The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 367

Henny was growing older, her authority fading fast since her daughter Laura— Montclair's last reigning matriarch and one of Chicago's powerful lords—was thrown behind bars.

With Laura's downfall, Henny's once iron grip on Montclair weakened drastically.

Now, one of the elders who had long opposed Laura temporarily filled the void, becoming the acting matriarch until the family officially named Sophia as the new leader.

Just days ago, everyone bowed and listened when Henny spoke.

Now, she found herself forced to kneel, humiliated and scorned.

It was unbearable.

"Florence!" Henny barked, eyes blazing with fury.

"Is this how you raise your child? Your daughter doesn't even know how to respect her elders-the very people who could lift her to greatness."

"I warned you clearly: bring Sophia back here immediately to beg my forgiveness!"

"Yes, yes, Madam Henny!" Florence stumbled over herself, rushing frantically toward the door.

By the time she reached the gate, Sophia's car was already vanishing in the distance.

"Sophia! Sophia!" Florence shouted desperately, chasing after the car until her voice cracked.

Breathless and panicked, she dialed Sophia's number, but the calls wouldn't connect.

Returning with dread, she faced Henny.

"Madam Henny, Sophia already left. Maybe she had something urgent. But I promise, the moment I reach her, I'll have her return and apologize. She always listens to me."

Madam Henny seethed, enraged by the disrespect Alex and Sophia had shown her.

Her pride had been crushed.

"Tomorrow," she hissed, standing tall, "Sophia will return to Montclair and apologize personally. If she refuses, she will never become the matriarch."

With that threat hanging in the air, Henny turned and walked away, Clarissa trailing her closely, leaving Florence and Jack bowing in shame.

Meanwhile, Alex and Sophia drove silently toward the clinic.

"You sure about this?" Alex asked gently. He knew Sophia too well; what she'd done wasn't typical of her.

"Why not?" Sophia responded firmly, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Because you're not the type to strike first. You're usually..."

"Always hesitating?"

"Something like that," Alex conceded softly.

Alex. I've got to be strong now. If I don't, everyone

changed," Alex said softly, a

words drifting gently between them all the way to

lingered a moment, feeling the soft tension of things

knew there was something they needed to discuss, yet neither was brave enough to

onto his, filled with raw longing. "Can't we go back to how things

right time," Alex

Gilbert Guise's widow. Maybe

settle down, we can

don't care about ruling Paris," Sophia said fiercely. "All I

gentle smile, masking the ache in

easily. Finish what you started first. You'll be too busy to worry about us anyway. I'm not going anywhere." "You're right," Sophia admitted, reluctantly accepting the reality. It would be scandalous

meant setting her free to chase her

watching her

back toward Paris, Florence's name

Florence's voice trembled urgently. "I begged Madam Henny not to hold a grudge against

bother, Mom. I don't regret

this is Montclair. Even if you despise her, keep those feelings

the chase, Mom," Sophia snapped. "Why

Montclair and apologize to Madam

the call, determined never to revisit that

phone still clutched in her hand, utterly stunned. "Jack, can you believe it? Your sister just

eyes narrowed instantly. "Sophia's never done something

fool is clearly

nodded sharply. "You're right. All of this

to

as she landed, she dove straight into work, her secretary rushing to assist her. She worked late into the night until another phone call interrupted her

already ignored over twenty calls from her mother, but this one came

Sophia

firm but kind. "Sophia, Montclair is under pressure from Lyra Thompson. We've finally agreed to support your claim as Montclair's matriarch and back you fully

suspicion creeping

was only supporting her to solidify their

cautiously, unsure

Montclair is

everyone if we stay

without any conflicts. There's

appointment from Henny's old

them over easily if

small

she knew was coming. "What

need me to do?"

Just a few simple words and it's done. Trust

tense. “Grandma, I