Mr. Harris was furious, sneering, “Good, good, good, what a ‘just hit if you want to hit’—you… really…” He seemed somewhat wary of Thomas Carter’s father, so he couldn’t bring himself to say anything too harsh. Instead, his fierce gaze fell on William Carter: “And you, William Carter, you’ve only just come to the academy, and it would be one thing if you were just ignorant, but you actually dared to hit someone. You… you’re truly worse than a pig or a dog. What books have you been reading, huh… heh heh… fine, fine, let’s go. This matter cannot be left at that. I can’t discipline you, but your The Carter Family certainly has people to deal with you. We’ll go see Old Master right now and let him have a good look at you, a good look!”

The words “worse than a pig or a dog” were clearly a heavy insult.

William Carter’s face darkened. Although Mr. Harris disliked Thomas Carter as well, he only insulted him indirectly, but when it came to himself, the words were vicious to the extreme.

Hearing that they were to see Mr. Carter, Thomas Carter became a little afraid, his face turning somewhat pale. On the contrary, James Carter immediately started to stir things up: “That’s right, we should see Grandfather. This matter can’t just be let go.”

Mr. Harris stroked his beard, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

He had been hired by the Second Master, and the The Carter Family was currently under the Second Master’s management. His own livelihood actually depended on The Carter Family’s Second Master. A few days ago, he saw the Second Master looking gloomy and knew what was troubling him—nothing more than the fact that the main branch had suddenly become the second branch, and his elder brother had returned. In the future, the The Carter Family might well be in the hands of the eldest.

Mr. Harris was a shrewd man. Since he understood this, he was eager to make a big deal out of this incident. He confronted William Carter head-on, but his real target was the head of the main branch, The Carter Family’s Eldest Master. It was said that Old Master used to be quite fond of that Eldest Master, but the latter had committed a grave offense, so he had been cold-shouldered ever since. However, as time passed, perhaps the rift between father and son would heal. If he didn’t make something out of this, and let Old Master see how useless the main branch was, wouldn’t the clan’s authority fall back into the hands of the Eldest Master?

Mr. Harris’s actions were essentially currying favor with the Second Master.

With a cold face, he shouted, “Let’s see how the strict Old Mr. Carter will deal with you.”

Chapter 7: Very Foolish, Very Naive

The eldest young master had been beaten up.

The entire The Carter Family was already in an uproar.

Hearing that the culprits were Thomas Carter and William Carter, Second Master Edward Carter rushed to the main hall at once. Old Mr. Carter was already there. Seeing his father’s grave expression, Edward Carter knew that his father was truly angry.

The third son, Stephen Carter, also arrived. He still looked sickly as ever. He merely nodded at Edward Carter. This third uncle’s expression was somewhat anxious—after all, his own son was involved in the beating. If Old Master got angry, it would be no joke.

Most importantly, the matter also involved Mr. Harris.

Mr. Harris sat calmly to one side. Stephen Carter knew Old Master’s temperament: if it were just a family matter, it might be handled behind closed doors, but once outsiders were involved, Old Master cared most about upholding the family’s reputation. This would not end well—there would definitely be harsh punishment.

Everyone was already seated. Mr. Harris added fuel to the fire, recounting the whole story again, but his version made Stephen Carter breathe a sigh of relief.

“The most detestable is this William. Who knows where he learned such methods, to strike his own elder brother so ruthlessly. This boy never applies himself to his studies at the academy—lazy, ignorant, utterly absurd. Old Master, these words are not easy for me to say, but if I keep silent and something worse happens in the future, how can I, as a teacher, answer to you? I have taught for many years and never seen such a mischievous child.”

Mr. Harris unleashed his full firepower, directing it all at William Carter.

{The Old Master}’s face was now ashen.

He was a man who cared about appearances. Now that the The Carter Family had produced such a “disgraceful child,” how could it sound good if word got out? Moreover, he knew very well that Mr. Harris was a hired tutor. Even if the children had faults, he would usually cover for them a bit, so as not to speak too harshly and cause offense. That’s why, even though Thomas Carter was mischievous, Mr. Harris would only make mild complaints in front of Old Master, never using words like “lazy, ignorant, utterly absurd.”

It seemed… that William Carter… was truly hopeless…

Old Mr. Carter kept a stern face, but still maintained a calm demeanor: “Bring them in.”

After a moment, a commotion sounded outside. First, James Carter stumbled in, fell to his knees, and cried out miserably, “Grandfather, William Carter and Thomas Carter hit me!”

{The Old Master} saw that James Carter’s nose was bruised, his clothes torn, his face covered in dust. James Carter raised his now far-from-handsome face, blood all over, looking quite frightening.

Old Mr. Carter felt both heartache and anger—heartache that his beloved grandson had ended up like this, anger that William Carter and Thomas Carter—all brothers—could be so ruthless.

{The Old Master} withdrew his gaze, becoming unexpectedly calm, for at that moment, Thomas Carter and William Carter also entered.

Don’t be fooled by how cocky Thomas Carter was in front of Mr. Harris; in front of Old Master, he was like a sick cat, shuffling in with his hands at his sides, head hanging in dejection.