I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!-Chapter 1196: Perfection = Hera Cruel.

"Nice place!" Hera mused as she entered the grand receiving area of the house. Her eyes slowly traveled from across the room and then landed on Nigel, the man who let her in.

"And you must be Nigel?" she assessed the butler with a short smile. "I thought you were old, but you seem younger than I expected. Charlotte told me lots of things about you."

Nigel maintained a stoic countenance, but in his mind, he was more surprised to see her this close. It was as though he was staring at Felice or Florence, but her aura exuded something else that made her different from those two.

"The madam will come down in a bit," said the butler. "For now, please make yourself at home."

Hera snorted. "How can I feel at home when I am already home?"

Nigel gulped but didn’t say anything. If Florence heard that, she would be extremely mad.

"Moreover, how can I make myself home when all the people in here had their guns on me?" Hera smirked, walking toward Nigel and casually patting his shoulder. "I would like some tea, Nigel. Get it for me."

Nigel cast his eyes down as his jaw tightened while Hera walked past him. The armed men surrounding the grand great hall didn’t faze her a bit, taking a languid seat on the couch around.

"Oh, and Nigel," she called as soon as she sat down, head turned in the butler’s vantage point. "Don’t bother putting poison in my tea, I’ll know. Also, don’t make it too hot — it’ll hurt Florence if I throw it in her face."

Everyone’s expression looked grim at the confidence and arrogance she was displaying. She was making orders to Nigel so casually, as if he had been on her payroll for a long time. However, they wouldn’t expect anything less from Hera Cruel. And if they were going to be honest, they had to admit her arrogance wasn’t as irritating. It was a quality one a leader must have.

"You’re only here and you’re already demanding quite a request from my people."

Suddenly, a familiar voice caressed Hera’s ears. Before she could even search for the owner of the voice, the corner of her lips curled up into a smirk. When Hera lifted her gaze, she instantly caught a figure standing on the staircase.

For a second, surprise peeked in Hera’s eyes the second she saw Florence. It was as though she was seeing her mother, Felice.

"How cute," Hera commented sarcastically. "For a moment there, I thought I was seeing my mother. Are you perhaps my mother?"

Florence chuckled, taking the steps down leisurely. "Of all the things I thought you were going to tell me, you are asking me if I am your mother. What a funny child. Don’t you have pride, or do you miss your mother so much you’re willing to replace her?"

"Pride is something one should let go in my position and yes. As an orphan, I wouldn’t mind replacing my mother." Hera wiggled her brows as she quickly recovered from her initial shock. "The problem is, my mother is one hell of a woman and she is irreplaceable. Don’t be disappointed, though. It’s not like this is the first time you’ve been number 2."

Florence’s smile remained, but her eyes briefly exuded murderous intent. She let it slide, prancing her way to the great hall, and then sat down across from Hera Cruel.

"You’re much slimmer than I expected," she mused. "And less intimidating than your photo."

"And I expected you to be much uglier. I gotta admit you aged like a fine wine!" Hera tilted her head to the side. "I feel like you’re my sister or something."

Florence laughed. "Enough with the humor, Hera Cruel. You didn’t come down here all on your own just to compliment me. Tell me what you want. Though I’m not saying I will grant whatever wish you want to make, I’ll hear it as my parting gift before you join your parents."

"What’s the rush?" Hera arched a brow. "I didn’t come here to make any wish — I don’t make those things."

"What do you make?"

"Nothing. It’s the other around, Florence Oxley." She sported a knowing look. "I grant people’s wishes. If you don’t believe me, then you can ask all the people I sent to hell once you get there. I’m sure they’ll love to share my benevolence. I won’t be surprised if talking about me is part of their bonding time."

"Haha. What an arrogant child."

"I am, apparently, arrogant." Hera slowly rested her leg over the other, propping her elbow on the armrest. "So? What is your last wish, Florence? Though I won’t grant it, I’ll lend you my ear before you join my mother where you’ll stay number 2... forever."

The smile on Florence slowly faded while Hera’s smirk stretched more obviously.

"I heard you had a unique way of relaying your message and I guess the rumors are true," said Florence. "You are an annoying child."

"I am only annoying to you because you know, Florence, I can kill you."

"Hah!" Florence laughed. "You are naive as well."

"And you are delusional, riding on a high horse, not knowing it’s a carousel ride." Hera’s smile also faded. "Without all these people or the generational wealth of this family, you... are nothing, Florence Oxley. On the other hand, with or without the Oxley Family, my mother is someone — a legend to many, and so was her daughter."

"But then again, you are too sharp to admit that and your daughter is too dim to exist," she continued, pressing Florence’s buttons to see which one would light up. "Without the Oxley, you are just... Florence. Isn’t that funny? Being an Oxley is all you have and yet, you still can’t be number one? My goodness. No wonder everyone in here looked so disappointed."

Hera sighed as her eyes glossed over the armed soldiers surrounding them. "Their leader is too weak and hence, regardless of their numbers, they also feel so damn pathetic."

Florence’s face darkened just like the soldiers, not pleased with Hera’s gloating and all.

"Don’t you think so, Nigel?" Hera inquired as soon as Nigel stepped in, placing the tea on the table separating Florence and Hera. "Your Madam is too weak to lead, but too prideful to admit it. Tell her, Nigel."

She slowly set her eyes on Florence, smirking wickedly. "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."