Rise of the Rejected Son-in-Law

Chapter 1: Unexpected

Lick up the wine you spilled on the floor you are worthless. I will make sure your wife's company is destroyed by morning.

The voice was loud and clear in the banquet hall. It stopped the music and made all the important guests quiet.

Eric stood over Daniel holding a glass. The expensive red wine was dripping from Daniel's suit jacket onto the clean white floor of the Oakport Grand Hotel.

Eric was sneering at Daniel. He was a boy who could buy anything he wanted.. Right now he wanted to hurt the man kneeling in front of him.

Daniel was still on the floor. His fingers were white as he held some napkins slowly cleaning the wine from Eric's shoes.

Did you hear me Daniel asked Eric. You told me to lick the wine. You said I have to drink it because I spilled it. That is what you think I am.

The people around them started laughing. The city's important people were pointing at Daniel looking at him with disgust.

Look at him someone said. He has been married to the Vance family for three years. He still looks poor.

I heard he does the laundry for them another person said. A grown man doing chores like a servant. It is sad. Elena Vance deserves better.

Daniel did not move his hand from under Eric's shoe. He did not shout. He did not even look up. His face was like stone.

Under his shirt, a cheap watch was ticking away on his wrist.

It was 11:45 PM.

Daniel had fifteen minutes left.

Fifteen minutes until he could do what he wanted. Fifteen minutes until he was free. He just had to wait a little

Eric was grinding his heel into Daniel's hand. Are you deaf Daniel or are you stupid Eric asked. I am telling you what to do.

Eric stop it Elena said. You are making a scene.

The people around them moved aside as Elena walked forward. She was wearing a dress but her face was pale and tired.

She looked at her husband on the floor. Her eyes showed complicated feelings. It was not love. It was not hate either. It was pity.. To Daniel, the pity hurt more than the wine.

Eric pulled his foot back. His mean smile changed into a charming one as he looked at Elena. I am not making a scene Elena Eric said. I am teaching your husband some manners. He bumped into me. He ruined my suit. He needs to learn his place.

He is my husband, Eric Elena said. Just let it go. We will pay for the cleaning.

Pay for it Eric said, laughing loudly. With what money, Elena Eric asked. Your family's company is in trouble. You owe five million dollars. You cannot even pay your workers.

Elena looked hurt. The words were like blows. The people around them started talking whispering about the Vance family's problems.

That is right Eric, a loud voice said.

Sylvia, Elena's mother walked forward. She was wearing a lot of jewelry and her face was red with anger as she looked at Daniel. She did not look angry at Eric. She looked like she wanted something from him.

Sylvia pointed at Daniel's face. Look at him Elena, Sylvia said. He is useless. For three years we have given him food and a place to live.. What has he done Sylvia asked. Nothing. He cannot even walk across a room without embarrassing us. He bumped into Eric on purpose because he is jealous.

Mom, please stop Elena said, looking around at the people staring at them. Not here, not tonight.

Why not here Sylvia asked, stepping forward and kicking Daniel in the ribs.

Daniel took the kick without saying anything moving his weight to absorb the blow. His eyes went to his watch.

It was 11:48 PM.

Daniel had twelve minutes left.

I will tell everyone Sylvia said, almost shouting. My husband made a mistake when he made you marry this man before he died. He thought this man had potential.. He was wrong. This man is worthless.. Now our company is failing because of him.

Sylvia turned to Eric and her face changed into a smile. Eric, please forgive this man Sylvia said. You know Elena does not want to be with him. You know she deserves a man, a man with power and money. A man like you.

Eric smiled, taking Elena's hand. She tried to pull but Sylvia gave her a mean look making her stop.

I know, Sylvia said, touching Elena's hand. I have always known. Elena is special. She deserves the best.. She is stuck with this man.

Eric snapped his fingers and a big man in a suit stepped forward. He was carrying a briefcase.

The man opened the briefcase. Pulled out some papers giving them to Eric.

Eric threw the papers on the table next to Daniel. The sound made some people jump.

These are divorce papers Eric said loudly. I had my lawyers make them this morning.

Elena looked at the papers. Her breathing stopped. Eric what is this Elena asked.

This is your chance to be free Elena. Eric said, his voice low and mean. I own your family's debt. I bought it yesterday. I can destroy your family with one phone call. I can take everything away from you.. If you sign these papers if you divorce this man and marry me I will give you everything. I will wipe away the debt. I will give your family ten million dollars.

The whole room was quiet waiting to see what would happen.

Sylvia grabbed a pen. Pushed it into Elena's hand. Sign it Sylvia said, crying. Sign it now. Are you trying to hurt me Elena asked. Are you trying to destroy our family? Get rid of him. He is nothing.

Elena stood still the pen shaking in her hand. She looked at the papers and at Daniel, who was still on the floor.

Daniel looked up at her. His eyes were dark and deep. For three years he had been treated badly insulted and beaten.. He had done it all because of a promise.

He had promised the man of the Vance family that he would survive for three years at the bottom of society without using his real name. He had to learn how to fight how to be strong. If he broke the rule if he told anyone who he really was before midnight he would lose everything.

Daniel looked at his watch.

It was 11:53 PM.

Daniel had seven minutes left.

Elena Daniel said, his voice calm. Calm. Do not sign the papers.

Eric laughed, kicking Daniel in the shoulder. Shut up Eric said. Nobody told you to talk. Do you think Elena wants to be with you? Eric asked. Look at yourself. You are poor. You cannot give her anything. You are nothing.

Sylvia grabbed Elena's arm, her nails digging into her skin. Do not listen to him Elena, Sylvia said. He is trying to hurt us. Sign the papers, Elena. It is a signature. Eric is offering us everything.

Elena looked at Eric. His eyes were filled with a desire, a hunger that made her feel sick. She knew what Eric was like. She knew what people said about him in the city. He hurt women. He destroyed companies for fun. He was a person who wore expensive clothes.. She looked at her mother, who was breathing really fast and thought about the hundreds of people who would lose their jobs tomorrow if Eric made a phone call.

I am sorry Daniel, Elena said quietly a tear falling from her eye. I have to protect my family. I do not have a choice.

She moved the pen towards the paper.

Daniel felt a pain in his chest. He was not angry with Elena. He was very angry with Eric. Elena was trapped. She was doing what she had to do to survive.. Eric was playing a game.

Eric leaned down his face close to Daniel's, his breath smelling of cigars and wine. You see that loser? I am taking your wife.. After I am done with her I will have my men break your legs and throw you into the river. You do not belong in our world.

It was 11:56 PM. Four minutes.

Daniel's muscles got tight. He could easily hurt Eric now. He had fought in rings when he was a teenager just to eat. He could break Eric's neck before the bodyguards even moved.. That would cost him the power he needed to really hurt the people who had abandoned him when he was a child. He had to wait. A few more minutes.

Eric, who was getting impatient with Elena's movement grabbed her violently by the waist pulling her close to his chest. Hurry up and sign it he said. Let the trash take himself out. We have a room waiting for us.

Let go of me Elena said, trying to get from his grip. The sudden physical attack caught her off guard. The heavy pen fell from her fingers. Hit the marble floor.

Eric's eyes got darker. He held her waist tighter his fingers digging into her ribs. I just bought your family, Elena. You do not tell me to let go. You belong to me now. Pick up the pen. Sign the papers.

Daniel's eyes looked up.

He was not holding back anymore. The calm mask was gone. A scary feeling came from the man making the room feel colder.

It was 11:58 PM. Two minutes. It did not matter anymore. If he had to lose everything to stop Eric from touching his wife he would destroy everything.

Take your hands off her Daniel said.

His voice was like a whip. It was not a request. It was an order.

Eric froze for a moment reacting to the authority in Daniel's voice before his pride took over again. He looked at Daniel. Sneered. What did you just say to me you piece of garbage?

I said, take your hands off my wife Daniel said.

Daniel stood up.

He moved slowly deliberately brushing the glass off his knees. As he stood up straight the poor posture he had been carrying for three years was gone. His shoulders were back. His back was straight. The cheap suit did not look cheap anymore; it looked like armor holding back a person.

Sylvia moved back her mouth open. She had never seen Daniel look like this. He had always taken her beatings without fighting back. Now his eyes were black without fear looking at Eric like he was a man.

You are dead Eric said, letting go of Elena and taking a step towards Daniel. You are completely dead. Guards, break his arms. Throw him out into the street.

Three big bodyguards in suits moved forward taking out steel batons from their belts.

Daniel did not move. He did not raise his fists. He just looked at Eric with a pitying look.

The watch on his wrist beeped.

It was 12:00 AM.

Before the first bodyguard could even swing his baton a loud sound shook the hotel.

The big doors of the banquet hall were kicked open the brass handles breaking against the wall. The sound was so loud that Eric's bodyguards stopped moving spinning around in fear.

The crowd screamed, running away like mice as a group of men poured into the room.

These were not hotel security. These were trained operatives dressed in black suits armed with rifles their faces hidden behind dark glasses. Dozens of them filled the hall in seconds moving with precision. They formed a line trapping the city's rich people, politicians and socialites inside the room.

Eric's bodyguards dropped their batons. Raised their hands in surrender, scared by the show of force.

What is the meaning of this Eric shouted, trying to sound brave though his voice was shaking with fear. Do you know who I am? I am Eric Vance. My family owns half this city. I will have all of you arrested.

Nobody answered him. The operatives stood in silence staring ahead like statues.

From the center of the group, an old man walked forward.

He was dressed in an old-fashioned suit that cost more than the whole hotel. His silver hair was slicked back. He carried a silver-headed cane. Despite his age, he stood up straight. The power coming from him made the room feel small.

Sylvia gasped, holding her chest. That is Arthur Sterling, the leader of the Kensington Dynasty. What is he doing here? The Kensingtons do not even care about Oakport City.

Eric's pride was gone. The Kensington Dynasty controlled global banks, governments and military groups. His family's wealth was nothing compared to the trillion-dollar empire Arthur represented.

Eric quickly put his hands in his pockets trying to look respectable and forced a fake smile onto his face as he stepped forward to meet the old man.

Mr. Sterling Eric said, bowing deeply. It is an honor to have you in Oakport City. I am Eric. My family has been trying to meet with your executives for years. If I had known you were coming to this banquet I would have cleared the floor for you.

Arthur Sterling did not stop walking. He did not even look at Eric.

As Arthur passed him one of the operatives stepped forward. Hit Eric across the face. The hit was so fast and strong that Eric spun in the air before crashing into a table of champagne glasses sending glass shattering everywhere.

Eric hit the floor spitting blood and teeth completely shocked.

Sylvia screamed. Elena covered her mouth in terror. The crowd moved back flattening themselves against the walls.

Arthur Sterling kept walking his cane tapping against the marble floor. He walked past the glass. He walked past the people. He walked past Elena.

He stopped in front of Daniel.

The old man, a leader of the global economy a man who could destroy countries with a phone call slowly planted his cane on the floor.

Then Arthur Sterling got down on one knee.

Behind him, every single operative in the room got down on one knee in synchronization.

The silence, in the hall was complete. It was a silence that made the guests feel like they were going crazy.

Arthur bowed his head deeply his voice echoing through the room with respect.

The three years are over Young Master. The lock is lifted. The Kensington empire is waiting for your orders.

Daniel stood in his wine-stained suit looking down at the kneeling billionaire. He did not look surprised. He did not look relieved. He slowly reached into his pocket pulled out the watch unclasped it and let it drop to the floor breaking the screen beneath his shoe.

Daniel slowly turned his head his dark eyes locking onto Eric, who was staring up from the floor in horror.

Burn his company to the ground Daniel said quietly.. Break his legs.