I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!-Chapter 1197: Who better fits the title

"Tell her that the deaths of countless people who served the Oxley Family with all their hearts are her fault. Because she’s insecure and one dumb fool, whose greed’s insatiable, and now her people are about to be massacred for... nothing."

Silence hung in the air to the point they could hear Hera’s remarks echo. Nigel, whom she was ’talking’ to, took a step back and straightened his back.

"The madam is neither foolish nor insecure. I believe she has the best interest of this family at heart. Thus, her decision, no matter how risky, is for the greater good," he remarked, defending Florence in public even when everybody knew he had been trying to stop Florence from her decision to come after the Reapers. "It is not a massacre for nothing."

"What a good dog." Hera rocked her head approvingly. "But you’re not fooling anyone here, Nigel. Defending her simply proved my point. Florence Oxley is driving this family to the ground."

Nigel intuitively gazed down while everyone around, even the servants looked at each other. Many of them grew up in the secret society and served the Oxley Family. Therefore, they could tell the difference between what this family was like before and what it was now.

At this point, it looked like Hera was simply scolding Florence for doing a terrible job. This was what Florence felt and it wouldn’t be a surprise if everyone felt the same. Her jaw tightened at the thought, glaring at Hera sharply.

"How dare you come to my house and tell me what to do with it?" she hissed, repressing her rising anger. Hera was simply pressing her nerves. She shouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

"Your house... no, Florence. It’s my mother’s." Hera shook her head. "She might not like it or want it, but it is hers."

"There’s nothing Felice owns in here."

"I now see why Nigel is such a terrible liar. Florence Oxley, you don’t even believe your own denial, do you?"

"Hera Cruel!" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Florence Oxley, this is why you will fall." Hera’s tone raised voice, but it remained stern and commanding. "You think with all these resources and wealth, you always win every battle. The thing is, you don’t win all of them. Therefore, you only choose the ones you will."

"And that is why I chose this."

"No." Hera shook her head. "You chose this battle without knowing if you’ll win or not. You chose this to prove to every one of them you are more fit to lead this damn family and not some outsider whose only connection is her blood to this family."

She paused and drew a deep breath, lifting her chin high. "That’s the difference between us, Florence. You got to that position by coveting it, thinking if you lead this family, you’re complete. It’ll make you whole. That’s not it. By being the head, the leader, the one who holds hundreds or perhaps thousands of lives, you have to prepare yourself to nip yourself just to complete them."

"You are selfish, foolish, and greedy," she continued through gritted teeth. "Just to prove a point, you are willing to drive your people to their deaths. Instead of taking control and showing the other families you are not to be messed with, you went ahead and targeted me. Subsequently, entering my radar and letting me find out this family’s existence."

"I’ll say this just in case, Florence." Hera’s tone calmed down, but it was still unwavering. "You don’t play with your people’s lives. At least, you don’t risk their lives for nothing because they are your people — they are a part of who you are, your existence, and the very reason you are breathing."

Nigel clenched his teeth as he gazed down. Strange as it may sound, he never thought someone could ever come in here and lecture Florence. He didn’t want to say it, but the late master was right for appointing Hera as next to Felice. That child back then truly had overwhelming potential and everyone could see just how overwhelming it was in the present.

He quietly glanced at everyone, only to see their silent agreement with Hera. Some even bore amazement as if they finally found the Oxley they wanted to follow. Nigel couldn’t blame them. Florence might have control of the family right now, but the Oxley family had its ironclad rules.

The master of the house might appoint anyone as his heir. However, this could be challenged. Whoever the people favored would become a leader. It was one of the many reasons Florence wanted Hera dead. If Hera was dead, no one could challenge Florence or no one would lure Hera to do so.

"Hah..." Florence couldn’t help but let out a shallow laugh once silence followed Hera’s remarks. "... are you done now, Hera?"

Hera smiled. "I want to scold you more, but I promised someone to be respectful of my elders."

And she was only being reminded of that after saying all those things?

"Very well." Florence laughed quietly once more, breathing through her lips to calm herself down. "I did tell you I would listen to you before you reunite with your family. Now that you finally got everything off of your chest, my job’s here done."

She slowly pushed herself up from the chair, looking down at Hera. "Hera Cruel, I appreciate your concern. Although I said I wouldn’t grant your wishes, perhaps I would. I’ll keep everything you said in mind."

"Men, once you’re done with her, dump her body outside for her people to pick up... if her people would even have the means to retrieve her remains."

With that being said, Florence turned her back on Hera, not interested in seeing how she would die. So long as Hera’s dead, that was good enough for her. But alas, just as Florence took five steps away, Hera slowly rose from her seat.

"I called you a fool not to anger you, Florence," said Hera without any trace of worry, watching Florence look back at her. "I called you a fool because not only did you let me in your house, but you also let me talk with all the important individuals present to sell myself."

Deep lines appeared between Florence’s brows while Hera smirked. The latter snapped her eyes around before setting them back to Florence.

"Kill me... and all my men, including the other families, will disintegrate the entire Oxley Family to smithereens. However, take my side and I will reassure you the Oxley Family will secure the number one spot," Hera announced with great confidence. "I think our brief exchange here is enough for you to see who better fits the title. Now, take your pick."