All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Joseph Cortez strode in purposefully.
Disciples bowed respectfully.
They greeted him as the Sect Leader.
Joseph waved dismissively.
He walked directly to the main seat and sat down.
His condition had clearly improved today.
The swelling around his eyes had subsided.
All traces of facial allergy were gone.
He had regained his usual imposing aura.
Charles Cortez spoke first.
"Sect Leader, you just said Mr. Valentine wouldn't apologize? While it's true Mr. Valentine never backs down, Grace did strike first this time..."
Joseph let out a derisive laugh.
"Having such a disgrace in our sect is our failure. He acted recklessly outside. Any disciple had the right to discipline him!"
Charles looked troubled.
"That's true in principle... But Grace's status is special. She should have reported to the sect first, not taken matters into her own hands. Otherwise, what purpose does the Discipline Hall serve?"
Joseph's gaze turned sharp.
"Isn't it already useless?"
Charles was confused.
Yesterday, the Sect Leader had patiently dealt with Mrs. Evans.
Today, his attitude was unexpectedly firm.
He cleared his throat softly.
"Sect Leader, that's not the key point. The issue is Grace had no right to attack her senior brother!"
Joseph's lips curved slightly.
"Who says she didn't?"
Charles was stunned.
"What right does she have?"
The Sect Leader simply smiled without answering.
An announcement suddenly came from outside.
"Sect Leader, Second Uncle, we have a guest!"
"Who is it?"
"Mr. Valentine. We've already opened the main gate to welcome him in."
Hearing Mr. Valentine had arrived personally.
The Sect Leader and Charles exchanged a glance.
They quickly rose to greet him.
They had just reached the courtyard.
A line of black vehicles drove in.
Their presence was overwhelming.
Mr. Valentine's car stopped steadily before them.
An assistant quickly got out.
He respectfully opened the car door.
Mr. Valentine coldly scanned Joseph and Charles.
Only then did he step out of the car.
Joseph stepped forward.
"Valentine, what brings you here?"
Mr. Valentine gave a cold laugh.
"I heard my daughter has been greatly wronged in the Cortez Sect. Someone named Jason bullies her daily. I'm here today to demand justice."
Charles was momentarily speechless.
Jason was clearly the victim now.
How did it suddenly seem like Grace was the wronged party?
He couldn't help stepping forward.
"Sir, you've come at the right time. Please take Grace home to lay low. Wait until the Evans family calms down before..."
Mr. Valentine's eyes turned icy.
"My daughter did nothing wrong. Why should she hide?"
Charles looked at the Sect Leader.
He saw Joseph nodding in agreement.
"There's indeed no need to hide."
"Just because she injured a direct descendant of my Evans family!"
Mrs. Evans arrived with imposing fury.
Her car was parked outside.
Bodyguards followed behind carrying a stretcher.
Jason lay on the stretcher.
A blanket covered his body.
A support brace was visible at his thigh area.
His face was pale.
His eyes held a venomous glare.
He looked at Mrs. Evans with a tearful tone.
"Aunt, you must get justice for me!"
Mrs. Evans turned to Mr. Valentine.
"Valentine, your daughter beat my nephew to this state. You must give an explanation!"
Mr. Valentine spread his hands.
"Your nephew has been bullying my daughter in the Cortez Sect for a long time. Shouldn't you give me an explanation too?"
Mrs. Evans angrily retorted.
"Stop making excuses!"
"Excuses? Jason bullying my daughter is known to every outer disciple of the Cortez Sect. Should we ask them one by one?"
Mrs. Evans stubbornly argued.
"Even so, she shouldn't have resorted to violence!"
Mr. Valentine sneered.
"Your nephew is allowed to bully others, but my daughter isn't allowed to defend herself? What kind of logic is that?"
Mrs. Evans snorted coldly.
"From what I know, he didn't lay a hand on your daughter yesterday."
Mr. Valentine scoffed.
"A coward who preys on the weak naturally wouldn't dare touch my daughter. He was just bullying another child, and my daughter intervened because she couldn't stand it! If you disagree, Mrs. Evans, feel free to call the police! Let's see how they handle it!"
Mrs. Evans was momentarily speechless.
It was true Jason had bullied others first.
Even if they called the police.
At most, Grace would be judged for excessive self-defense.
She'd just have to pay some medical compensation.
She turned to look at Joseph.
"Sect Leader, what do you say?"
Before Joseph could answer.
Mrs. Evans spoke first.
"Perhaps Grace isn't wrong in the outside world's eyes. But what about the Cortez Sect's rules? I can let yesterday's matter with my son slide. But Jason is permanently disabled this time! She cannot be let off lightly! I demand the Cortez Sect inflict double the pain Jason suffered back on her! And expel her from the sect!"
Ethan Valentine glanced at Jason.
He cleared his throat softly.
"Mrs. Evans, my sister... really doesn't have that... how could she have kicked and... exploded it?"
Everyone was stunned.
This actually made some sense.
Other injuries could be replicated.
This specific injury truly couldn't be inflicted on a woman.
Mrs. Evans gave a cold laugh.
"I've already thought of that. Damaging her reproductive organs, removing her uterus will be the punishment!"
Jason can no longer have offspring.
So Grace should lose her fertility too.
That would be fair.
Mr. Valentine's expression changed drastically.
He stepped forward.
His gaze fixed fiercely on Mrs. Evans.
"Let's see who dares lay a hand on my daughter!"
His presence was overwhelming.
Everyone present was startled.
But Mrs. Evans showed no fear.
"What? Are you going to hit a woman, sir?"
Mr. Valentine narrowed his eyes.
He remained silent.
Mrs. Evans looked at Joseph again.
"Sect Leader Cortez, does the Cortez Sect operate on who shouts loudest? Are the sect rules no longer followed? I demand Grace be punished according to the sect rules!"
Joseph spoke unhurriedly.
"But Grace hasn't violated any sect rules, has she?"