On this day, a vegetable vendor approached Henry Bolton, offering to supply seasonal vegetables on a long-term basis. Although the price was much higher than others, the kickback could be as much as fifty percent, paid in cash on the spot. Henry Bolton couldn’t help but be tempted. Even though this person was a new face, blinded by greed, Henry Bolton still agreed to give it a try.

Early in the morning, the man delivered several carts of fresh winter bamboo shoots, totaling three strings of cash. After settling the bill with the accountant, Henry Bolton ordered him to bring all the bamboo shoots to the kitchen. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, the man gave a signal, and Henry Bolton understood, following him into the inner room. Unexpectedly, just as he got the money in his hand, a cold laugh sounded from behind: “I’ve heard rumors for a long time, but never believed them—today I caught you red-handed!”

Henry Bolton spun around in terror, his soul nearly leaving his body. It was the madam and the master standing at the door. His hand loosened, and the money clattered to the floor.

“Master! Madam! Please let me explain.” He fell to his knees, crawling forward a few steps, wailing in despair.

Mr. Bolton’s face turned green with rage. Pointing at Henry Bolton, he roared, “Explain! Do you want me to gouge out my own eyes?” As the head chef for three years, who knows how much he had embezzled. Suddenly, Mr. Bolton felt sick, wishing he could vomit up everything he’d ever eaten.

“Someone! Tie him up for me.”

Immediately, several strong servants rushed forward and tied Henry Bolton up tightly. Hearing his pig-like screams, they kicked him hard a few more times.

“Master Bolton! This has nothing to do with me. He forced me to pay him, saying it was the rule of your household. If I didn’t, he wouldn’t buy my vegetables. I have a family to feed and was extorted by him. Please, Master, have mercy and don’t cut off my livelihood.”

The vegetable seller knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly like pounding garlic. Luke Bolton whispered a few words to the madam, who sneered coldly, “I was going to hand you over to the authorities, but since this is your first offense, get out! From now on, you are never to set foot in the Zhang household again.”

“Yes! Yes!” The man scrambled up and ran off in a flash. Luke Bolton watched his retreating figure, a barely noticeable gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

Mrs. Bolton glared at Mr. Bolton and said bitterly, “Master! What do you plan to do about this?” This Henry Bolton was brought in by that wretch, and with such clear evidence, she would show no mercy this time.

Mr. Bolton raised his hand to stop the madam from interrupting his thoughts. He was still calculating the kitchen expenses over the past few years. With a thirty percent kickback and inflated prices, the household spent at least two strings of cash on vegetables every day, plus firewood, charcoal, and fruit. Over three years, at the very least, Henry Bolton had embezzled five or six hundred strings of cash. Heavens! Five or six hundred strings—Mr. Bolton’s heart was breaking.

“Beat him to death and make him return every penny!” He could no longer hold back and roared hysterically.

Just then, Frank Bolton arrived after hearing the news. Seeing the scene, he wished he could bash his own head in. He had warned Henry Bolton many times not to take kickbacks in the household, but the fool wouldn’t listen—utter stupidity. Suddenly, seeing Henry Bolton’s pleading gaze turn to him, Frank Bolton’s heart pounded like a drum. He, too, had accepted some of Henry Bolton’s gifts. No! He couldn’t die because of this idiot. Sensing danger, he tried to slip away quietly.

“Head steward, you have to speak up for me!” Henry Bolton, seeing him turn to leave, panicked and shouted loudly, hoping he would plead on his behalf.

“Frank Bolton, stop right there!” Mrs. Bolton had already noticed Frank Bolton. Seeing his nervous and strange expression, she suspected he was also involved.

Hearing the madam call him to stop, Frank Bolton felt as if he had fallen into an abyss. He closed his eyes in agony. “It’s over! It’s all over! This is the end!”

“Henry Bolton, if you confess everything honestly, I might spare your life—and your family’s!” Mrs. Bolton glanced at him, then at Frank Bolton. Suddenly, Henry Bolton understood. He crawled forward two steps and shouted, “Master, I’ll talk! I’ll tell everything.” Pointing at Frank Bolton, he cried, “He—he’s involved too!”

……

That afternoon, the front courtyard of The Bolton Residence was packed with people. The The Bolton Family held a public disciplinary meeting, sentencing Henry Bolton for embezzling the master’s money—his arm was to be broken, and he was to be handed over to the authorities for punishment.

“Master, what punishment should Frank Bolton receive?” Mrs. Bolton looked coldly at her husband. She hated Frank Bolton for bringing in that vixen and had tried several times to drive him away, but her husband always protected him. Now, let’s see how he explains himself.

Mr. Bolton hesitated. Both Frank Bolton’s grandfather and father had been loyal to the The Bolton Family, and he owed them some sentiment. More importantly, if Frank Bolton left, he would truly lose all authority in the household. But if he didn’t punish him, the madam would never let it go.

“Enough, just send him to manage the estate! Bring George Bolton back.” Mr. Bolton sighed. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the second madam slowly walk over and kneel down. With Henry Bolton punished, she dared not show her face. If something happened to Frank Bolton as well, how could she survive in the household?

“Master! For the sake of all the years I’ve served you, please spare Frank Bolton!”

It seemed Frank Bolton was doomed. If she hadn’t shown up, it might have been better. But her plea reminded Mr. Bolton of the recent rumors: the two of them were having an affair.