The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 985

Charlotte ignored the curious stares from everyone around her as she walked to her spot and sat down.

The five patriarchs in the front row all looked over at her at the same time.

None of them were really old. Jacob was forty. The youngest, Bolton, was only twenty-five. Every single one of them had grown up fighting and hustling in rough circles since they were kids. They all saw themselves as tougher and more qualified than this girl, who honestly looked like she might trip over her own feet.

Newell had always shown he favored her. Years ago, he sent her all over the world for training. Now he brought her back for something this important. That alone said a lot.

Bolton, the one sitting closest to Charlotte, couldn’t help but comment when he saw how calm she looked. He leaned over and said, loud enough for her to hear, “The council doesn’t take in dead weight.”

Just as he finished, his eyes drifted to her phone screen. He froze for a second, eyes going wide.

“Wait, is that—”

Her fingers moved lightning fast. He hadn’t seen hands move that fast since he’d watched his gaming coach play.

“What’s with the ‘wait’?”

Carrol grabbed him and pulled him back, her voice low and sharp. “Don’t forget, she’s not on our side today.”

Sam chimed in, “If she actually becomes the boss, would you really call her that?”

Herman shook his head with a disgusted look. “I’d rather eat dirt than call her boss.”

Jacob looked at Charlotte, his face giving nothing away, then turned away with a confident air.

The room went quiet. Everyone stared at the stage.

The tension in this DM meeting was worse than ever before.

Newell sat up straight at the front. “You all know why we’re here today.” As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Charlotte, still busy with her game, and he couldn’t help but smile. “I nominate Nine as a candidate for chief patriarch.”

Herman spoke up. “Newell, we deserve a real explanation.”

Bolton added, “If she wants to be chief patriarch, she’ll have to prove herself to us. She needs to earn it.”

As everyone argued around her, Charlotte finally looked up, her voice low and steady. “Then let’s start the competition.”

She just wanted to get through this, keep her word, and get back to Cabinda as soon as possible.

“Hold on,” Newell said, his smile calm. He turned to Jacob, who still hadn’t said a word. “What about you? What do you think?”

If Charlotte was going to take over DM, she needed these five on her side. They would become her strongest supporters if she could win them over.

Jacob answered quietly. “Newell, DM might be your organization, but everyone here would give their life for it. We can’t let anyone destroy it.”