She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother

Chapter 469: Convocation Day(4)

The thunderous applause for Catherine and Victoria slowly faded into a reverent silence as President Miranda Whitman stepped back to the podium. A solemn expression settled over her face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and graduates of Blackwood University," she announced, her voice carrying a weight of tradition, "before we proceed with the conferral of degrees, we shall begin this ceremony as we always have... with reverence and pride."

She paused, letting the moment build.

"Please rise for the Anthem of The Sacred Blackwood Family."

Without a single word of protest or hesitation, the entire hall stood up in unison. The sound of thousands of people rising together echoed like a wave. Alex rose with them, his expression calm but his mind sharply observant.

The lights dimmed further, leaving only a soft golden illumination on the stage and the towering Blackwood crest above it.

Then, the first solemn notes of the anthem began to play... a powerful orchestral piece blending classical grandeur with a deep, almost spiritual resonance. It was not just music. It was a declaration.

The anthem dedicated to the Sacred Family Blackwood and their Patron God.

Alex looked around slowly. In the VIP balcony, Edward Steele stood tall and rigid, hands respectfully at his sides. Natalia, despite her usual seductive aura, stood with perfect poise, head slightly bowed in deference. Marcus, Tyler, Robert, and their families... all of them... stood motionless, faces solemn.

There wasn’t a single trace of their usual arrogance or entitlement.

No one dared.

Even the wealthiest parents and most influential alumni stood with quiet reverence, hands by their sides, listening intently as the anthem swelled.

The lyrics, sung by a hidden choir with haunting beauty, spoke of unyielding legacy, divine patronage, and the eternal strength of the Blackwood bloodline.

’This...’ Alex thought, a rare sense of awe mixing with his cold resolve, ’this is the first time I’m truly facing something like this.’

He had known Blackwood was powerful. But this... this collective, instinctive submission from people who normally looked down on the world, revealed the true depth of the Blackwood Family’s dominance. No one, not even the Steeles or the other elite clans present, showed even a flicker of arrogance.

In front of the Blackwood name and their Patron God, everyone bowed.

The realization settled heavily in Alex’s chest. The power Victoria and Catherine carried wasn’t just personal wealth or influence. It was something far older. Far deeper.

Something that commanded respect from the very people who had once tried to crush him.

A faint, dangerous smile touched the corner of his lips.

’One day... they will all bow like this for me.’

As the final, majestic notes of the anthem faded, the entire hall remained standing for a few seconds in complete silence before slowly taking their seats again.

Miranda Whitman gave a small, satisfied nod.

"And now," Miranda said, her voice carrying clear reverence, "It is my great honor to request our esteemed chief guest, Ms. Catherine Blackwood to address our graduates."

Catherine stepped up to the podium with effortless poise. The deep, rich fabric of her gown caught the spotlight as she adjusted the microphone.

For a moment, she simply looked out over the sea of faces... graduates, parents, and the elite of Blackwood... her presence commanding absolute attention without a single word.

Then she smiled. It was a calm, elegant, and dangerously sharp smile.

"Graduates of Blackwood," Catherine began, her voice smooth as polished steel, yet warm with genuine pride. "First and foremost, congratulations. Today, you stand not as students, but as the finished blades forged in one of the greatest institutions in the world. You have earned this moment. Cherish it."

The hall listened in rapt silence.

"Blackwood University is more than an institution. It is a crucible. A sacred ground where potential is transformed into power. For centuries, this university has produced leaders who do not merely survive the world... they shape it. I am deeply grateful that I once walked these same halls, faced the same challenges, and emerged stronger because of them. Blackwood did not just educate me. It awakened me."

She paused, letting her words resonate, her gaze sweeping across the crowd with charismatic authority.

"Many of you were born with advantages," Catherine continued, her tone elegant and sophisticated, yet laced with subtle steel.

"Wealth. Connections. Names that open doors before you even knock. And that is not a sin. But remember this — true power is not measured by what you inherit, but by what you forge in the face of adversity."

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the silent hall.

"Out there, the real world is brutal. It is merciless. It does not care about your bloodline, your wealth, or your connections. It will test you, break you, and discard you without hesitation if you are found wanting."

"But here — within Blackwood — we do not raise fragile flowers. We cultivate warriors. Men and women who adapt, who endure, who seize every opportunity and turn every adversity into fuel for greatness."

Catherine’s voice grew more commanding, carrying a natural charisma that made every listener lean in.

"You have been given tools few others in this world will ever possess. Use them. Do not wait for permission. Do not apologize for your ambition. The weak wait for chances. The strong create them."

Her eyes swept the hall once more, and for a brief, electric moment, they locked directly onto Alex. A faint, knowing glint shone in them before she continued.

"And so, to honor the spirit of Blackwood," Catherine announced, her voice carrying absolute authority, "I make this declaration today: Whoever secures the first rank among this year’s graduates will receive the rare honor of being personally mentored by me."

A wave of stunned whispers and excited murmurs swept through the hall like wildfire.

The graduates erupted into hushed excitement. Students turned to each other with wide eyes, already envying whoever had claimed the top spot. Dreams of being personally trained by one of the most powerful women in the world spread like electricity through the rows.

But the real impact landed in the VIP sections.

The elite families sat in stunned disbelief, exchanging glances with one another.

Whispers broke out among them — "What did she mean by this?" "Why go to such lengths for a mere graduate?" The announcement was far too personal, far too generous for someone of Catherine Blackwood’s stature.

In the Steele family balcony, however, the reaction was sharper.

Edward Steele’s expression darkened instantly. Natalia, who had been smiling moments ago, now stared with narrowed eyes. The two of them looked at each other in stunned disbelief, a flash of suspicion and clarity passing between them.

Without a word, they shared a meaningful nod... a silent pact forming in that single glance. Whatever game Catherine was playing, they would not sit idly by.

Catherine, still standing at the podium, observed the entire scene with sharp, satisfied eyes. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips as she finally turned her gaze toward Alex.

He was already looking at her.

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Catherine gave him a small, secret, and dangerously intimate smile... one filled with promise, pride, and quiet conspiracy.

Alex’s lips curved slightly in return, the cold fire in his chest burning hohott.

Catherine stepped back slightly, her smile sharp and satisfied.

"Carry the name of Blackwood with pride. But more importantly, carry the will to make the world bow before what you become."

Catherine stepped back from the podium with graceful finality, her sharp yet satisfied smile lingering as she returned to her seat beside Victoria. The thunderous applause that followed was deafening.

Alex sat motionless for a moment, processing the true meaning behind her announcement.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

’Clever.’ She had found the perfect public excuse to keep him close — personal mentorship — without raising too many suspicions about their real relationship. At least for now.

He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod in her direction. He liked this plan. His secrecy was crucial, especially while she fought for the throne.

This was indeed the best method.

Miranda Whitman stepped forward once again, her presence commanding respect as she addressed the graduates.

"And now, the moment you have all been waiting for," she announced warmly, yet with undeniable weight. "It is finally time to let the world witness the fruits of your hard work and dedication. Today, your efforts are officially recognized."

The students, still riding high from Catherine’s inspiring speech, suddenly grew tense with anticipation. Hearts raced. Backs straightened. This was the moment they had sacrificed years for.

Miranda gestured toward the large stack of leather-bound degree folders on the table beside her.

"We will begin with the highest ranks and proceed downward. As is tradition at Blackwood, excellence leads the way."

Miranda Whitman smiled warmly and turned slightly toward Victoria.

"But before we proceed, it is my great honor to invite Mrs. Victoria Blackwood to personally confer the degrees and call forth our graduates. Few people embody the spirit and excellence of Blackwood more than she does."

Victoria rose gracefully from her seat, her elegant presence commanding the stage as she stepped forward. The audience applauded once again with deep respect.

Victoria took her place at the podium with natural authority. She picked up the first leather-bound degree folder, her voice clear, resonant, and filled with quiet power.

"Alexander Hale... First Rank."