Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Chapter 271 Punishment Arrives


"Xu Ke, aren't you going a bit too far?" Peng Hetong said slowly.

An apology *and* a punishment? To be berated until the other party is satisfied? If Peng Hetong, the Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall, actually agreed to that, how could he save face? Does this Xu Ke really think he's somebody?

Xu Ke chuckled. "Let's say I pointed at your nose and called you an old bastard, and then my dad just told me to go home and reflect on my actions. Would we just call it even then? Would you find that acceptable?"

Peng Hetong's expression darkened.

Peng Jiashu, however, couldn't take it anymore and roared, "You're cursing my father?!"

Xu Ke's expression remained unchanged. "I was merely making a hypothetical comparison. But if you insist on believing your father is an old bastard, I can't stop you."

Peng Jiashu's face went stiff.

"Get back here," Peng Hetong yelled. "And keep your mouth shut."

If he remained silent, he would be tacitly admitting Xu Ke had insulted him for free, which was incredibly frustrating. Acknowledging the insult wasn't an option, but denying it wasn't either, so he could only say nothing. Yet his own son had to go and clarify it for everyone… Has he not seen how Xu Ke talked about people eating shit at yesterday's press conference?

"Yes..." Peng Jiashu retreated, seething.

"How about this, Mister Xu," Peng Hetong proposed, changing his tone. "I'll have my son apologize to you, and we can let this matter go. You shouldn't press the issue too hard. After all, you're Wong Qifu's husband, which also makes you Jiashu's elder. What do you say?"

Peng Hetong had laid out the terms quite clearly.

Xu Ke sneered. "According to your son, I'm not yet Qi Fu's husband, let alone his elder. I'm afraid I'm not so fortunate as to be his elder."

The moment the words left his mouth, Peng Hetong's face turned a sickly green. "What exactly do you want? Do you have any idea that even if Wong Qifu were here, she would have to show me some deference?"

This Xu Ke is just being utterly unreasonable!

But Xu Ke just laughed. "What's this? When I talk to you about the rules, you talk to me about seniority. When I talk to you about seniority, you ask me what I want? So, what is it? In fact, I'd like to ask *you*—what do you want? You claim Qi Fu would show you some deference if she were here, but can mere deference supersede the entire purpose of the Tianhai Martial Alliance's rules? By your logic, does that make you even more powerful than Alliance Leader Chen, Chief Peng?"

Peng Hetong's face turned completely livid. "You..."

At that moment, Hua Xingxue stepped forward. "Let it go, Hetong. Just have Jiashu apologize to Mister Xu. Besides, according to the Alliance rules, this only warrants a one-month salary deduction and an internal warning. It's nothing to worry about."

He was trying to get Peng Jiashu to take the loss and move on. Seeing this, Xu Ke said no more. He had read the Tianhai Martial Alliance's rules and knew that the punishment for such an offense was roughly what Hua Xingxue had described.

Hua Xingxue thought he was helping Peng Jiashu, but Peng Jiashu's expression changed dramatically.

This old bastard!

Hearing Hua Xingxue's words, Peng Hetong was even more provoked and glared at him. "What did you say? Just an internal warning? Do you realize that a single warning could prevent my son from ever becoming a Hall Chief? Hua Xingxue, do you still think you're the chief you used to be? Still ordering me around? Shut up and watch!"

Humiliated so ruthlessly, Hua Xingxue's face turned pale. "What did you say? Peng Hetong! Don't you know that an internal warning can be expunged by earning merits? Your son is the one who did wrong today, and when he's unwilling to face his punishment, you blame me instead? If you keep arguing at the gates of the Tianhai Martial Alliance, you'll only disgrace the Alliance itself! How angry do you think the Alliance Hierarch will be when he returns?!"

Peng Hetong was enraged. "Address me as Chief Peng! Who do you think you are? Are you trying to use the Alliance Hierarch to pressure me now? You're just trying to use this as an opportunity to get back at my son, aren't you?!"

With that, Peng Hetong actually shoved Hua Xingxue.

Hua Xingxue instantly lost his balance and stumbled, about to topple down the stairs. It looked as if he was about to land on the back of his head.

Reacting instantly, Xu Ke rushed forward and caught him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine..." Hua Xingxue stammered, the shock still visible on his face. He then erupted in anger, "Peng Hetong, you actually dared to lay a hand on me?"

Peng Hetong sneered, "Lay a hand on you? When did I do that? I barely touched you and you're about to fall? I think you're just putting on an act."

Hua Xingxue's face turned beet red, his lips trembling with fury. "You... You're slandering me!"

"My father didn't do anything," Peng Jiashu added with a sneer as he stepped forward. "Heh, either you're faking it, or your body is simply too frail. You should see a doctor."

Xu Ke laughed. "Old bastard. I never expected you to be even more of a bastard than your son."

"What did you say?!" Peng Hetong exploded with rage.

This time, Xu Ke was pointing his words directly at him, cursing him without any pretense. Peng Hetong was about to physically expel Xu Ke from the premises.

But just then, a stern voice shouted, "Stop! Peng Hetong, what do you think you're doing?!"

Not far away, a black Cayenne had pulled to a stop. A middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle and standing nearly two meters tall got out of the car, his voice booming.

As he spoke, everyone froze in shock.

"Vice... Vice Alliance Leader Yuan!" Peng Hetong's face changed dramatically.

Why is Yuan Shang here?!

Peng Jiashu's expression was even more horrified. They had only dared to cause a scene at the entrance because they thought both Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang were out of Tianhai. Why was Yuan Shang back?

"Heh, I don't think I can bear such a title from you, Chief Peng," Yuan Shang said with a cold laugh. He approached, looked at Xu Ke, and his expression shifted to one of apology. "Mister Xu, my apologies. I'm sorry for being late."

At this sight, the faces of the onlookers changed completely. A deep sense of foreboding washed over Peng Jiashu and Peng Hetong.

"It's no problem, Vice Chairman Yuan. I just arrived myself," Xu Ke said, letting go of Hua Xingxue once he was steady, then turning to Yuan Shang.

"Please, just call me Vice Alliance Leader Yuan," Yuan Shang replied with a friendly smile, though he was privately surprised.

So this is the Divine Doctor Xu?

Xu Ke nodded with a smile. "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan."

The titles "Chairman" and "Vice Chairman" were used externally, as the Tianhai Martial Alliance was also known to the public as the Martial Association. Internally, members used titles like Alliance Hierarch.

Seeing Xu Ke and Yuan Shang greeting each other so familiarly, Peng Jiashu's face had turned white as a sheet.

How come the upright, strict, and impartial Yuan Shang seemed like a different person today? Yuan Shang was known for not getting close to any of the six major families, wasn't he? So why did he greet Xu Ke today like a long-lost brother?

"Good," Yuan Shang said with a pleasant nod. He then turned to Peng Hetong, his expression instantly becoming cold and serious. "Chief Peng, you certainly carry yourself with a lot of authority."

"Vice..." Peng Hetong began, his voice dry.

Yuan Shang cut him off. "Don't. I can't afford the honor. I could hear you all shouting from a distance."

His voice became flat and emotionless as he delivered his judgment.

"As the Chief of the Law Enforcement Hall, you disregarded our internal rules, disrupted the order of the Tianhai Martial Alliance, and set an extremely poor example for the Law Enforcement Hall and all our members. You will be docked three months' salary, receive one internal warning, and you will apologize to both Hua Xingxue and Mister Xu.

"Peng Jiashu, as a member of the Law Enforcement Hall, you overstepped your authority by interfering with visitor management, willfully disrupting the Alliance's order, and insulting a guest. You will be docked six months' salary, be demoted to a regular employee of the Law Enforcement Hall, receive one internal warning, and apologize to both Hua Xingxue and Mister Xu. Furthermore, you will only be eligible for promotion assessment after your warning period has ended.

"As for you two," he said, gesturing to the other guards, "you are demoted to logistics and will be docked one month's salary.

"The official punishment notice will be issued shortly. You may file an appeal if you disagree."

Yuan Shang's imposing height and his icy words made the faces of the Peng father and son, as well as the two guards, drain of all color.

Hua Xingxue was completely stunned by Yuan Shang's swift and decisive actions. No one could have possibly expected his punishment to be so severe.

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