The Hidden Dragon Son In-law

oss polished marble floors. The air smelled of old wine and old money arrogance wov

ant to display the dynasty's power to the city's elite. Politicians, business tycoons, an

of the banquet,

Cole

six feet, lean, broad-shouldered but his cheap clothes drew every sneer and whisper like a magnet. He had the quiet, sharp eyes of a man

by guests to hear. The eldest son of the family, Marcus, adjusted the cufflinks of his desig

's lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. He

phire gown that drew admiring glances wherever she moved, but her expression was tight.

y, though her tone carried steel. "Cole

rried into us, yes but has he contributed anything? No business, no reputa

gaze turn toward him. Some cur

tarted, but a sharp

nding him,

n hand. Her eyes were cold, her jewels brighter than her smile. She look

ebration of power and prestige, not a charity dinner. If Cole insists on humiliat

ey were familiar. Cole had heard them a hundred times in a

silence was a shield.But toni

s phone. Quietly, discreetly, he slipp

a number he had

The empire await

froze arou

all of it blurred into a distant hum. His heartbea

had

wer he had hidden, the dragon

ake yourself useful tonight? Go fetch drinks for the guests. At

e she could speak, Cole gently squeezed her hand. His express

r softened as guests turned to watch. He stopped directly

s calm. Almo

berate. "A man who underestimates others oft

a moment, silence cut

eless son-in-law dares to lecture me? Tell me, Cole, do you even have a job? Do you

venomous. "Men like you do

of the message grounding him. His silence returned not of weakness, but of patie

wine glasses muted. Dozens of eyes focused on Cole, the so called worthless son-in-la

Cole, don't provoke Marcus

servant. The circle of wealthy guests began murm

his pulse still thrummed with the weight of that m

le of a useless son-in-law. And tonight,

hone stood. "Let me entertain our guests. After all, it's Father's si

ho looked up at him anxiously. Her

m properly? You always le

, frustrated. She wanted him to defend hi

softened as

sharper than a blade," he murmu

t even she had limits. And Cole knew the day was coming when she would question if her faith in him h

ather's sixtieth birthday. The Mercedes family has stood strong in this city

. Marcus basked in it, soaking

schief, "a family is only as strong as its members. Each of us ca

rately, letting

someone enters our family

lowed. Guests leaned for

no business, no wealth, no accomplishments. He eats our food, drinks our wine,

eady to speak, but Cole placed a hand lightly on he

tell you what, Cole. Since tonight is Father's birthday, why don't you stand

the room. It was a trap one M

, deliberate. He mounted the stage, took the micro

a of faces. Wealthy, arrogant, eager to laugh at him. He saw Marc

en, he

m nothing but a son-in-law. To the city, I am invisible. Many of you believ

wned, not expecting such composure.Cole

t. I'll only say this: every man has his season. And sometimes, the tree yo

in the air, hea

laughed nervously before forcing a scoff. "Empt

ole had said little and yet something in his

driana. She looked at him with

elf," she whispered.Cole gave

gain. He slipped it from his pocke

rrow, Master Ambers. Shall

y, the faintest shadow of

.Tonight, let them laugh.Because soon,

he had already won a great battle. Cole returned to his corner beside Andriana

ou hea

philo

wise man but live

elieved him

ast to Father tonight. May the Mercedes family grow ever s

linked. W

rrogance.But Andriana could no longer hold back. She tur

ou disgrace our family more with your crue

arely raised her voice, and

amily? Sister, open your eyes. Father built this empire with blood and sweat. Mother maintains our name with her

wanted to scream, to defend her husband,

u embarrass us all by

onviction. Her jeweled hand gestured dismissively toward Cole. "He has drained your youth, you

ncomfortably, though their eyes glittered with amuse

ana's hand, steadying her as her anger trembled throu

are for those who need to prov

e had believed him for years. But every insult, every humiliation, every e

nd the show with one last strike. He gest

velopes of stock shares, even the keys to luxury cars. Each family me

eath the chandeliers,we

now, let's see what our dear broth

ed. Some leaned

dn't care, but because Vivienne had forbidden him from spending even a dime

s the matter? Forgot to bring a gift? Or did th

ic as a statue at the head of the table, allowed

She wanted to explain, to protect h

pped f

a gift," he

d. "Oh? And where is it? Don't

lled out... nothing more than a fol

disbelief

? Don't tell me you've brought Fath

earing it open with exaggerated flair. The c

for everyone to

It wasn't money.

a con

k: the chairman of Falcon Holdings, a corpor

ed. His eyes darted to Cole.

le in the city, a titan of finance. How could the useless

through the storm

lcon Holdings has agreed to invest in Mercedes

all e

s face twisted between rage and disbelief. Harold Mercedes sat f

ons, but her throat locked.Cole, meanwhile, stood with his hands calmly fold

eginning.Tonight, they saw a glimpse