King-In-Law, The Hidden God Of War!

007

The guests began to shuffle to their feet, each moving deliberately slow, glancing back over their shoulders, wanting to etch into memory the scene of the Grant father and son being driven out of the “center of power” right in front of hundreds of people. Some even covertly took out their phones to record a short clip, planning to share it everywhere later as a badge of honor: “I witnessed the most humiliating day in the Grant family’s history in Draventon!”

Those who once fawned over and flattered Arnold now only dared to nod stiffly, not daring to utter another word. That suffocating air of humiliation weighed heavily on the shoulders of the Grant father and son, making each step they took out feel like they were dragging the last remnants of their dignity with them.

Once they reached the ground floor, Victor stumbled, his eyes flashing with venom, his chest heaving with rage. He all but ground his teeth to dust: “We’re not letting them off, Dad…!”

Arnold didn’t answer, only gave Raymond one last glance, his gaze as dark and cold as an abyss. He muttered, voice low enough for only Victor to hear: “Just because he served in the military, they invite him to stay? They’re looking down on us, treating us like we’re worth less than that brat.”

His jaw clenched, teeth grinding audibly. After a few seconds, he added, “Keep watch outside, when they come out, not a single one leaves alive.”

“Yes, sir!” The subordinates received the order, immediately strengthening their numbers, ready to kill Raymond at any moment.

At this moment, the once bustling hall of the matchmaking banquet was now almost deserted, with only a few servers remaining.

Vera and her team still stood there, their faces emotionless, as if long accustomed to witnessing the toppling of those in power. Sophia was still clutching Raymond’s hand, tears shimmering at the corners of her eyes, part pride, part the realization that the real storm was only just beginning.

Standing beside Raymond, Sophia’s face remained dazed. Everything that had happened left her feeling lost amid the unfolding events, from humiliation, to surprise, to emptiness. She knew that none of what had just happened had anything to do with Raymond’s initiative; it was just a coincidence that he was part of the “veteran” group and thus was invited to stay. She wasn’t even sure if she should feel lucky, or just laugh at the absurd twists of fate.

Vera stepped forward then, her expression serious, speaking in a polite tone: “Mr. Raymond and family, please proceed to the Executive Suite to continue the banquet at the government’s special invitation. Our team will be responsible for the security of this area.”

As Vera finished, the atmosphere in the hall grew even colder; every remaining gaze landed on the Thompson family. The murmurs dwindled and then fell silent; the guests of the matchmaking event were gradually ushered out. In the end, only the slow, measured steps of a server approaching remained. He bowed his head and said evenly, “Please follow me. The private elevator is ready.”

With that, the server turned to lead the way without another word. Sophia’s family followed in silence, none of them wanting to speak first, no one in the mood to ask any questions.

Sophia led the way, her face expressionless. Everything had happened so quickly she hadn’t had time to collect herself; she only knew she’d been swept into a nightmare with no exit. She kept her distance from Raymond, forcing herself to walk steadily even as her heart was in turmoil. From her gaze, her posture, even her breathing, all radiated a chilly stubbornness, nobody could easily reach her.

Raymond walked quietly behind, his face like carved stone. His shadow stretched across the glass wall of the corridor, lengthened by the cold white ceiling lights. He didn’t say a word, didn’t look at anyone, made no move to explain. All the things he’d heard and endured seemed to no longer faze him.

Mr. Dante walked beside his wife, his elderly face tense. He leaned forward, whispering just loud enough for Mrs. Kiera to hear: “Let’s just go and see what this is all about.”

Mrs. Kiera gripped her purse tightly, unable to hide her unease, replying in a low voice, “There’s nothing good here. Our family’s been singled out; this so-called favor might turn into disaster.”

Laura brought up the rear, arms crossed over her chest, eyes darting from Raymond to Sophia and back. She smirked, speaking in a low voice for her mother’s ears only: “Mom, you know what? This is just us being shoved out front to take the fall. How are we supposed to face the Grant family now?”

Their shoes thudded softly on the carpet, each step stretching out the sense of unease pressing down on every member of the family. Along the corridor, the landscape paintings hanging on both sides only made the space feel colder and more unfamiliar.

At the end of the hallway, the private elevator was waiting, already open. The server stopped, bowed, said nothing more, and quietly withdrew. The air grew heavy, stifling.

Sophia was the first to step into the elevator. She shrank into a corner, eyes downcast, clutching her purse, not glancing at anyone. Raymond followed, leaning against the elevator wall, eyes facing forward, his expression indifferent as if nothing outside could touch him.

Mrs. Kiera pulled her husband closer, whispering in his ear: “Once we’re up there, mind your words. If anything about this gets out, it’ll spell disaster for all of us.”

Mr. Dante nodded, unconsciously wiping sweat from his brow, murmuring just loud enough to be heard: “I know, stop worrying so much.”

Laura folded her arms and leaned against the wall, her gaze settling on Raymond. She curled her lip, thinking, “No matter how careful you are, we’ve still crossed the Grant family. Coming back like this, stirring up a mess.”

Raymond kept his calm facade, but the corner of his mouth curled into a cold, unreadable smile. He was too familiar with the feeling of being ostracized, doubted, backed into a corner, if things were normal, that would be strange.

The elevator doors opened at the top floor. Before them was a corridor lined with thick navy carpet, golden lights casting a gentle glow on marble walls. Another hotel staff member waited there, bowing slightly and holding the suite door open, quickly stepping aside.

Sophia exited first, her shoulders trembling slightly though no one noticed. She chose a seat at the end of the table, her eyes lingering briefly on the gray leather chairs before dropping to her hands. Raymond came in after, pulling out a chair two seats away from her, maintaining that quiet distance like an invisible boundary no one wanted to cross.

Mr. Dante took the head of the table, sitting still with his hands clasped together on the tabletop, sweat beading on his brow. Mrs. Kiera sat near the door, eyes scanning the room, pulling out tissues to dab her forehead, her lips tightly pressed together in silence. Laura sat beside her mother, legs crossed, back resting against the chair, her gaze full of hostility toward Raymond, then shifting to Sophia.

The executive suite had been prepared lavishly, the banquet table long, covered in pristine white cloth, gourmet food and drinks ready, fresh flowers spreading a faint scent across the table. Yet in this atmosphere, the silence only made the mood heavier and more alienating; no one made any move to touch the food.

Beyond the glass windows was Draventon at night, streetlights sparkling beneath a misty rain. The room’s warm light stood in stark contrast to the chill and distance pervading every breath of the Thompson family.

Mrs. Kiera glanced around and murmured to her husband, “Didn’t I say it? What if they’re locking us in up here?”

Mr. Dante didn’t answer, just shook his head in frustration, eyes glued to the table as if trying to avoid everyone’s gaze.

Suddenly Laura spoke up sharply: “Look at yourself, Raymond. You can’t even dress decently. Just because you were in the military, you act like you’re something special. If you had any ability, Sophia wouldn’t have been forced to remarry, and our family wouldn’t have had to swallow our pride time after time! Now you’ve dragged us into this mess, made us sit here, and we still have to worry about how to apologize to the Grant family.”

Raymond heard it all, but didn’t turn, didn’t react. He sat as still as a block of cold stone, his eyes gazing out the large window.

Mr. Dante leaned back, glancing at Raymond: “What’s your deal, staying silent all this time? Are you mute?”

Mrs. Kiera set her purse on the table, her voice flat: “Having someone like you in the family is no blessing. Years ago you disappeared, now you’re back demanding your wife, and you’ve already shamed us enough.”

Laura crossed her arms, staring straight at Raymond: “You think getting invited up here is so impressive? You’re just some lowly soldier who happened to be picked; nobody’s bowing to you.”

Mrs. Kiera didn’t look at Raymond, just curled her lip and added, “You’d better sign the divorce papers with Sophia and let my daughter start a new life. Stop bothering her.”

Mr. Dante tapped his fingers on the table: “Tomorrow you go out and apologize to the Grant family, then sign the divorce papers. I don’t want to be dragged into this anymore.”