"No matter how old you get, you''re always your dad''s kid. If he thinks you''ve

    screwed up, he''s gonnay down thew."

    "But Mr. Huber hasn''t really lost his temper in years. Whatever Keaton did this

    time must''ve really crossed a line."

    Elysia turned to him. "What do you think happened?"

    Tarquin thought for a moment.

    "Jess said it had something to do with Beatrix. So, rtionship drama, probably."

    "Mr. Huber''s old-school, very traditional. Keaton, on the other hand, is all about

    living wild and free. They argue all the time because their worldviews don''t

    match."

    Winona piped up, "Who''s Beatrix?"

    Elysia answered, "I''ve met her-she''s Keaton''s fiancée. Their families are

    nning a big engagement party at the end of the year."

    "But Jess said Keaton isn''t actually into her. He only agreed to the engagement to

    keep his parents happy."

    Winona raised an eyebrow. "Does Beatrix even like him?"

    Elysia shrugged and looked at Tarquin. "What do you think? Does Beatrix like

    Keaton?"

    Tarquin shook his head. "No idea. Keaton''s never mentioned it."

    Winona continued, "Isn''t Beatrix that academic superstar with a bunch of

    degrees?"

    "Yeah, she''s got an impressive résumé," Tarquin confirmed.

    Winona nodded knowingly. "I know her! No wonder Mr. Huber isn''t a fan-she''s

    definitely not his type."

    Keaton always went for girls who were either drop-dead gorgeous, adorably

    sweet, or had that untouchable ice-queen vibe. Beatrix, with her schrly

    reputation, just wasn''t his style.

    Elysia frowned.

    "If he didn''t like her, he shouldn''t have agreed to it in the first ce. Sure, it''s

    tough to say no to your parents, but saying yes and then backing out is even

    messier."

    Winona pressed her lips together. "Looks like Mr. Huber really misjudged this

    one."

    ...

    When the three of them arrived at the Huber estate, the entire house was

    shrouded in anxiety. People whispered nervously in the halls.

    The master of the house was ready to give his son a serious beating-everyone

    was terrified.

    When Elysia and Winona walked in,

    the old butler did a double take,

    surprised that Tarquin had brought

    them. But after a second, he

    refocused on Tarquin, looking at him

    like he was a knight in shining

    armor.

    "Mr. Bradford, thank goodness

    you''re here! Please, you''ve got to talk

    to Mr. Huber. He''s dead set on

    teaching Keaton a lesson this time!

    Mrs. Huber''s fainted twice from

    crying, but nothing''s getting through

    to him!"

    Tarquin frowned. "What exactly happened?"

    "I''m pretty sure it''s got something to

    do with Ms. Sutton, but I don''t know

    the details. As soon as the Suttons

    arrived this morning, Mr. Huber

    kicked all of us out of the room."

    "The Suttons are here too?"

    "Yeah. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton both looked furious-must be something about the

    engagement."

    Tarquin asked, "Where''s Keaton now?"

    The butler''s eyes were red.

    "He''s in the chapel. Mr. Huber made him kneel there all morning, from dawn until

    noon."

    "Half an hour ago, Mr. Huber went in to talk to him. Who knows what was said, but

    the next thing we know, he''s threatening to use the family cane!"

    "Mrs. Huber was so terrified she started pleading for Keaton, but Mr. Huber

    wouldn''t listen. She literally fainted, and he still wouldn''t stop."

    "You know the Huber family''s old traditions-when they say ''family discipline,''

    they mean it. I don''t even want to imagine what shape Keaton''s in by now."

    The butler had been with the family for decades, practically raised Keaton himself.

    His worry was palpable.

    Tarquin''s frown deepened. "And the Suttons?"

    "They''re still in the living room. I heard Mr. Sutton say they''re not leaving until

    everything gets sorted out."

    Elysia couldn''t help but jump in-