[ POV: Amelia Scarlett ]


    He seemed to be in deep thought too: ''My grandmother, huh? She only looks a little older than mom and aunt; she looks so beautiful, and... I just got horny thinking about her.''


    I observed Sam rolling his eyes and placing a cushion on his lap; it looked incredibly comfortable.


    Without warning, the matriarch stated, "This is your home, Helena and Lorraine. And he is not just your son; he is my grandson, the heir to my clan." She summoned a white jade pendant adorned with a golden dragon insignia from her storage ring.


    Helena and Lorraine''s eyes widened as they contemplated the significance of this gesture. ''Is she going to recognize Sam as the true heir?''


    It seemed evident that the matriarch was about to recognize Sam as the clan''s heir.


    The patriarch, who had been watching the scene unfold, had an increasingly bewildered expression. "Adriana, what the hell are you doing? Stop it right now."


    Harper, the younger brother, also appeared taken aback by the unfolding events. ''No...no this can''t be happening''


    The matriarch, in response to her husband''s protests, lost her temper. "Or what? You think you can stop me? On what basis? You have no rights here, Alexander."


    This infuriated the patriarch. "I am the patriarch of the Hailstorm clan, and I have every right to decide. I will not allow you to choose an heir without my consent."


    "Consent?" the matriarch retorted with a chuckle. "The only reason you are still the patriarch is that you are still my husband. I let it be until now because I was afraid of a coup d''état, but not anymore."


    She paused and then declared, "We are done, Alexander; you are no longer my husband."


    The patriarch, Alexander, could only sigh and mumble, "Don''t do this, Adriana."


    With a determined tone, the matriarch declared, "Oh, actually, I already did."


    A thin thread connecting Adriana and Alexander became visible. It began to shake and eventually snapped, signifying the end of their marriage.


    "Adriana...what did you do?" Alexander clenched his fist as he witnessed his marriage falling apart with bloodshot eyes, though I doubt it was from his love for the matriarch. From the matriarch''s words, I clearly understood he was only after her power.


    "Our relationship is over, and you are no longer the patriarch of the Hailstorm clan. From now on, this clan will be governed by me and my three daughters. I no longer need you or your brothers," Adriana stated coldly. "Do yourself a favor and take all of your trash and get the fuck out of my house."


    "Adriana, you will pay for this, you will pay for this humiliation."


    "Humiliation? Do you want to talk about humiliation, Alexander? Do you really think I don''t know about the schemes and conspiracies you and your devious brother, Harper, were plotting behind my back to take away my authority from me? Oh, and not just that, I am also aware of the those bitches you were fucking behind me back."


    "H-How?" Alexander looked as if he had no words to speak and lowered his head in shame.


    "Come on; it was obvious," the matriarch retorted.


    She paused for a second. "I was just waiting for the perfect time to bring this up. Now that my grandson has shown up, with his potential, once I recognize him as my heir, my clan''s providence would surely increase. At that time, those who betrayed me and joined you would have no choice but to pledge their allegiance to me."


    She was right.


    With Sam''s unparalleled talent and physique, making him the heir of the Hailstorm clan would significantly increase the clan''s providence.


    Providence was crucial to a clan''s prosperity, and without it, the clan would eventually decline.


    To enhance a clan''s providence, they needed to have or possess heavenly or blessed entities. These entities could be anything from karmic treasures to cultivators with blessings, high potential, and talents.


    When a cultivator awakened a Daoist physique, divine power, or innate abilities, they were considered blessed by the Heavenly Daos.


    The higher the position of these cultivators within the clan, the greater the overall providence of the clan.


    When providence increased, everyone in the clan would benefit in various ways. The clan would flourish, cultivation would become easier, more people would survive tribulations, and it would increase the karmic merits of the clan and its members.


    Alexander had nothing to say in response to the matriarch''s revelation.


    It appeared that the patriarch hadn''t just been unfaithful but was also planning to usurp power from the matriarch.


    In my opinion, what the matriarch did was fair.


    Without saying another word, Alexander and those with him flew away from the ancestral manor, with his brother Harper Hailstorm following suit.


    I couldn''t help but feel for the matriarch as she observed the family''s turmoil.


    The matriarch looked at her grandson with a mixture of love and relief. "Sam, I know you only met me today, and I know it is hard for you to accept me as your grandmother, but I want you to know that I love you with all my heart." She held Sam''s hand with warmth. "I hope you accept this as your birthright."


    I could see the nervousness in Sam''s face; this was all new to him, and his earlier smug expression had vanished completely.


    "Accept it, Sam," Lorraine, his aunt, encouraged with a small smile.


    Sam''s gaze wandered towards his mom, his older sister, and then towards his second aunt, Ava Hailstorm, who also seemed to have no problem with Sam becoming the heir to the clan.


    "I accept," Sam hesitated for a moment before nodding his head.


    A smile formed on the matriarch''s face. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She brought the white jade pendant towards Sam and held it in his hand, while her eyes remained intensely fixed on Sam''s.


    "You are my grandson, you are of my blood and my family. I, Adriana Hailstorm, the daughter of the ninth-generation Hailstorm emperor and empress, with the Heavenly Daos as my witness, declare you as my true successor and heir to the noble Hailstorm Dragon Clan."


    ...


    [A/N: If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider supporting it with a few Power Stones. And if you absolutely loved it, you can even contribute a Golden Ticket. Your support means a lot to me! Thank you very much! - Arigato! ????]