When the worship ceremony was over, many members of the family, who didnât want to be involved in the trouble, left one by one.
Those who stayed here were people who wanted to watch the show.
As most of the James had left, Clarence and Stella, the two strangers to the family, became conspicuous.
If Dolores didnât show up, probably none of them would think of the possibility.
But the reality was that Dolores was present, and there was a man who looked similar to Darnell and at the same time around his age.
Therefore, they began to guess it and discussed it in whispers.
Hilbert also heard their voices. With the help of his presbyopia glasses, he took a glance at Clarence, but people didnât know whether he had seen Clarence clearly or not.
Holding his crutch, he coughed several times and then said, âThe worship ceremony has come to an end. Except for me, several doyens, Franklin, Darnell and his mother, other people shall come to the front hall.â
Hearing Hilbertâs words, those people didnât dare to watch the show and left one by one as Hilbert was quite prestigious in the family.
Seeing this scene, Elaine also prepared to leave secretly.
But Hilbert stopped her, âElaine, stay here.â
Elaine, who just lifted one of her feet, put it down and obediently walked to her father.
When all of those irrelevant people had left, Hilbert picked up the cup of tea on the near table, blew the tea leaf floating on the tea and said slowly, âWeâre not in a hurry. Letâs solve it one by one.â
He then looked towards Elaine, âLetâs start from you.â
Elaine tried to muddle through it by playing cute, âGrand-grandpa...â
Hilbert took a sip of the tea and appeared to be not moved. He looked up again, âDonât stand there. Please come in.â
Clarence slightly pressed his thin lips together and took Stella into the ancestral hall.
Seeing this scene, Archer looked around awkwardly.
He didnât know whether he should follow them into the hall, or leave.
Archer scratched his head and thought to himself: Never mind. I will go in too. There have been many people after all.
Elaine immediately thought of a countermeasure whens seeing Clarence walking into the hall. She reached out to hug his arm, but Clarence dodged her touch effortlessly.
Elaine was somehow scared when spotting the coldness in his eyes.
However, she had no choice because she didnât want to marry Darnell.
Franklin let out a heavy cough, reminding Elaine to behave herself and not to go too far.
Elaine withdrew her hands, not feeling embarrassed at all, and then said in a righteous voice, âGrand-grandpa, Iâve been fascinated by the other man and I donât want to marry uncle Darnell.â
Franklin knitted his brows. He was the first to condemn Elaine, âWhat nonsense are you talking about? How can he be your uncle? Mind your words.â
Elaine retorted, âAm I wrong? You asked me to call him uncle when I was young. And he will always be my uncle.â
Hilbert said in a deep voice, âHilbert, I and Darnellâs grandfather are cousins and you two are distant relatives at most. We asked you to call him uncle to close your relationship. Itâs just an address and it doesnât matter.â
When Elaine prepared to retort, the other doyens who sat beside Hilbert began to cough.
Franklin also warned her with his gaze, gesturing not to refute anymore.
Right at this moment, Darnellâs bland voice sounded. âI donât agree wither.â
Darnellâs mother wanted to say something, but she simply moved her lips and didnât say anything in the end.
Darnell continued, âI donât plan to marry any woman and form a family for now. Elaine is still young and weâre not suitable.â
One of the doyens said, âYou can engage with her first, and we will arrange for other matters when Elaine grew older.â
Elaine couldnât help but retort when she heard the words, âI told you that Iâve been captivated by the other man. Dear doyens, do you know what era we are in now? Weâre in a new era! And arranged marriage has been a past! I wonât accept this! I want to pursue my happiness. Youâre so bigoted.
I...â
Slap!
Before Elaine could finish the words, she felt the burning pain in her cheek.
Elaine stiffened and looked at her father.
Franklin said in a stern voice, âKneel.â
Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked with sobs. Elaine wanted to justify herself, but she thought she would cry if she opened her mouth.
Therefore, she bit her lower lip tightly and knelt behind Dolores, making a loud sound.
Seeing this scene, Archer subconsciously took a step backwards, feeling his knees aching even though it wasnât he to kneel.
Darnell furrowed his brows and looked towards Elaine, but he didnât say anything.
Franklin withdrew his hand and took a deep breath, âElaine is still young. I will educate her more after coming back.â
When hearing his words, the gloominess on those doyensâ faces was alleviated.
As Elaine was his grand-granddaughter, Hilbert didnât want to see her continue to be embarrassed and decided to put aside this matter temporarily and move to the next matter.
He said, âThe second thing, I heard some rumours recently that some members of the James family went to City N and some other negative rumours.
Darnell, have you heard of them?â
Darnell replied blandly, âTheyâre rumours and I will deal with them.â
âIf someone left Riverside and went to City N, it should be a big deal.â
They could easily perceive that Hilbert was still dissatisfied with Doloresâ return to the James family and he was taking this opportunity to express his discontent and to pave the way for the next matter.
Darnell replied, âI also learned about this matter before and it was me who asked Archer to go to City N.â
Archer was astonished.
Hilbert and the other doyens simultaneously raised their eyes and looked towards Archer who thought these matters had nothing to do with him before and watched the show casually.
Mr. Conrad Proposes to His Ex-wife Again ï¤Chapter 615: Thereâre Many Matters for This Year Archer immediately became nervous. Recalling the slap on Elaineâs face just now, he suddenly felt his right cheek hurting although he was not slapped. Archer knelt down without hesitation, âI...â
Darnell said, âThere were some accidents in City N and someone is targeting at the James family. If I just wait for their attack, we will lose the initiative and can just wait for their frame.â
Hilbert just held his crutch and remained silent.
He sat in the chair with his eyes closed. And Stella couldnât distinguish whether he was sleeping or meditating.
She turned her head to look at the man who seemed to be pondering something and slightly pressed her lips together.
Right at this moment, a doyen broke the silence, âEven though what you said is true, you should have negotiated with us and decided on it together.
You canât make such a decision yourself. No matter what, we canât forget the rules stipulated by our ancestors.â
Darnell said without any expressional change, âMy grandpa told me when I became the patriarch of the James family that I have the right to decide on everything.â
That doyen became so angry, âYou...â
Darnell continued, âIf you think I didnât handle this matter appropriately, I can give the position to the other person at any time.â
They immediately became silent when they heard the words.
Although these doyens all had their plans, none of them could take the position justifiably even if Darnell gave way to one of them.
âEnough.â
Hilbert broke the silence, âWhat Darnell said makes sense. Heâs the patriarch of the James family and he can decide on any matters himself. He doesnât have to inform any other people. All right, this matter is over. But no matter what, since youâve gone to City N, we canât let go of you easily.
Just kneel there.â
Archer was shocked again.
An Eight-year-old Princess ï¤Chapter 1410 Go And Return Quickly Critic ï¤Chapter 105: Missing Drake Critic