The noon sun blazed brilliantly, spilling over the layered glazed tiles of the Qiao Family estate and reflecting a dazzling golden glow.
Outside the Qiao Family gates, Old Madam Qiao leaned on a dragon-headed cane symbolizing the family's authority. Accompanied by the Qiao Family's core members, she had been waiting beneath the scorching sun since early morning.
Though advanced in years and with a head full of silver hair, the usually imposing old lady was in exceptionally high spirits today.
Her aged face, deeply lined by time, was wreathed in a smile as radiant as a blooming chrysanthemum, while her eyes gleamed with shrewd calculation.
The moment Old Madam Qiao learned that Young Master Jiang would personally pick Joanna up for the charity gala, she was over the moon!
As the seasoned head of a family, she had calculated the stakes more clearly than anyone.
Inheritance of the family head's position, rules of seniority and hierarchy—before overwhelming wealth, they were all bullshit!
As long as Joanna could firmly capture Jiang Che's heart, the closer she became to that powerful young master, the more the entire Qiao Family would rise with her!
She had once deliberately nurtured her biological grandson, Qiao Shan, because she feared power would fall into other hands and wanted her own bloodline to remain in control.
But things had changed now.
Joanna had already become Young Master Jiang's woman. She had flown onto a branch and become a phoenix!
As long as the girl was willing to whisper a few words in Young Master Jiang's ear and bring more tangible benefits to the Qiao Family—
Even if Old Madam Qiao had to give up the position of family head immediately, she would have no objections. She would even welcome it!
After all, all she cared about was