Florence and the others present were stunned into silence
as they took in Dustin's righteous speech. Their faces were etched with d
isbelief. How dare he humiliate the highly respected third matriarch of t
he Nicholsons in public!
"You… insolent brat! You? Teach me a lesson? Do you know I can bring your
family to ruins with just one word?" Gloria cradled her burning face as s
he screeched in anger, losing her previous dignified elegance.
"You can try." Dustin showed no signs of fear.
"Hah!" Gloria exclaimed in anger before dissolving into scornful laughter
. "Oh, Florence, what a great family you have. I came all the way here to
Swinton just to elevate your family to a higher status. And yet, you're
not only ungrateful, but you dare rebel against me? I believe this letter
of appointment would have better use for another person! Since you're no
t interested in assuming the role of Chairman at Cardinal Group, I'll hav
e the family patriarch revoke the appointment."
As Gloria pulled out her phone, Florence panicked and fell to her knees w
ith a thud. She begged, " Madam Gloria, let's not be rash, shall we? This
punk has nothing to
do with us. You can't put the blame on us for his actions."
Dakota interjected, "Don't listen to her nonsense, Grandma! This guy is t
heir son–in–law!" "Ex–ex–son–in–
law! They got a divorce a long time ago!" Florence corrected her vehement
ly.
"Hmph! No one cares about your complicated relationships! Since he'd alre
ady married into the Nicholsons, he's a part of your family!" Gloria cont
inued with a dark expression, "Your family had better give us a satisfied
response; otherwise, we are no longer family!"
"R–
right! I'll have him apologize immediately!" Florence nodded incessantly
and turned toward Dustin. She bellowed, "Rhys! Why are you still standing
there? Hurry up and get on your knees!" "You can kneel all you want. I'm
not about to indulge her," Dustin said lazily.
"D–
did you hear that? Did you? This brat has no manners!" Gloria was irritat
ed to her core.
"Bastard! I told you to apologize!" As Florence erupted in fury, she
stood up
and was about to land a heavy slap when Dustin grabbed hold of her hand.
He gritted his teeth and said coldly, "Don't involve me in your buttering
–up scheme!" He threw her aside forcefully.
Florence staggered back two steps, almost losing her balance. Her anger r
eached a tipping point. Wow! Did you just lay your hands on me? Dahlia! L
ook! This is the kind of man you love!" "Enough!" Dahlia shot up and glar
ed at Gloria and her group.
"Madam Gloria, I'm not sure about your purpose for visiting. If you're he
re for a serious
matter, please get to the point. I believe it's pointless if you're just
here to show off your authority." Even though Dahlia was grateful for the
opportunity, that didn't mean she would let them walk all over
her.
"Dahlia Nicholson, how bold of you! How dare you use that tone with Grand
ma?" Dakota reprimanded her severely.
Dahlia replied calmly, "What's wrong with my tone? I'm just asking for an
explanation. If the family patriarch thinks I'm not fit for the position
, I have no qualms for him to revoke the appointment."
"You …" Dakota was about to start a new tirade when Gloria raised her han
d and interrupted her. "Alright, since you wish to discuss serious matter
s, we'll follow the usual discourse!" Gloria backed off at the mention of
the family patriarch, but her expression remained hostile.
"Even though the family patriarch has appointed you the chairman of Cardi
nal Group, there's a
condition. You have to prove you have what it takes to assume control of
Cardinal Group."
"And how should I do that?" Dahlia asked.
"It's simple. The company is in the midst of an important expansion and i
s in urgent need of funds amounting to one billion. You'll pass the test
once you manage to secure one billion in
investments."
"One billion?"