“Thank you, Mrs. Clark!”
Madeline immediately expressed her gratitude, her legs trembling with excitement.
To receive praise from Tessa Watson herself-what an honor! It was a moment of unparalleled glory, one that would bring pride to her entire family. If the news spread to Niarak, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation.
Madeline silently vowed to herself: she would work even harder to prove her worth and live up to everyone’s expectations. For the first time, her confidence in the future was unshakable.
Flynn, are you watching?
Step by step, I’m climbing higher. Slowly, I’ll earn my crown.
In just a few short days since arriving in Slatin, I’ve completely changed the way people see me.
Even Cora Caldwell envies me now. She smiled at me today.
If Tessa Watson herself has shown interest in forming ties with me, what about everyone else?
And you, Flynn? You’re still struggling, resorting to shortcuts and underhanded tricks. You lack real determination and steadiness.
I’m not far from Layla now!
Madeline’s thoughts took an ambitious turn. If she maintained her current momentum, why not aim higher? Could she set her sights on surpassing Lila, the queen of Haralu’s business world and the head of Titan Holdings?
It seemed possible.
Though it might take over a decade-maybe even longer-Tessa Watson’s compliment had given her the courage to dream.
“Mrs. Clark, your birthday is in five days. Could I also have the honor of attending?” Madeline asked nervously, her voice tinged with anticipation. “I’d love to wish you a long life and boundless fortune.”
Tessa Watson was momentarily taken aback before breaking into a smile. “If I were to refuse, wouldn’t that disappoint you?”
“Come. Join us.”
At those words, Cora Caldwell and the others were left speechless.
Tessa Watson’s 50th birthday celebration was already the talk of Slatin. It was set to be an extravagant affair, with the Clark family anticipating guests from across the region. Prominent families from neighboring provinces were also expected to attend-over a thousand elite families had expressed interest.
Given the Clark family’s influence, only those with a fortune exceeding billions were to receive invitations. Even then, each family head was permitted to bring only their direct heirs, keeping the guest list to a manageable size of around a thousand.
Yet here was Madeline, hailing from a third-tier family in Niarak, being granted a special exception-personally approved by Tessa Watson herself.
This was unprecedented.
It was an unparalleled honor.
If the other wealthy families, especially those worth hundreds of millions, found out, they would be green with envy.
Madeline was so overwhelmed with excitement that she nearly fainted. She never imagined Tessa Watson would agree and make such an exception for her.
Slatin truly was her lucky place!
This was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to waste. She would use the occasion to network and form connections with as many influential figures as possible.
The thought of how shocked and envious the people of Niarak would be when they heard about her invitation filled her with anticipation.
Even Cora Caldwell and the other heirs of prominent families began to change their opinions of Madeline. They accepted her, this woman from the countryside, as one of their own.
Some socialites even invited her to an evening gathering they were hosting.
Madeline felt as though she were dreaming.
In just a few days, she had fully integrated into Slatin’s upper echelon. It was incredible.
She was certain that while securing Titan Holdings’ cooperation had played a role, her intelligence and resourcefulness had been the key factors.
She had done the Clark family a tremendous favor, saving them from the humiliation of having to plead with Flynn. She had even gifted them a priceless medical text.
I, Madeline, am a benefactor to the Clark family.
I must seize this opportunity to leverage their influence and connections to climb even higher.
Once Tessa Watson’s birthday celebration is over, I’ll reach a new level.
While Cora Caldwell and the others congratulated her, Vicente Clark remained silent.
He didn’t care about Madeline’s achievements. No matter how much she was praised, it had nothing to do with him.
In a world where power reigned supreme, unless Madeline reached Layla’s level, she would never catch his eye.
Vicente Clark’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Flynn. The memory of apologizing to him and watching his mother being slapped replayed incessantly in his head.
His expression grew colder until finally-
“I’m going to kill that bastard Flynn!”
Boom!
A terrifying burst of energy erupted from Vicente Clark, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The killing intent was so intense it seemed to freeze the atmosphere.
The room fell silent, everyone staring in stunned fear.
Vicente ignored them and stormed toward Indigo Grove Estate. Flynn had humiliated him, and he would make him pay.
“Vicente! Stop!” Tessa Watson’s voice rang out sharply, her expression darkening.
“Mother, are you really going to let that scum go? He struck you! I can’t let this slide!”
“You’ll let it slide because I said so!” Tessa snapped. “Lyra just left. What if she comes back unexpectedly?”
“Besides, if you kill Flynn now, wouldn’t that be a slap in Lyra’s face? She just helped him!”
“This matter ends here. If there’s another opportunity in the future, we’ll deal with him then.” Her tone brooked no argument.
As much as she wanted Flynn dead-wanted to tear him apart-Lyra’s involvement complicated things. For now, they had to let it go.
Lyra had made it clear that Flynn’s future was his to determine.
This meant that if Flynn provoked them again, the Clark family could deal with him without incurring Lyra’s wrath.
Provoking Flynn wouldn’t be difficult.
“Fine! Let that dog live a little longer. But when the time comes, I’ll carve him up!” Vicente growled, swallowing his anger.
He had never cared about Flynn before, but now that he had been humiliated, he wouldn’t rest until he exacted his revenge.
“Enough! You’re a Greater Sovereign. Stop embarrassing yourself in front of our esteemed guests from Sleeve.”
Tessa Watson shot Vicente a disapproving glare before turning to Layla with a smile.
“Layla, wouldn’t it be wonderful to add to this joyous occasion?”
“What do you mean?” Layla asked, puzzled.
Tessa’s smile widened. “I spoke with Paxton about your broken engagement to Flynn. That brat could never match you, even in ten lifetimes. But Vicente? You and he are a perfect match.”
“I was planning to visit the Woods family three days ago, but my schedule got delayed. Let’s go now. I’ll speak with your grandfather about it!”
She reached for Layla’s hand.
“Mrs. Clark, I…” Layla hesitated, pulling back slightly. “I’m not ready to date anyone right now. I want to focus on advancing my cultivation.”
“Besides, my father is out of town. Let’s wait until he returns.”
Her words were merely an excuse. She had no interest in Vicente Clark.
After witnessing Lord Valerian Nox’s unmatched brilliance, no other man could compare in her eyes.
Both Tessa Watson and Vicente Clark were momentarily stunned.
Vicente quickly forced a smile. “Layla, if you want to improve your cultivation, shouldn’t we be together? The medical text will be deciphered in six months. We can use it together.”
Layla replied with a faint smile, “That text likely contains recipes for high-level body-tempering elixirs. I don’t need them for now. Besides, I already have Aetherium Dust.”
“Aetherium Dust?” Vicente’s eyes lit up.
No wonder Layla’s progress had been so rapid. She had access to such a precious resource. For someone as obsessed with cultivation as Vicente, the allure of Aetherium Dust was irresistible.
“Could you share some with me?” Vicente asked eagerly.
Layla frowned. “I don’t think Aetherium Dust works for Greater Sovereigns.”
“How would we know unless we try?” Vicente pressed, unwilling to let the opportunity slip. “Don’t worry, Layla. I won’t take it for free. Once the medical text is fully deciphered, I’ll give you one of the recipes for a divine body-tempering elixir.”
Layla remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, she was thrilled.
She had deliberately mentioned Aetherium Dust to bait Vicente. Now, not only could she obtain a divine elixir recipe, but she could also delay the Clark family’s plans for her.
Flynn, you may be a Semi Lesser Sovereign now, but that’s the only edge you have over me.
Just wait. Once I obtain the divine elixir, with my unmatched talent, I’ll become a Greater Sovereign within a year.
Then we’ll see if you still have the audacity to look down on me.