braided leather.

"Wake her up."

"Yes, Young Master."

Smack. Smack.

Jenny's head snapped to the side as she was lightly slapped awake.

Her eyes fluttered open, dazed.

William crouched in front of her, twirling the whip idly in his hand.

"Awake now?"

"Y-Young Master... what... what are you...?"

"What does it look like?" he said, smiling. "An execution."

"E-Execution?"

"Did you think this was a punishment? My apologies—there was never a chance of you walking away from this."

Jenny's face turned ashen.

He was serious.

He was really going to kill her.

"J-Jordi! Do you not fear Jordi?!" she shrieked.

William let out a breathy laugh.

"And what about you? Are you not afraid of me?"

Jenny froze.

William leaned in, voice as casual as if discussing the weather.

"I'm a noble. I own you. And you—" His eyes darkened. "—dared to insult me to my face. I could execute you right now for slandering nobility, and no one would question it."

Jenny's breath hitched.

"B-But I—!"

At best, Jordi would receive a light scolding.

William, on the other hand? He'd lose what little favor he had left.

Of course, William could always do nothing and let Jenny stay.

In that case, Father's disappointment would be even worse.

Either way, William was finished.

"Young Master! Urgent news!"

Jordi frowned at his servant's sudden interruption.

"What is it?"

The man was pale as he stammered, "It's Jenny! The third young master—he's whipping her! The sound of the lashes can be heard from outside! If we don't stop him, she might die!"

"...What?"

Jordi's smirk vanished.

For the first time, genuine shock crossed his face.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Jordi stormed down the hallway, his closest aides scrambling to keep up.

His face was twisted in a mixture of disbelief and rage.

"This morning, I was told William tried to punish Jenny and got humiliated! That the servants ignored him! And now—just a few hours later—he's whipping her?!"

"Th-That is correct, my lord."

"Then explain it to me properly!" Jordi snarled. "Did the servants lose their minds and start obeying him out of nowhere? Or did that pathetic fool suddenly gain superhuman strength and drag her here himself?! Which is it?!"

The elderly steward flinched at the verbal assault, bowing his head in submission.

"I-I do not know, my lord. The servants—they were the ones who took Jenny. Unlike this morning, they showed no hesitation. They did not seem to fear her at all."

Jordi clenched his jaw so tightly it hurt.

If William had personally dragged Jenny here or hired outsiders, that would have made sense.

But the very servants who had ignored him earlier—the ones too terrified to lay a finger on Jenny—had suddenly turned on her?

It didn't add up.

CRACK!

A sharp snap cut through the hallway, followed by a bloodcurdling scream.

Jordi's eyes widened.

That voice...!

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Throwing aside all remaining pretense, he ran.

With a single powerful kick, he slammed open the door to William's quarters.

BANG!

"Enough! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"