Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Seeing that Flora was curious, Joey decided to fill her in. "It's a tradition in the Aristocrat World. They hold these family rankings, split into a youth assessment and an overall family strength assessment."

The youth assessment is all about checking if the younger generation has what it takes. After all, a family's future depends on its young guns. The Honor Guard runs a month-long boot camp that all the family heirs have to go through. They score their performance, and if someone really stands out, they might just score a spot with the Honor Guard.

On the flip side, the family strength assessment sizes up a family's wealth and manpower.

There's a vote, and whichever family scores the most votes climbs up the rankings. But the Gilbert family? They're pretty much average when it comes to money and talent. They're not exactly rubbing shoulders with the elite in the Aristocrat World, so they usually land somewhere in the middle each year.

Looks like this year won't be much different.

"This year, I want you all to step up and at least crack the top ten," Gerald said, trying to sound firm.

Jacob gave a small smirk and asked, "Dad, are you sure I'm your biological son?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gerald shot back, still looking stern. "If you're not my son, then what, am I yours?"

Hold on...

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Gerald realized he'd got it wrong.

Carly and Jacob burst into laughter, and even Joey couldn't help but chuckle.

"Dad, you mixed up the family tree with that one," Jacob teased. "You being my biological son would be the kind of thing they write medical journals about!"

Annoyed, Gerald gave Jacob a swift kick.

Carly doubled over with laughter, and Flora's eyes twinkled with amusement.

Jacob nursed his bruised pride, rubbing his backside. "Dad, since I'm your son, you'd think you'd have a bit more self-awareness."

He sighed, "The Honor Guard's training is brutal. If I make it through without quitting, we'll have our ancestors to thank."

Gerald, steaming, gave Jacob a smack on the head with a brick.

Joey added a couple of sneaky nudges for good measure.

...

In the end, Jacob headed to the Medical Hall with a face that looked like he'd gone ten rounds with a beehive.

Carly and Flora tagged along.

Flora didn't have much going on with the Gilbert family, so she

and see what was happeni

figured she might as well join them

On the way, Carly was in full chatter mode. "Flora you wouldn't believe how tough the Honor Guard's training And guess who's in

charge this time? Kenneth. You net

know Kenneth, right? Sydney's fiancé, the one who swung by our

place that time."

Flora nodded, "Yeah, I remember."

It was a faint memory, but there.novelbin

"I can't stand him," Carly griped. "And don't get me started on Sydney."

Flora listened, quietly taking it all in.

"Clear the way!"

"Everybody, step aside!"

Suddenly, a ruckus stirred up ahead as a wild horse barreled down the street!

In the Aristocrat World, each family might have one or two clunky vehicles, but horses were the real deal.

Every family owned lots of horses.

These aristocrats liked to think they

were a cut above the rest, going all in on ancient traditions. The young ones regularly held horse races.

So, seeing a horse tearing down the street wasn't unusual.

But this horse? It was out of control!

People in the middle of the street scrambled to get out of the way.

A lone child stood frozen, smack dab in the road.

"Hey kid, move it!"

Everyone shouted in panic, rushing to help, just as a figure shot across the sky-