novelraw Chapter 328: A Group of Antiques Come Knocking for Power
Chapter 328: A Group of Antiques Come Knocking for Power
In the main hall of the Leclair Residence, the Leclair family elder sat dressed in a satin teal Tang suit, gripping a cane in both hands. His aged face was tense as he watched the group of old men arguing back and forth.
"Elder Leclair, such a major incident has occurred, surely you can’t just keep quiet and shoulder all this without taking a position."
The elder of the Yeager family, seated on a carved rosewood chair, spoke with a feigned smile, "Over the years, why has our Southern Alliance of family clans maintained such a lofty status? It’s not just due to the accumulated prestige of our ancestors, but because of our unity—a united front as strong as iron, impenetrable to outsiders. And now your grandson has shattered this unity without informing any of us, sealing off the sea without notice, stirring rage from all directions.
The Imperial City has already sent investigators down here. How do you intend to handle this matter?"
The elder let out a cold snort, remaining silent. A bunch of old coots, squabbling their entire lives, their petty schemes haven’t changed at all—still no creativity to speak of.
"As I’ve said, this whole mess was instigated by the Golden Triangle. Instead of uniting against the common threat, you lot come here squabbling like children. You’re all pushing a hundred years old, yet behaving no better than greenhorn kids—completely lacking decorum." The old man’s face tightened as he scolded the group mercilessly.
"We haven’t even seen anyone from the Golden Triangle. All we know is that the Leclair boy sealed off the sea for two hours, and now the Imperial City is sending people to investigate.
Back in the day, at the Hundred Elders’ Covenant, it was agreed that any major decision affecting the Southern Alliance would require the consensus of all family clans. Yet your Leclair family has completely disregarded us this time."
The group erupted into another heated argument, faces flushed and voices raised.
The elder had endured the commotion since morning, and the incessant racket made his head throb. He frowned and turned to look at the butler.
The butler, who had been standing just outside the main hall, observing the commotion outside, craned his neck so much it nearly stiffened. After observing for over two hours, his face suddenly brightened, and he hurried briskly into the hall. Leaning close to the elder, he whispered, "The eldest young master has returned."
Ignatius Leclair had escorted Delphine to her bedroom. Seeing that she was sound asleep, he didn’t wake her but merely instructed the servants to watch over her before heading to the main hall.
The man returned from outside, bringing with him the biting chill of midwinter and dense layers of fog. His strikingly handsome features were even colder than usual, his phoenix-shaped eyes gleaming with a deep and frosty light.
Ignatius Leclair entered the main hall, his tall, commanding figure blocking the entrance. He raised a hand and lit a cigarette, the corners of his thin lips curling into a faint, near-imperceptible smile as he spoke coolly, "Gentlemen—grandfathers, uncles—what brings you all to our house for a morning chat?"
The group of arguing fossils immediately fell silent, momentarily shaken by the oppressive aura radiating from this young man.
The elder of the Yeager family, ever adept at exploiting his seniority, immediately chuckled and said, "Ignatius, you’ve stirred up a monumental mess this time. You’ve mobilized military forces to seal off the sea, and the matter has now reached the Imperial City. How dare you come back?"
Ignatius’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
At that moment, Stone Leclair rushed into the main hall, his face dark as iron. Without waiting for context, he berated Ignatius harshly, "Reprobate! So, this is your doing?"
Ignatius glanced at the room full of scheming faces with a half-smile and remarked icily, "What’s the rush?"
Stone feared that the blockade would implicate the Leclair family and damage his political career. As for these people, they were merely here to kick a man when he was down and grab any benefits they could.
"Mr. Leclair, the merchant vessel has docked," Maximilian reported softly.
Ignatius nodded, his piercing phoenix eyes fixing directly on the Yeager family elder—who had been the most vocal instigator. The corners of his thin lips curved into a faint, mocking smile.
The Yeager elder, facing the unnervingly brilliant and cunning young man, suddenly felt a foreboding sense of unease creeping into his heart.