Chapter 364
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 p>
“I warned you clearly: bring Sophia back here immediately to beg my forgiveness p>
“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 p>
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 p>
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 p>
“Always hesitating p>
“Something like that,” Alex conceded softly.
“People change, Alex. I’ve got to be strong now. If I don’t, everyone will walk all over me p>
“I’m glad you changed,” Alex said softly, a faint smile breaking the tension.
A tender silence filled the car, unspoken words drifting gently between them all the way to the clinic.
Before stepping out, Alex lingered a moment, feeling the soft tension of things left unsaid.
They both knew there was something they needed to discuss, yet neither was brave enough to break the fragile quiet first.
“Alex,” Sophia started, eyes locked onto his, filled with raw longing. “Can’t we go back to how things were p>
“It’s not the right time,” Alex replied.
“People still see you as Gilbert Guise’s widow. Maybe once you have full control
of Paris and things settle down, we can talk about it again p>
“I don’t care about ruling Paris,” Sophia said fiercely. “All I care about is us p>
Alex forced a gentle smile, masking the ache in his heart.
“Don’t worry. True opportunities don’t vanish so 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 if she moved on so quickly after Gilbert’s death.
Alex loved Sophia deeply, but true love meant setting her free to chase her dreams.
He stepped from the car, watching her drive away with bittersweet resolve.
As Sophia headed back toward Paris, Florence’s name lit up her phone.
“Sophia,” Florence’s voice trembled urgently. “I begged Madam Henny not to hold a grudge against you p>
“Don’t bother, Mom. I don’t regret a thing p>
“Sophia, this is Montclair. Even if you despise her, keep those feelings to yourself
“Cut to the chase, Mom,” Sophia snapped. “Why are you calling p>
“I need you to return to Montclair and apologize to Madam Henny immediately p>
Without hesitation, Sophia ended the call, determined never to revisit that conversation again.
Florence stood frozen, phone still clutched in her hand, utterly stunned. “Jack, can you believe it? Your sister just hung up on me p>
Jack’s eyes narrowed instantly. “Sophia’s never done something like that. It’s got
to be because of Alex-that uneducated fool is clearly influencing her in all the wrong ways p>
Florence nodded sharply. “You’re right. All of this is Alex’s doing p>
Meanwhile, Sophia had flown back to Paris on her private jet.
As soon 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 focus.
She’d already ignored over twenty calls from her mother, but this one came from her grandmother, Betty.
“Yes, Grandma?” Sophia answered, sounding exhausted.
Betty’s voice was 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 for Governor of Paris.
Sophia hesitated, suspicion creeping in.
She knew Montclair was only supporting her to solidify their influence over her governorship.
“Thank you, Grandma,” she said cautiously, unsure if gratitude was even warranted.
“Sophia, Montclair is family. It’s
better for everyone if we stay united
without any conflicts. There’s
resistance about your appointment from Henny’s old faction, but we can
win them over easily if you just
make a small gesture of peace p>
Sophia sighed, dreading the request she knew was coming. “What exactly do you
need me to do p>
“Tomorrow, meet Grandma Henny and apologize for today’s incident Just a few simple words and it’s done. Trust me, it’s better to have her as a friend than an enemy. You’ll be an excellent governor, Sophia p>
Sophia rubbed her forehead, tense. “Grandma, I don’t think that’s a good idea p>
“Please, Sophia,” Betty begged gently. “Consider it my birthday wish. Just
apologize, then walk away. It’s all for family harmony p>
Sophia hesitated again. “Grandma p>
“Please, Sophia. Just this once p>
“Fine,” Sophia finally conceded. “I’ll say sorry, but that’s it. Whether she accepts it
or not is her choice p>
“That’s all we need,” Betty replied, relieved.
The next day, Sophia appeared at Alex’s clinic again. “Alex, you need to come
with me to Montclair. I’m going to apologize, and I want you there with me p>
“Do I really have to?” Alex asked, confused. He couldn’t understand why Sophia had flown all this way just to bring him along.
“Yes,” Sophia insisted, unwilling to admit she just wanted him close by. Two hours later, they arrived at the Montclair mansion. Alex stopped at the gate.
“I’m not going inside. After yesterday, I doubt Henny wants to see my face again p>
“That’s fine,” Sophia reassured him with a confident nod. “Just wait here. I’ll be right back p>
Sophia marched into the mansion alone. The butler, already expecting her, quickly led her straight to Henny’s chambers.
“Madam, Sophia requests an audience,” an elderly servant announced
respectfully.
Henny calmly placed her teacup down. “Let her in p>
“Yes, Madam,” the servant nodded, leading Sophia into the lavishly decorated
room.
As soon as Sophia stepped inside, two guards swiftly shut the doors behind her, blocking any escape.
“I came to apologize,” Sophia said clearly, keeping her voice steady. “I’m sorry for what happened yesterday p>
“Apologize?” Henny sneered coldly. “This is how you choose to do it p>
She waved her hand sharply.
“Guards, make her kneel and slap her ten times. It’s time this girl learned some respect for her elders p>
But before she could react further, a guard kicked her legs out from under her.
Sophia collapsed painfully to the floor, and as she tried to rise, the guards held
her firmly, delivering the first brutal slap across her face.
“One p>