The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 363

Old Henny glared venomously at Sophia. She had despised the girl from the moment she'd laid eyes on her.

When the Montclair family-one of the Five Lords of Chicago-fell from grace, panic rippled through the city as their empire began to crumble.

They desperately searched for their next matriarch.

Clarissa Montclair, Henny's granddaughter, was the natural successor until Betty Montclair, that slippery snake, returned from her long exile.

Not only did Betty reappear unexpectedly, she brought with her Sophia, the potential next governor of Paris, sending the entire Montclair clan scrambling to curry favor with Betty.

Henny's bitterness turned to rage as she watched her granddaughter's birthright being snatched away.

Without informing Betty, Henny dragged Clarissa to confront Sophia directly.

Sophia stood speechless, struggling to grasp the nonsense spewing from the old woman's mouth.

Did she just hear something about kneeling?

What century were they living in, demanding respect from strangers?

Clarissa eyed Sophia with envy, bitterness tainting her voice as she sneered, "Hey, you! Are you blind? My grandmother stands before you!"

"Kneel and show some respect, you arrogant brat! You clearly don't deserve to lead the Montclairs."

"Grandma, we can't let someone like her become matriarch-or governor of Paris, for that matter!"

Alex's brow furrowed deeply.

He knew full well the Montclairs had lost nearly everything when their former matriarch fell from power, dragging the family into scandal after scandal.

Lyra, the new governor of Chicago, had a reputation for ruthlessness and was itching to punish the five disgraced families for their corruption.

Sophia's friendship with Lyra was the Montclairs' last lifeline.

They desperately needed Sophia to become governor of Paris, to preserve what little prestige remained.

Yet here were these two vile women, playing their manipulative games as if people were fools.

Alex's fists tightened, ready to put the old witch in her place, when Florence suddenly rushed to Sophia's side.

Florence

is Madam Henny, an elder of the Montclair family. It's our tradition for younger members to kneel before their elders. Just kneel, alright? Please

slapped his own forehead

had clearly been seduced by the false allure of

confusion and doubt clouding

didn't even know felt humiliating. Yet

voice echoing clearly for

king himself. If you kneel to this woman, you might face severe consequences. Think carefully

know nothing, then don't speak nonsense!

for this foolishness—she's a governor, and only the king has the right to

fell silent, cornered by

steady breath, standing firm

honor to meet you, Madam Henny, but I'm afraid I cannot follow the Montclair tradition to kneel. As acting governor of Paris, my

disliked Henny from their first

cold stare and dismissive attitude made it clear she

her voice dripping with arrogance. "Bring

tea!"

and placed it respectfully

serves guests? Have you

blinked in

low-class people. They wouldn't recognize proper etiquette even if it hit them in the face," Clarissa

always served first? How dare your

Clarissa grabbed the teacup

hot tea into the

pain, tears streaming down her scalded

you worthless maid,

to insult our family

unworthy of the Montclair name!" Clarissa shouted

the case!" Florence rushed

just a new maid who doesn't understand our ways.

grabbing another cup and offering it respectfully to Henny with

our ignorance. Allow me

Florence with utter

you are, daring

polite smile faltering as