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.

dear,” Florence

It's our tradition for younger members to kneel before their elders. Just kneel, alright? Please don't

his own

clearly been seduced by the false allure of

confusion and

she didn't even know felt humiliating. Yet her mother kept pressing, panic

decisively, his voice echoing clearly for

you are the acting governor of Paris. You don't need to kneel to anyone except the king himself. If you kneel to this woman, you might face severe consequences. Think carefully about

Florence snapped hastily. "If you know nothing, then don't speak nonsense! Sophia

by the king for this foolishness—she's a governor, and

fell silent, cornered by his blunt

breath, standing firm as she

you, Madam Henny, but I'm afraid I cannot follow the Montclair

first encounter, sensing the

made it

her voice dripping with arrogance. "Bring

Madam Henny some tea!" Florence

into a delicate cup, and placed it respectfully before Sophia and Henny, who sat opposite

this how your family serves guests? Have you no manners at all?" Henny

blinked in confusion. "Excuse

from such low-class people. They wouldn't recognize proper

elders are always served first? How dare your servant offer tea to

hesitation, Clarissa grabbed the teacup intended

hot tea into the maid's

in pain, tears streaming down her scalded

me, you

family elder? Is this

You're all despicable and unworthy of the

No, that's absolutely not the case!" Florence

just a new maid who doesn't understand our ways. I'll dismiss her

hastily grabbing another cup and

our ignorance. Allow

Florence with

you are, daring

smile faltering as humiliation