An Understated Dominance - Chapter 368

Dustin laughed at Dahlia’s playful attitude and said, “Oh yes! All hail Ms. Nicholson! The talented Ms. Nicholson is sure to lead a great household one day!” He even raised his fist in the air for fun.

“Hey! Stop joking around! I’m serious! Once I become the matriarch of the Nicholson family, I’ll be even more powerful than Natasha Harmon! And when that time comes, I’ll take care of you!” Dahlia said confidently, lifting her chin.

It was clear she was filled with hope and determination. In the past, she had always felt less than Natasha because of their different backgrounds and social status. But now, as a possible successor to the Nicholson family, she felt equal to Natasha, and they would compete for Dustin’s attention based on their skills.

Just then, Dahlia’s phone rang. She answered it and heard Florence’s voice. “Honey, where are you? Come back right now. Madam Gloria from the Nicholson family in Glenstead is here to see you.”

“Madam Gloria? Why is she here?” Dahlia asked, trying to understand what was happening at home.

Regulus Nicholson, the family head, had been an impressive man in his younger days. He married three wives: his first wife was over 70, and both his second and third wives were more than 60. Gloria Gustav was his third wife.

“Didn’t you get chosen as a potential successor? I bet Madam Gloria is here to get close to you. You’re lucky!” Florence said excitedly.

“Okay. I’ll come home right away,” Dahlia replied and hung up the phone.

Without saying a word, Dahlia took Dustin by the hand and led him outside.

“What? I’m going too?” Dustin was surprised.

“You’re part of the family, right? So why not?” Dahlia replied.

“But…”

“Enough talking! This is your chance to impress someone important!” With that, Dahlia pulled Dustin along and they got into the car. She believed that sometimes women had to be strong and assertive.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Nicholson villa. As they stepped out of the car and walked in, they found a large crowd gathered in the living room. In the center sat an elderly woman, heavily made up and adorned with jewelry, holding a cane shaped like a serpent.

Dakota and Jane sat on either side of her, looking at her with great respect, while Florence and James stood nearby, appearing quite submissive. Although they were the rightful owners of the house, they looked like staff waiting on her.

“Honey, you’re finally home!” Florence rushed over to Dahlia when she saw her. But as soon as she noticed Dustin following Dahlia, her face darkened. “What are you doing here, Rhys? I haven’t forgotten about the fake gemstone your father gave me yesterday! How dare you show your face?”

“Fake gemstone?” Dustin raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Rufus may have his faults, but he would never try to trick anyone with fake items.”

“Hah! How dare you defend him! I sent Julie to get that gemstone appraised, and they said it was synthetic! You better pay me back for my loss. I won’t back down without at least 5 million!”

“Dollars!” Florence shouted angrily.

“Mom, I think there’s a misunderstanding,” Dahlia tried to ease the tension.

“Ha! What misunderstanding? We’ve already shown that it’s a fake gemstone! His whole family is full of con artists!” Florence snapped.

“Hey! What are you all arguing about? My grandma is right here! Come over and show her some respect!” Dakota shouted from the couch. She was upset that they were whispering and ignoring her grandmother, who deserved their attention.

“I’m not finished with you yet!” Florence glared at Dustin. But when she looked at Gloria, a bright smile returned to her face. Dustin shook his head at her sudden change in attitude.

“Dahlia, this is Madam Gloria. She’s an important person in the Nicholson family!” Florence said, pointing to the heavily made-up elderly woman sitting proudly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Madam Gloria,” Dahlia said, nodding respectfully. However, Gloria didn’t seem like a pleasant person.

“Tea,” Gloria said, sitting in the middle of the living room with her hands resting on her cane, looking down on everyone.

“Quick! Serve Madam Gloria some tea!” Florence ordered Dahlia.

Dahlia nodded and poured a cup of tea, handing it to Gloria with respect.

“Is this how you serve tea? Don’t you have any manners?” Gloria asked sharply.

“What?” Dahlia was confused by the comment.

“Grandma, this is just how uncultured people act. They don’t know how to behave like our elite family does,” Dakota said with a smirk.

“Dahlia Nicholson, don’t you know that in the Nicholson family, you’re supposed to stand behind…”

“Do you see how you should serve tea to your elders? You stand behind them and offer it with both hands. That shows respect and sincerity,” Dakota said.

Dahlia frowned. “Serve tea from behind? Does anyone still do that?” She felt more like a maid than a guest.

Dakota raised an eyebrow. “What? You don’t want to do it? It looks like you’re being rude to my grandma!”

“No, no! That’s not true!” Florence quickly interjected, waving her hands.

“Dahlia just isn’t familiar with these customs. Please don’t be upset, Madam Gloria. I’ll get you the tea.” Flustered, Florence took the tea from Dahlia and moved behind Gloria to serve her, holding the cup with both hands.

Gloria looked at Florence with disdain. “Who do you think you are? Do you really think you can serve me tea?” She clearly had no intention of accepting it.

Florence’s smile faded as she stood there awkwardly. She turned to Dahlia for help. “Honey, please serve Madam Gloria her tea. It’s only right for you to do this for your elders.”

Dahlia felt uncomfortable but eventually relented. She took a cup of tea and stood behind Gloria, serving it with both hands in the most respectful way she could muster.

Dakota smirked, “We should have done this from the beginning to avoid all this trouble!”

Dahlia could feel Dakota’s smugness as she thought, “You always act so proud, but here you are, having to humble yourself and serve my grandma tea!”

As Dahlia stood behind Gloria, waiting for her to take the tea, Gloria didn’t reach for it right away. She made Dahlia wait a moment before finally extending her hand to take the cup. With a slow, deliberate sip, she finally tasted the tea.

Gloria turned around and spat tea all over Dahlia’s face.

“Hey! Are you trying to scald me with that hot tea?” Gloria yelled, slamming her hand on the table as she jumped to her feet. She glared at Dahlia, clearly upset.