Zhang Hongmei smiled and took Beth McKen's arm, while keeping her other hand on Annie.

Huang Meihua, arm in arm with Carlos McKen, led the five of them slowly toward the center of the hall.

"Thank you all for coming here today to witness the initiation ceremony of the eldest daughter of the McCann family. Today is a matter for our McCann family, and tomorrow night's banquet will be a banquet to announce it to all the noble families."

Furthermore, little Annie has already recognized the eldest daughter as her godmother, so these are two joyous occasions. Now, please welcome the eldest daughter, Zhang Hongmei (McKen), to introduce herself. She will then be added to the family register. Please give her a warm welcome!

Zhang Hongmei released Beth McKen's arm and took a step forward. "Good evening, everyone. It is a great honor to meet you all here tonight. I am very happy to be the eldest daughter of the McKen family. In the future, I will dedicate my efforts to the benefit of the family."

Zhang Hongmei finished speaking and smiled slightly. At this moment, Huang Meihua, holding Annie's hand, came to Zhang Hongmei's side.

"Today is a double celebration for us Chinese. Please witness that Anne McCann is now the goddaughter of Zhang Hongmei McCann."

Annie walked to Zhang Hongmei's side and took her hand. "This is my mother, Annie McCann!"

Everyone present already knew about these two things, and this was just a formality. No one stood up to object. The former head of the family, Beth McKen, was a ruthless character. He was a one-man show and did not allow anyone to have any objections.

This is especially true of Carlos McKen. Although he usually seems all smiles and never argues with you, that's because he doesn't care. But when it comes to matters of the heart, he won't allow anyone to have any objections.

However, everyone was wondering why the head of the family didn't marry this woman. Wouldn't that give him more power? There was no position for the eldest daughter in the previous administration, and everyone thought there wouldn't be one this time either. But then, an outsider suddenly appeared.

Everyone was speculating, but no one dared to ask. Anyone who dared to step forward at this moment would face endless trouble.

Finally, Beth McKenna stepped forward, smiling, and said, "Today is a big event for the McKenna family. From now on, when you see the young lady, her status is only lower than that of the head of the family. If anyone disrespects her, then don't blame me, Beth McKenna. Did everyone understand?"

Everyone felt a chill. Although the previous patriarch had stepped down and the McCann family had been handed over to his son, no one dared to be disrespectful in front of him, not even daring to make a joke. The older ones still remembered that when this man had just taken over as patriarch and wanted to marry this Chinese woman, some people objected and did some immoral things, and were directly expelled from the clan by him.

This is no small matter. Everyone is proud of the McCann family, and he doesn't allow the families who are kicked out to take responsibility. He's only happy when he sees them starving and freezing.

Who would dare offend someone like that? They've led everyone far ahead of other powerful families. As long as there's money to be made, let them do whatever they want.

Why is no one answering? Do I have to repeat myself?

"Yes, I will definitely show respect to Miss in the future."

Only then was Beth McKen satisfied. He smiled and looked at Zhang Hongmei.

Someone handed over an old-looking parchment scroll. Beth McKen and Carlos McKen carefully signed their names and noted that Beth McKen and Huang Meihua's adopted daughter, Zhang Hongmei McKen, was known as the family's eldest daughter.

Anne McCann is the adopted daughter of Zhang Hongmei McCann.

After that, all the clansmen lined up to inspect, and each of them nodded to Zhang Hongmei.

Seeing everyone's solemn expressions, Zhang Hongmei unconsciously began to take it seriously as well. Ancient families have their origins. They don't grow up without reason; it takes the hard work of many people, whether through honorable means or clandestine methods, all of which contribute to the family's growth and development.

The procedure was considered complete once all seventy-six families' representatives had inspected the premises.

Carlos McKen carefully put the parchment scroll away, placed it in a box of unknown material, and handed it to the butler.

"Now, my fellow clansmen, our dinner is about to begin. Enjoy yourselves. And I hope that everyone present today will be here tomorrow. I don't want others to laugh at the McCann family."

Zhang Hongmei was led by Annie as the two picked out their favorite foods in the food area, then took their plates to the head of the table and sat down.

This table is occupied by Huang Meihua's family: three daughters, three sons-in-law, and two children from each family, all of whom are boys, the oldest of whom is probably fifteen or sixteen years old.

Zhang Hongmei was quite at ease and sat down next to Huang Meihua. "What would you like to eat? I'll go get it for you."

"No need, I don't eat dinner. You guys eat your own food, don't worry about me. And is this all you're going to eat?"

"Hehe, that's all I can eat."

"cut!"

Zhang Hongmei didn't look up, but Huang Meihua gave a sharp look at her eldest daughter who had just made the sound. It was truly a major blunder in her life. Back then, she had been fighting with her mother-in-law, which had seriously delayed her daughter's education. By the time she realized the problem, it was too late, and her daughter had developed such an ignorant and nonsensical personality.

Julia McKen was startled. She hadn't really noticed before; she had only spoken up because she couldn't stand the Eastern woman's affectation. Now, thinking back, she felt a little scared. She knew her mother's methods very well.

A brief silence fell over the table. Zhang Hongmei didn't care about any of this, coaxing Annie to eat more vegetables, not like Huang Meihua, who had a strong preference for meat. She was even a little envious of her; despite loving meat, she maintained such a good figure at her age, and from behind, she was more graceful than Huang Meihua's three daughters.

Beth McKen didn't even glance at her daughter. She was so short-sighted that she wasn't worth paying attention to. If she had even the slightest redeeming quality, she would have been honored. But as her wife said, she was hopeless and couldn't be helped.

Julia was relieved to find that her parents weren't making things difficult for her. As Julia picked up her wine glass, Zhang Hongmei felt her movements were affected and lacked elegance; her attempt to appear refined only made her look awkward and out of place.

"Little sister, we're all your older sisters. Let's get to know each other, so you won't be unable to tell us apart when we bump into each other on the street." She thought she was being perfectly reasonable. She even let out a grating giggle, which gave Zhang Hongmei goosebumps.

The others also looked up at Zhang Hongmei.

He slowly swallowed the fruit in his mouth and wiped the corner of his mouth.

"I thought that was a procedure after the meal, I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry?"