THE DISGUSTING SON-IN-LAW WON'T TOLERATE INSULT ANYMORE

You can't be serious

As they settled into their new seats on the second floor, Margaret's eyes gleamed with curiosity and greed.

"Did anyone hear what the manager said?" she whispered conspiratorially. 

"The mysterious VIP is throwing a celebration for some woman. A private party on the top floor!"

"Imagine being that lucky," Patricia sighed dreamily. 

"To have someone so powerful throwing you a party!"

"It must be someone incredibly important," Robert added. 

"Maybe a senator's daughter or a foreign dignitary?"

Sarah's eyes lit up with malicious glee as she spotted Elena sitting quietly in the corner.

 "Oh! Oh! I know who it must be!" She pointed dramatically at Elena, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's obviously for our dear cousin Elena! The mysterious billionaire must have fallen head over heels for our little embezzler!"

The table erupted in hysterical laughter.

"Elena and a billionaire?" Richard wheezed.

 "That's like saying a mange-ridden alley cat caught the attention of a prize-winning stallion!"

"More like a sewer rat thinking she could marry a peacock!" Margaret cackled.

"Maybe he has a fetish for women who steal from their own families!" Vincent added with a cruel smirk.

Elena's face burned with humiliation, but before she could respond, Karvel's calm voice cut through the mockery.

"Actually, you're right. The celebration is for Elena."

The laughter died instantly, then exploded even louder than before.

"OH MY GOD!" Sarah shrieked, clutching her sides.

 "He's actually doubling down on this delusion!"

"Someone needs to call a veterinarian!" Richard howled.

 "This rabid mutt has completely lost his mind!"

"What's next?" Patricia gasped between laughs.

 "Are you going to tell us you're actually a secret prince in disguise?"

Margaret wiped tears from her eyes.

 "This is the funniest thing I've heard all year! A homeless beggar claiming to know mysterious billionaires!"

Vincent suddenly straightened, a calculating look crossing his face.

 "You know what? This could actually work out perfectly."

All eyes turned to him.

"My father has extensive connections throughout the city," Vincent continued smoothly. 

"It's possible he knows this VIP personally. Elena, if you divorce this delusional fleabag and marry me instead, I might be able to arrange an introduction."

Margaret's eyes lit up like slot machines hitting jackpot.

 "Vincent! You brilliant boy! This is the opportunity of a lifetime!"

"Elena," Margaret's voice turned deadly serious.

 "I'm giving you one final choice. Divorce this pathetic street mongrel right now and marry Vincent, or I'm calling the police to arrest both of you for theft."

"Grandmother, you can't be serious—" Elena began.

"Dead serious!" Margaret slammed her hand on the table. 

"This mangy cur has dragged you down long enough! It's time to cut the leash!"

"Think about it logically, Elena," Richard chimed in.

 "You could go from being married to a feral alley cat to having connections with the most powerful people in the country!"

"It's like upgrading from a diseased rat to a thoroughbred horse!" Sarah added gleefully.

Elena looked around the table in horror. 

Her entire family was staring at her expectantly, their faces cold and calculating as vultures circling carrion.

They really would turn me in to save themselves, she realized with growing dread.

"I... I can't just—" Elena's voice cracked.

"Yes, you can!" Margaret's voice was ice-cold.

 "Choose now, or spend the next decade in prison with your worthless husband!"

"Don't worry," Karvel said quietly, his hand gently touching Elena's shoulder. "Everything will be fine."

Elena looked at him desperately.

 How can he be so calm? Doesn't he understand we're about to be arrested?

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the restaurant's sound system.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to announce the arrival of Mr. Sebastian Morrison, owner of the Morrison Hotel Chain and Morrison Industries!"

The entire room fell silent as if someone had sucked all the air out of it.

Margaret's fork clattered to her plate.

 "Sebastian... Morrison?"

"The Sebastian Morrison?" Patricia whispered. 

"The one who's been featured on the cover of Forbes three times?"

"The same Sebastian Morrison who had dinner with the President last month?" Robert's voice was barely audible.

Vincent's face had gone completely pale. 

My father's been trying to get a meeting with Morrison for five years.

The grand doors of the banquet hall swung open, and Sebastian Morrison entered with the presence of a king. 

Tall, distinguished, with silver hair and a perfectly tailored suit, he commanded attention without saying a word.

Margaret practically leaped from her chair, smoothing her dress frantically. 

"Mr. Morrison! What an incredible honor! You must be here to celebrate my birthday! How wonderful that Vincent's connections—"

Sebastian Morrison walked past her as if she were invisible furniture.

Vincent stepped forward eagerly.

 "Mr. Morrison, sir! I'm Vincent Langford. My father has been hoping to discuss business opportunities with you—"

Morrison didn't even glance in his direction.

The entire room watched in stunned amazement as the most powerful man in the city walked directly toward the corner table where Karvel and Elena sat.

Sebastian Morrison stopped in front of them and bowed deeply.

"Sir," he said with profound respect, "I sincerely apologize for the delay. Please do me the honor by allowing me to escort you to the top floor?"

You could have heard a pin drop in the deathly silence that followed.