Mary Frank hadn't expected Lian to actually kiss her. He seemed intent on verifying his own words right then and there.
She had laid her cards on the table, but Mary never imagined Lian would be bold enough to test them immediately. After all, she was the woman known as the Southern Dominator; her status, power, and wealth all far surpassed that of Lian Moria.
Under normal circumstances, Lian—the illegitimate son of an Illegitimate Child of the Moria Clan—wasn't worthy of even a member of the Jackson Family.
If not for Catherine's downfall, Lian would likely never have been able to come into contact with the nobles at the apex of wealth and power.
True, his marriage to Catherine had earned him the title of one of the Empire's nouveau riche and the recognition of Duke Moria, but that was in no way comparable to Mary.
Mary was a true wielder of power in the Empire. In each of her marriages, the husband had been the one marrying up.
