Qin Huaibei was deeply impressed by Chloe's ability to change her demeanor.
The current Chloe looked completely different from her usual self. Not only were the knights intimidated to the point of losing their souls, even they felt a bit afraid.
With this appearance, Qin Huaibei unconsciously moved further away from Chloe, lest he be caught in the crossfire.
The knights had originally intended to say something to Anderson, but with Chloe constantly finding fault, they had no choice but to temporarily put aside their thoughts and earnestly soothe Chloe's emotions.
They could deal with Anderson later, but if the Little Miss wasn't well attended to today, the Ancestor Lord would place blame, and even the old family master couldn't protect them.
With this in mind, the knights' attitudes became even more diligent.
"Little Miss, watch your step."
Chloe scoffed and asked, "Where are we going?"
The knight replied, "The old family master's room."
Upon hearing this, Chloe stopped in her tracks.
She glanced at the knight, that glance so light and airy that the knight's heart skipped a beat, wondering repeatedly what he had done wrong.
He nervously bowed slightly, "Little Miss, is there something amiss?"
Chloe found a sofa nearby to sit on, crossing her legs, and said nonchalantly:
"Francis holds such great authority, yet the Little Miss must go to him in person?"
As the words fell, Chloe's voice held a hint of hostility, as she berated:
"Have him roll down here himself!"
The knight was startled, nodding repeatedly and promising to bring the family master down, before quickly ascending the stairs.
As the knight left, Chloe gazed at his retreating back, and once he had completely disappeared, she uncrossed her legs and adopted a proper, demure posture befitting a well-mannered young lady.
Those who witnessed this: "......"
Daniel took a deep breath, "You gave me a fright, I thought you were really going to explode."
Chloe laughed, "I'm not that unreasonable of a person."
"It's just that these servants in noble households are used to looking down on people. If I don't act tough, they'll think I'm easy to bully and won't take me seriously."
Chloe had seen such things many times since childhood.
If she spoke gently and kindly, those below would think they could casually brush her off and not take her seriously.
Of course, this only happened at others' mansions.
In her own estate, no one dared behave in such a manner.
After explaining, everyone immediately relaxed.
Qin Huaibei began examining the decor of Francis' estate, then remarked in admiration:
"I didn't expect your family to be so luxurious as well."
Anderson said indifferently, "This isn't my family's home."
Upon hearing this, Qin Huaibei reacted and nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, it's not your family's home."
Chloe: "After seeing my estate, you still think Francis' home is luxurious. Your aesthetic standards have seriously declined, Qin Huaibei."
Hearing this, Qin Huaibei was amused, "Come on, you're exaggerating."
Amid their idle chatter, a commotion could be heard in the distance.
It sounded like leather shoes stepping on a wooden staircase, interspersed with the sound of wheels rolling.
Chloe immediately crossed her legs, straightened her back, and adopted a regal, aloof demeanor that dared anyone to approach her.
She raised her head just in time to see two figures standing on the stairs ahead.
No, to be precise, one person was standing, and the other was seated.
The one standing was someone Chloe recognized, the bald Francis, the Grand Duke, while the one seated in a wheelchair was undoubtedly Edmund.
The two stood on the stairs, backlit, their faces indistinct, their postures upright and dignified, in stark contrast to Chloe's seated and reclining posture.
She immediately felt a sense of offense and displeasure, and immediately retorted rudely:
"What are you two putting on a show for up there? Get down here quickly!"
The two figures on the stairs paused for a moment, but eventually descended slowly.
A few years had passed, and Chloe tilted her head to look at them for a while, feeling her neck ache. She then said:
"Either sit down or kneel down."
Francis, the Grand Duke: "......"
His face was flushed red with humiliation, yet he dared not say much more due to Chloe's status, and could only sit on the opposite soft sofa.
Edmund was pushed by him to sit beside him.
A fine picture of a filial father and son.
Chloe turned her head to look at Anderson, and seeing no sign of discomposure on his face, she finally felt reassured and looked away.
She stared at Francis for a long while, then finally spoke slowly:
"Uncle Francis, it's been years, and your hair has become increasingly sparse."
Francis, the Grand Duke: "......" The Little Miss is too kind.
He should have worn a wig or a hat when coming out.
He cleared his throat twice, not daring to pursue Chloe's wrongdoing, and said directly:
"I didn't expect the Little Miss would come with my son. I thought..."
"Hold on." Chloe interrupted him, her dark red eyes filled with mockery as she leisurely asked, "Say that again, what did you just say?"
The pressure of her royal bloodline pressed down inch by inch, and although still a young one, the oppressive feeling she exuded was no less than the Ancestor Lord's.
Francis, the Grand Duke, broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, keenly sensing his error, and immediately corrected himself:
"I didn't expect the Little Miss would come with Anderson."
Chloe nodded in satisfaction, "That's better."
She picked up the teacup from the table and took a small sip:
"Back when I took Anderson away, you didn't come looking for him, which was essentially giving me custody, right? Anderson is my man, you're his father, so what does that make me?"
Francis' face, hollowed out by debauchery and wine, showed a look of displeasure, but he still had to swallow his pride and admit:
"The Little Miss is correct, I was out of line earlier."
Seeing his expression, Qin Huaibei couldn't help but laugh.
This laughter sounded particularly clear in the silent hall.
Francis' complexion immediately worsened.
He took a sip of tea, then changed the subject again: "I called Anderson here this time mainly to discuss the issue of the family estate in the future."
At these words, Edmund beside him also slightly raised his head.
Upon hearing this, Chloe showed interest, beckoning Anderson over:
"He says he wants to discuss dividing the family estate with you, what do you think?"
Anderson lowered his gaze humbly, "I will follow the Little Miss' wishes entirely."
Hearing this, Chloe smiled and looked at Francis, saying happily:
"Since he has said so, why don't you give me that family fortune instead?"
Francis stared wide-eyed: "No way!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his tone was too harsh. He immediately felt a little flustered, but after managing to regain his composure, he said:
"Little Miss, don't joke about this. How can the allocation of the family fortune be treated so lightly?"
"Then what do you think would be a proper way of handling it?"
Chloe propped her chin as she looked at him:
"So what were your original intentions?"
"As for the Francis family fortune, would it all belong to Anderson, or would it be split evenly with this... Mr. Edmund?"
Chloe toyed with the ceramic cup in her hand, her voice nonchalant:
"Or perhaps, Anderson would manage the assets, but the ownership would lie with Edmund?"
