THE DRAGON SON IN LAW RETURNS

Chapter 7- Gala presentation

The Presidential Gala was the event of the year—a gathering of the nation's most powerful and influential people. Presidents, prime ministers, military leaders, business tycoons, and celebrities all received invitations.

Being invited was a mark of prestige; being honored at the gala was legendary.

At the Harrison mansion, the family was in chaos preparing for the event.

"Mother, does this dress make me look fat?" Sophia asked, modeling her fifth gown of the evening.

"Darling, you look perfect," Margaret assured her, though her attention was on her own reflection. "Remember, tonight is crucial. The President himself will be there. If we play our cards right, Harrison Industries could secure government contracts worth billions."

Marcus appeared in the doorway, impossibly handsome in his custom tuxedo. "Ladies, you both look stunning. The car will be here in an hour."

"I still can't believe we're actually going," Derek said, adjusting his bow tie for the tenth time. "The Presidential Gala! Do you know how many years Father tried to get an invitation?"

Richard beamed with pride. "And now we're not just attendees—we're guests of honor! Marcus, we can't thank you enough for securing our invitations."

"It's nothing," Marcus said smoothly. "Wellington Corporation has... connections. Besides, Sophia deserves to be seen in the right circles. Not dragged down by dead weight."

Everyone laughed, though the "dead weight" reference to Ethan was clear.

"I heard he's still in that homeless shelter," Jonathan, the youngest Harrison son, added. "Can you imagine? From living in this mansion to sleeping on a cot with bums. Karma is beautiful."

"He brought it on himself," Sophia said, though there was something uncertain in her voice. "He could have signed the debt forgiveness papers. Instead, he's being stubborn and stupid."

"Forget about him," Marcus said, pulling Sophia close. "Tonight is about our future. And speaking of which..." He pulled out a small velvet box.

Sophia's breath caught. "Marcus, is that—"

"Not an engagement ring," he said with a teasing smile. "Not yet. But a promise ring. A symbol of what's coming."

He opened the box to reveal a massive diamond ring—easily five carats, worth a fortune. The Harrison family collectively gasped.

Margaret actually clutched her chest. "Oh my God. Sophia, you lucky girl!"

As Marcus slipped the ring on Sophia's finger, the family erupted in congratulations and celebration. Wine was poured, toasts were made.

Not one of them thought about the man they'd cast aside.

Not one of them suspected that tonight would change everything.

Meanwhile, in a luxury suite at the Grand Hotel, Ethan Cole was preparing for the same gala.

But his preparation looked very different.

The Five Dragon Guards stood at attention as tailors made final adjustments to Ethan's dress military uniform.

Not the standard uniform—this was the Supreme Commander's ceremonial attire, worn only by the highest-ranking military leader in the nation.

The jacket was black with gold threading, decorated with medals that represented campaigns most people didn't know existed. Wars fought , threats eliminated before they reached the public consciousness.

Jet Liu approached with a wooden box. Inside lay the Star of Valor—the nation's highest military honor. Only twelve had ever been awarded in the country's history.

Tonight, Ethan would receive the thirteenth.

"Commander, the President's security detail has confirmed your arrival time," Lin Yue reported. "You're scheduled to enter exactly at 8:47 PM. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 PM."

"The Harrisons?"

"Scheduled to arrive at 8:30 PM. They'll be seated in section B—close enough to see everything, but not close enough to be part of the VIP circle. Marcus Wellington used his connections to get them in, but they're still considered minor attendees."

"Perfect." Ethan looked at his reflection—a man transformed. Gone was the meek, humiliated son-in-law. In his place stood a warrior, a leader and a legend.

"Shadow Two, what's the status on Wellington's criminal activities?"

Mountain stepped forward with a tablet. "We have everything, Commander. Tax evasion, bribery, fraud, insider trading, connections to organized crime. Enough to put him away for thirty years. We've compiled it all into a dossier for the Attorney General."

"And the Harrison Industries takeover scheme?"

"Proceeding exactly as we predicted. The loan documents Wellington had them sign contain hidden clauses. In approximately six days, Wellington will trigger those clauses and seize control of Harrison Industries. The family will be left with nothing."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "How much will they lose?"

"Everything. The company, the mansion, and their savings. Marcus Wellington is thorough—he's planning to leave them bankrupt and publicly humiliated. He wants to destroy them completely before discarding Sophia and returning to his real fiancée in New York."

"When were they planning to announce his actual engagement?"

"Next month. To Senator Morrison's daughter. It's already been arranged. Sophia Harrison is just a temporary plaything—a tool to destroy her family and massage Wellington's ego."

For a moment, Ethan felt something that might have been pity. Sophia was vain, shallow, and cruel. But she was also being used by someone far more dangerous than she realized.

Then he remembered three years of humiliation which made the pity disappeared.

"Let Wellington make his move," Ethan ordered. "But after tonight, I want every piece of evidence delivered to the appropriate authorities. He'll pay for what he's done—not just to me, but to everyone he's hurt."

"Yes, Commander."

The tailor stepped back. "You're ready, sir."

Ethan looked at himself one final time. The transformation was complete.

"Gentlemen," Ethan said to his guards. "It's time to remind the world who I really am."

They saluted in perfect unison. "Yes, Supreme Commander!"