“That’s excessive,” Wallace said, the edge in his voice returning. “You can’t be serious, Dad!”
“I am.”
“It wasn’t even–”
“Enough,” Wilthon cut in. Not loud nor aggressive. But absolute.
Wallace stopped again.
His chest rose slightly with restrained frustration, his gaze darkening… but he didn’t continue.
Because he knew better.
“You will learn discipline,” Wilthon said, his tone unwavering. “Not just in public, but in influence. If you cannot control how others act around you, then you do not deserve the position you think you hold.”
The words settled in, slow and heavy. Unavoidable.
Wallace exhaled sharply through his nose, looking away for a moment before forcing his expression back into something neutral.
“Understood,” he said.
Even if it wasn’t.
Wilthon studied him for a s
