Amused by Dahlia’s antics, Dustin chuckled and nodded furiously in a joking manner. “Ah, yes! All hail, Ms. Nicholson! The ever–capable and talented Ms. Nicholson is bound to be the leader of a prominent household one day!” Then, he even went so far as to pump his fist in the air dramatically to entertain her.
“Hey! Quit fooling around! I’m being serious here! As long as I become the matriarch of the Nicholson family, I’ll be even more influential than Natasha Harmon! And when the time comes, I’ll take good care of you!” Dahlia raised her chin and declared confidently.
Anyone could tell that she was full of hope and determination. In the past, Dahlia had always felt inferior compared to Natasha due to their differences in background and social status. But now that she was a potential successor to the Nicholson family, she was on par with her, and they would have to vie for Dustin according to their abilities.
Right then, Dahlia’s phone rang. She answered the call and quickly heard Florence’s voice.” Honey, where are you? Come back immediately. Madam Gloria from the Nicholson family in Glenstead is here to see you.”
”
“Madam Gloria? Why is she here?” Dahlia tried to gather more information to grasp the situation over at Florence’s.
Regulus Nicholson, the patriarch of the family, had been a remarkably outstanding man in his youth, and he had married three wives. His first wife was over 70 years old, and both his second and third wives were more than 60 years old. Gloria Gustav was his third wife.
“Haven’t you been selected as a potential successor of the family? I’m sure Madam Gloria is here to cozy up to you. You’re in luck!” Florence exclaimed excitedly.
“Okay. I’ll head home right away.” Dahlia ended the call, and without saying anything else, she led Dustin out the door with her.
“What? I’m going too?” Dustin was caught off guard.
“You’re part of the family too, aren’t you? So why not?” Dahlia retorted.
“But…”
“Alright, cut the chit–chat! This is your chance to gain favor from an influential person!” And with that, Dahlia dragged Dustin along with her and got into the car. One had to be assertive and dominant with men occasionally. At least that’s what she read.
Half an hour later, they pulled up at the entrance to the Nicholson villa. When they got out of the car and went in, they found that there was already quite a crowd in the living room. An old lady with thick make–up who was heavily adorned with all sorts of jewelry sat at the center of the crowd. She even had a serpent–head cane clutched in one of her hands.
Dakota and Jane sat to either side of her, regarding her with such reverence and respect, while Florence and James only stood by the side, appearing exceptionally meek. They looked like household staff who were waiting on her when they were, in fact, the rightful owners of the place. “Honey, you’re finally home!” Florence quickly went up to Dahlia when she saw her. However, just
as she was about to continue, she caught sight of Dustin following in behind Dahlia. Her expression immediately darkened as she hissed, “Who asked for you to be here, Rhys! I haven’t made you pay for the fake gemstone your father gave me yesterday! How dare you show your face here today?”
“Fake gemstone?” Dustin raised a brow at that. “Are you mistaken? Rufus might be a degenerate, but he’d never stoop so low as to fool others with fake goods.”
“Hah! How dare you make excuses! I sent Julie to have the gemstone appraised, and they confirmed that it was a synthetic gemstone! I’m warning you, you better pay for my loss! I won’t back off without at least 5 million dollars!” Florence demanded meanly.
“Mom, there might be some misunderstanding going on.” Dahlia tried to smooth things over between them.
“Hah! What misunderstanding could there be? We have already proven that it’s a fake gemstone! His entire family is full of swindlers!” Florence spat angrily.
“Hey! What are you bunch bickering about? Don’t you see that my grandma is here? Get over here and pay your respects!” Dakota barked impatiently from the couch. How dare they whisper and chat among themselves when her grandmother was right there in the center of the living room? Didn’t they know that they should greet her and pay their respects to her first? How rude!
“Hmph! I’m not done with you yet!” Florence glared at Dustin angrily. But when she turned towards Gloria, there was a bright smile on her face once again. Dustin shook his head at her subservient attitude.
“Dahlia, this is Madam Gloria. She’s an important person in the Nicholson family!” Florence gestured towards the heavily made–up old lady fawningly.
“It is an honor to meet you, Madam Gloria.” Dahlia nodded at Gloria respectively. From the looks of it, Gloria did not look like someone who was nice to be around.
“Tea.” Gloria sat in the middle of the living room with her hands on her cane, looking
condescending and arrogant.
“Quick! Serve Madam Gloria some tea!” Florence immediately signaled Dahlia.
Dahlia nodded, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Gloria respectfully.
“Is this how you serve tea? Have you no manners?” Gloria asked darkly.
“What?” Dahlia did not understand what she meant by that.
“Grandma, this is just how uncultured people behave. They do not know how to conduct themselves befitting of elite families like ours.” Dakota smirked.
“Dahlia Nicholson, don’t you know that in the Nicholson family, it’s customary for one to stand behind their elders and serve them tea with both hands from behind? That’s how you show your respect and sincerity.”
“Standing behind them and serving tea from behind?” Dahlia frowned. Does anyone still do that these days? She wasn’t a maid–in–waiting, for goodness‘ sake!
“What? You’re not willing to do so? It looks like you’re being disrespectful to my grandma!” Dakota remarked snidely.
“No, no! That’s definitely not the case!” Florence waved her hands quickly.
“Dahlia’s just not used to these customs. Please do not get angry, Madam Gloria. I’ll serve you tea.” Flustered, Florence took the tea from Dahlia and went around to stand behind Gloria, serving her tea respectfully with both hands.
“Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re even fit to serve me tea?” Gloria looked at Florence with such contempt, clearly having no intention to take the cup of tea from her.
“Well…” Florence’s smile stiffened as she stood there awkwardly. In the end, she had no choice but to turn to Dahlia. “Honey, quick, serve Madam Gloria her tea. It makes perfect sense for you to serve your elders tea.”
Dahlia’s brows knitted together tightly as she looked at Florence pleadingly. Finally, she gave in. She took a cup of tea and stood behind Gloria, and then served it to her with both hands in the most respectful manner.
“Hmph! We should have done this right from the start to save us all the hassle!” Dakota gloated with a smirk on her face.
“Don’t you always behave like you’re all that? Where’s the proud act you always got? But after all that, you still have to humble yourself and serve my grandma tea!” Dakota thought to herself gleefully.
As Dahlia stood behind Gloria and served her the tea, Gloria did not take it immediately. Instead, she let Dahlia stand there for some time before she slowly reached out to take the cup of tea. She took a small sip, turned around, and spat it all on Dahlia’s face.
“Hey! Are you trying to scald me with such hot tea?” Gloria slammed her hand furiously on the table and shot to her feet, accusing Dahlia nastily.
