C5 The Richest Man Is the Soninlaw!?

Boom!

Denis felt like he'd been hit by a thunderbolt, his eyes wide with shock as he gaped at Tella. The idea of a God of Soldier becoming a mere son-in-law was preposterous! If the supreme beings and powerbrokers beyond their realm caught wind of this, their jaws would surely hit the floor!

"To marry into the family? To become a live-in son-in-law?"

Wood was taken aback. He mulled it over briefly before nodding in agreement. Being with Tella and righting his past wrongs was worth any sacrifice.

"God of Soldier..."

Denis was trembling with fear at Wood's response, but before he could finish his thought, Wood cut him off: "My mind is made up!"

"Ah!"

Denis exhaled a resigned sigh, his mind racing with ways to keep this under wraps. The very notion of a military chieftain as a son-in-law was beyond belief!

"No, I won't allow it!"

Hassie, overhearing the conversation, leaped to her feet and vehemently opposed the idea, glaring at Tella with fiery indignation.

"Tella, have you lost your mind? Taking in a pauper as a son-in-law, as if our family's reputation isn't tarnished enough?"

"A child out of wedlock, and now you're bringing in some random man? Are you trying to infuriate me to death?"

...

Hassie's biting and shrill voice was the only sound reverberating through the hall.

She had always seen Tella as her ticket to greater social standing. Tella's unexpected pregnancy five years ago had thrown a wrench in her plans and brought shame upon her. And now, the prospect of welcoming some unknown man into their home was out of the question!

"Mom, could you speak without being so offensive?"

"Offensive? If you're offended by my words, then stop doing things that bring shame upon us! Are my words any harsher than what strangers might say?"

Tella's retort infuriated Hassie, unleashing years of pent-up rage.

"Tella, if you dare to bring him into our home today, then you are no longer my daughter. We're through!"

With that, Hassie launched into a tirade about her hard life, impressing Wood with her resolve not to backtrack.

"Enough crying! It's unseemly to weep and wail when we have an esteemed guest at the door!"

As Hassie was dramatically weeping, Burrell strode in, his gaze quickly shifting from her tear-streaked face to a scowl as he loudly chastised her. Turning to Tella with impatience etched on his face, he commanded, "Hurry up and get ready. You're coming with me to meet Mr. Cooper."

"You're incredibly fortunate—must be the good karma from several lifetimes. Imagine, Mr. Cooper has taken the trouble to come and see you. This is your chance, and it's a chance for the Griffiths family too. Make sure you seize it and show Mr. Cooper the utmost hospitality."

"If you fail to impress, you'll answer to me!"

Burrell's voice turned icy. This was a pivotal moment for the Griffiths family. He was willing to do anything to secure Larkin's support, even if it meant having Tella primed and waiting in the room for him.

"Brother, does this mean Mr. Cooper is interested in Tella?"

Upon hearing this, Hassie's sobs ceased, and she perked up, eagerly approaching Tella with advice, "Tella, you must grasp this chance. Being noticed by Mr. Cooper is a stroke of luck. Let's head upstairs. I'll redo your makeup and pass on some tips on how to charm a man."

"Mom, what are you saying?"

Tella's face flushed with shame as she protested, "Uncle, I'm already married. It wouldn't be proper for me to receive him."

"Married?"

Burrell's eyes bulged in disbelief. "That farce of a son-in-law selection doesn't count. You're not married yet!"

"Mr. Cooper is gracious enough to overlook your status as a 'second-hand' item with a child. It's an enormous favor. Don't snub the offer, or you'll regret it."

Second-hand?

Wood's eyes narrowed dangerously, while Denis shook his head, thinking to himself, "Young man, your path is getting narrower by the minute."

"Uncle, the fact is, I am married. That's something you can't change," Tella said evenly.

"And who did you marry?"

"Me!"

Wood stepped forward, confronting Burrell.

"You?"

Burrell, still unnerved by Wood's previous show of strength, involuntarily stepped back and blustered, "You think just because you've got a strong punch you can swagger around the Griffiths' house?"

"Let me tell you, we're dealing with the King of Brialedo here. Crushing you would be no harder than squashing an ant!"

"Be smart and get out now. The Griffiths family might just look the other way and forget all about this."

Wood was completely unfazed by Burrell's threats, his expression calm: "Qingya is my wife now. She won't be forced into anything against her will."

"Fine, you little upstart. You'll regret this!"

With a look of seething anger, Burrell glared at Wood and spat out his harsh words before storming off, vowing to make the brash young man pay dearly.

Outside the Liu family's villa!

"Mr. Cooper, your visit is a great honor for the Griffiths family. Please, come inside."

The elderly matriarch of the Griffiths family, leaning on her dragon-headed cane, greeted Larkin with a face as radiant as a chrysanthemum in full bloom.

"Madam, you flatter me. As fellow Brialedo enterprises, it's only right that we support one another."

Larkin smiled warmly, the picture of sophistication, while inwardly hoping his actions would meet with approval from a certain individual.

The Griffiths family members, catching wind of the conversation, beamed with joy. Larkin's outreach was a clear sign of good fortune on the horizon for their family.

"Thank you for the endorsement, Mr. Cooper. We've made all the necessary arrangements to ensure your complete satisfaction."

The matriarch fawned over Larkin, eager to impress.

"Excellent!"

Larkin nodded, contented by the simplicity of conversing with the wise; indeed, there's truth to the saying that with age comes cunning.

"Mother, we have a problem. Tella, that stubborn girl, has refused and is adamant about marrying that boy!"

Suddenly, Burrell came running out, whispering urgently into the old lady's ear, causing her face to sour.

"Madam, is there trouble?" Larkin asked.

"Mr. Cooper, to be frank, one of my granddaughter's admirers has resorted to brute force," the matriarch said, adopting the air of a victim.

"Understood. Allow me to take care of this minor issue."

"Your help is much appreciated. Right this way, please!"

The Griffiths family's spirits lifted at Larkin's intervention. Some of the more audacious members charged inside to confront Wood, surrounding him.

"Kid, you're done for. Now that Mr. Cooper is involved, your fate is sealed!"

"Kid, if you get down on your knees and beg now, we might consider pleading your case to Mr. Cooper."

...

The Griffiths family members hurled insults at Wood, each one more biting than the last.

Larkin's face went pale as he recognized the faces surrounding him, and he mentally berated the Griffiths family over and over.

Wasn't everything supposed to be set up? What kind of setup was this? It was bad enough to sabotage oneself, but to pull him into it as well?

Meeting Denis's smirk with a look of utter defeat, Larkin shoved his way through the crowd, hastened to Wood, and fell to his knees. "I have gravely erred, God of Soldier. I beg for your mercy!"