Henry let out a dismissive snort and said with disdain, “Do you all really think my ambitions stop at replacing Jerome? No, you’re dead wrong. I never cared about that Union Leader position. What I want is to defeat Jerome and eliminate the demons from my past!”

Back in the day, Henry, brash and overconfident, once challenged Jerome. As expected, he lost. Even now, with his martial strength nearing perfection and his power unmatched, Jerome remained the thorn in his side.

The others exchanged knowing glances, finally understanding what was really driving Henry.

Scarlett’s eyes lit up with bold ambition, and she could not help asking, “Mr. Fischer, since you have no interest in the Union Leader seat… May I recommend myself for the position?”

Henry smirked. “Ms. Driscoll, did you forget you’re a woman? I know you’ve always had a big appetite, Scarlett. You treat Mr. Driscoll Senior like he’s already in your pocket. And you’ve always seen yourself as the queen bee over someone like Joe, a golden boy in his own right.

“Ambition’s fine for a woman, but you need the strength to back it up. Forgive my bluntness, Ms. Driscoll, but you’re simply not qualified to be Union Leader.”

His words were razor-sharp and brutally direct.

Scarlett’s face stiffened with frustration. “Maybe I’m not on your level yet, Mr. Fischer. But I’ve got the whole Driscoll family behind me. My martial strength is still growing, and I could one day break through to become a martial saint. Taking the top seat isn’t impossible!”

Henry shook his head again. “Forget it. That role’s out of your reach. Trust me… you’re not built to handle that position.”

Scarlett’s pride snapped. “Why not? Can I at least know the reason?”

Henry sneered but did not respond. Before she could press further, the old woman from earlier suddenly struck out with her palm, aiming directly at Scarlett.

Scarlett jumped and shouted, “Madam Valencia, what the hell are you doing?”

Scarlett remained unharmed, but the couch beneath her shattered into pieces with a loud crack.

She stared in disbelief. “A force projection? You broke the furniture from a distance with a single palm! Madam Valencia, you’ve really reached martial saint level?”

Grace Valencia remained expressionless with a trace of disdain at the corner of her mouth. “I’ve spent 60 years cultivating my strength, and even I wouldn’t dare dream of that position. And you? You’re just a brat from the Driscoll family. What makes you think you deserve it?”

She hissed, “Step aside before everyone here starts thinking you’re a clueless airhead, unfit to even join the conversation.”

Scarlett’s face flushed with humiliation. Though fury simmered in her chest, she lowered her head and muttered, “Understood. I won’t let my imagination run wild again.”

The regal old gentleman with the cane let out a chuckle. “Now that’s more like it. Knowing your place is a virtue. Alright then. We move tonight. Let’s all make sure we act as one. Jerome has sat in that chair long enough. Time someone else got a taste of how comfortable the Alliance throne can be.”

One by one, the others exited.

Soon, only Henry and Scarlett were left in the grand hall.

Scarlett, still bitter, asked, “Mr. Fischer, why didn’t you support me back there? We’re both from Gabo Creek province, both part of the Three Titans. Those Southern Martial Union mutts and the dozen brain-dead heads from Goldridge don’t deserve a cut of the reward!”

Henry snorted. “It’s exactly because we’re from the same place that I warned you that the seat is off-limits to you. You know how many eyes are locked onto it right now? Two top-tier families in Goldridge have already shown interest in taking that seat.”

Scarlett felt a chill run down her spine. “Even elite families are getting involved?”

Henry nodded. “That’s right. Families strong enough to suppress us, the Three Titans, are now making their moves. That gentleman with the cane? He’s the steward of the McCormick family. And in terms of raw strength, he’s nearly my equal.”

Scarlett was stunned into silence.

Equal to Henry? That was the same as saying he could flatten her without breaking a sweat.

This game was getting bigger and more dangerous by the second.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Henry suddenly asked, “What’s your opinion on Andrew Lloyd?”