On the television, the Small Earl had already developed an air of nobility as he stood surrounded by everyone.
Two things best reflected a person's distinctive bearing: absolute wealth and absolute power.
Absolute wealth brought absolute confidence, because you knew that whatever you did or said, it would never lead to consequences you could not bear.
Nothing in this world could restrain your thoughts or actions anymore. That wealth, which created an "antibody" against the rules governing the world's operation from the inside out, was confidence! Power was the same. The power to control other people's fates gave one the illusion that I am God. With that illusion bolstering them, anyone and anything would become insignificant.
You would never hold reverence for anything insignificant.
The Small Earl might not have reached the level of absolute wealth or absolute power yet, but he had still risen above most people.
Everyone watched him with a smile, as if everything he did and said could bring people beauty and happiness! The people in front of the television, however, did not think so.
The man at the head looked somewhat similar to the Small Earl. He was the Small Earl's biological uncle, the younger brother of the Small Earl's father.
When the Small Earl's father had died suddenly, he had been the first to stand up and contend with his nephew for the right of succession.
He had chosen an excellent opportunity. Before anyone could react, he had begun making contacts everywhere, trying to ensure that the title would fall to him rather than his nephew.
He had come very close to succeeding! Just a little more! If not for his sister-in-law's early efforts to run around on behalf of the Small Earl, the Small Earl might already have lost his chance to inherit