Chapter 417 Won't Let Isabella Take His Position
The Powell castle.
As soon as Isabella entered the hall, Gwyneth called out to her: "Ansley, the date for the ancient martial arts competition has been set. According to the rules, each participating family or organization can send a maximum of five people, plus one team leader, forming a six-person team to compete."
"The elders and I have unanimously decided that you will lead the team representing the Powell family in this competition. What do you think?"
Isabella naturally had no reason to refuse. "I'm fine with it."
Gwyneth then looked at Knox. "Knox, go get Walter."
"Yes."
Soon, Knox returned with a young man.
The young man had a thin, pale face, and his eyes revealed an extreme coldness.
Walter walked in, glanced at Gwyneth, and asked: "Ms. Gwyneth Powell, you're looking for me because you want me to lead the team in the ancient martial arts competition, right?"
As soon as Walter learned about the competition rules, he guessed that Gwyneth would definitely have him lead the team.
After all, he was the strongest among the Powell family's younger generation.
All the elders praised him highly, believing he was the Powell family's future.
If the Powell family wanted to win this competition, they would definitely need him to participate. It was a no-brainer.
Gwyneth looked at the young man and smiled. "Walter, I'm planning to have Isabella take the team leader position. You just need to participate as a main member."
Hearing this, Walter's brow furrowed slightly.
His gaze swept over Isabella. He was very dissatisfied with this arrangement, and a trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes, though he didn't show it too obviously.
Walter just looked at Gwyneth and said, "Since Ms. Gwyneth Powell has already decided, I'll follow the arrangement."
After hearing Gwyneth mention some matters regarding the ancient martial arts competition, Walter left the hall. His expression remained sour the whole way.
Outside the hall, a woman was waiting.
Seeing Walter come out, she immediately asked eagerly: "Walter, how did it go? What did Ms. Gwyneth Powell say? Is she planning to have you lead the team in the ancient martial arts competition?"
"No." Walter was very unhappy. "She only said I would participate. For the team leader position, she's planning to have Isabella take it."
What did it matter how capable he was? Isabella was Gwyneth's daughter, so naturally, Gwyneth valued Isabella more.
Hearing this, Helena Powell's expression froze. She was obviously very dissatisfied with this arrangement. "How can this be?"
This ancient martial arts competition was open to all of Novaria. Everyone in Novaria would know about it.
If Walter could lead the team to victory, it would be a great honor.
She had thought the captain position would definitely go to Walter, but she never expected that Gwyneth would plan to have Isabella lead the team.
How could this be acceptable?
"This definitely won't work." Helena's face darkened. "Even if Isabella is Gwyneth's daughter, what ability does she have? She spent over ten years in Lumaria and never properly practiced ancient martial arts. She would only drag the team down in the competition, so how can she lead?"
"What if we lose the competition? There are so many experts participating. Does she know how intense the competition is? Does she know what losing means?"
A girl who had been away for over ten years and had only just returned—how could she possibly have the ability to lead the team well and win this competition?
"That's what I think too." Walter clenched his fists. "But this is Ms. Gwyneth Powell's decision. What can I do about it?"
He had always thought Gwyneth was a reasonable person, but he didn't expect her to be so emotional this time.
"I'll go talk to Gwyneth," Helena said coldly. "If she still wants to win the competition, she must let you lead the team."
Walter didn't stop her. He watched as Helena went to find Gwyneth.
When Helena entered the hall, Isabella was still there. Helena glanced at Isabella and, without any reservations, said directly to Gwyneth: "Ms. Gwyneth Powell, I just heard from Walter that you're planning to have Isabella lead the team in this ancient martial arts competition?"
"That's right." Gwyneth glanced at Helena. "What about it?"
"I hope you'll reconsider," Helena said. "Ms. Taylor just returned and has no combat experience. She doesn't understand the ancient martial arts competition either. She's simply not suitable to be a team leader."
Hearing this, Isabella narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze falling on Helena, though she didn't say anything.
Because she indeed had no combat experience.
However, when Gwyneth heard Helena's words, her eyes immediately turned cold, and her voice became stern. She looked at Helena with an invisible pressure. "Who gave you the nerve to talk about her like that in front of Ansley?"
"Are you saying my daughter is incompetent? That she doesn't deserve to lead the team?"
Because Walter had always been valued, Helena had always been confident in front of Gwyneth. Gwyneth had always spoken to her fairly politely and had never lost her temper like this.
Helena immediately felt a chill rise, her face turning pale. She quickly said, "Ms. Gwyneth Powell, that's not what I meant. I just hope the Powell family can win."
"So in your view, if Ansley leads the team, the Powell family won't be able to win?" Gwyneth asked coldly with a sneer.
Helena choked, suddenly not knowing what to say.
Gwyneth suppressed her anger with effort and said sternly, "Helena, you're not yet an elder of the Powell family. Don't try to interfere in these matters. Just do your own job properly, understand?"
Helena clenched her fists, not daring to argue.
"Yes."
Helena left in a daze. After leaving the hall, once the fear from Gwyneth's pressure had dissipated, her expression became even worse.
She felt Gwyneth's words were a bit too harsh.
Although she indeed wasn't an elder of the Powell family, Walter would definitely be a key figure in the Powell family's future. She didn't expect Gwyneth to be so rude to her.
Seeing Helena come out, Walter asked: "How did it go? What did Gwyneth say?"
"Looks like she's not planning to change the team leader," Helena said with displeasure. "Gwyneth is very protective of Isabella."
"Just as I thought." Walter knew this would be the result. He said coldly, "Isabella just returned and urgently needs an opportunity to prove herself to the outside world. Gwyneth probably thinks the same way, but has she considered that Isabella Powell simply doesn't have the ability?"
Helena rubbed her temples. "Walter, so what do we do now?"
"Then we'll force Isabella to give up the team leader position." A trace of scheming flashed across Walters' eyes. "There's still some time before the competition, right? I have plenty of ways."
Isabella grew up in a place like Lumaria and never received proper ancient martial arts training from childhood. If she weren't Gwyneth's daughter, no one would even notice her. Someone like her could just have the title of young lady, to actually want to be a team leader and participate in this kind of real combat? How ridiculous.
He wouldn't let Isabella steal his position.
The team leader position must be his.