The Military Son-in-Law Who Owned Tomorrow

Dossier 6 - Daella

“You poor nuisance. Would you quit making noise and get on your knees to apologize for ruining Lady Cressida’s banquet?”

Reese D’Aubery spoke with a filthy smirk, one arm wrapped possessively around Alyssa’s waist.

Adrian’s gaze slowly shifted toward him.

For a moment, his eyes settled on Reese’s hand resting against the woman he had once called his wife.

Then he looked into Reese’s face.

“The very man you assaulted years ago is standing before you now,” Lady Cressida said, mistaking Adrian’s silence for fear. “Do you see what he brought as my birthday present? Something you couldn’t afford even if you sold every organ in your body.”

She gestured proudly toward the antique gift.

“That is what a worthy first son-in-law looks like.”

Adrian said nothing.

His heart was already shattered by the news of his mother, but he couldn’t yet believe it. His sister was somewhere out there, and nobody seemed willing to tell him where she was.

Yet instead of answering him, they were casually discussing Alyssa’s future marriage as though he wasn’t standing in the room.

Then Alyssa’s parents stepped forward.

Dr. Rowland Auremont held his wife’s hand as they approached.

“You sewer rat of a son-in-law,” Rowland said coldly. “I’m giving you one final opportunity.”

He pointed toward Jorah, who was still clutching his injured shoulder.

“Kneel before my son and apologize for assaulting him. Do that, and perhaps you’ll be allowed to see your whore of a sister.”

Lisa Auremont smiled coldly beside him.

“Your husband is being generous,” she said. “This animal has destroyed our daughter’s life emotionally and assaulted our son. He should be arrested again, this time without parole, without military intervention and without another Operation Black Mercy.”

Adrian stared at them. Every face around him seemed colder than the last. Not one person cared that his mother was dead.

Not one person cared that his sixteen-year-old sister had disappeared.

Not even Alyssa. His jaw tightened. Then he moved. Three strides was all it took. Adrian crossed the room and seized Jorah by the collar before the injured man could react.

“Wait—” Adrian hurled him to the floor. Jorah’s back slammed against the marble.

Before he could recover, Adrian’s hand closed around his throat and lifted his upper body from the ground.

Jorah’s face immediately began turning red.

His hands clawed desperately at Adrian’s forearm, but the military-trained man barely seemed to notice.

The entire banquet hall fell silent. Dr. Rowland’s face was drained of color.

Lady Cressida’s eyes widened. Everyone was watching the Auremont family’s male heir struggle helplessly in Adrian’s grip.

Adrian leaned closer. His voice was low, trembling with restrained fury. 

“Where is my sister?” Jorah struggled for breath.

“I… I…” Adrian tightened his grip. “Wrong answer.” Jorah’s face turned purple. 

“Okay! Okay!” He desperately slapped Adrian’s arm. “I’ll tell you!” Adrian loosened his grip just enough for him to speak.

Jorah gasped violently. “Me and Alyssa… we gave her away.” Adrian’s eyes became terrifyingly still.

“To whom?” Jorah swallowed.

“The executive director of Vantrelis Civil & Architectural Group…” He coughed. “Mr. Roger Ale.” The name meant nothing to Adrian. Jorah continued desperately.

“He owns the Vantrelis Grand Clubhouse in Crownvale’s Meridian Industrial District. That’s where we sent her.” Adrian’s expression darkened.

“You sent my sixteen-year-old sister to him?” Jorah’s eyes darted toward Alyssa. “Alyssa agreed to it too!”

The room seemed to stop breathing. Adrian stared at Alyssa. She looked away. That was enough. A surge of rage passed through him. He flung Jorah across the room.

Jorah crashed into a glass table, sending crystal and shattered glass across the marble floor.

“JORAH!” Lisa screamed. But Adrian was already turning toward the exit.

“Wait!” Lisa pointed at him with a trembling hand.

“You wretched animal! Even if you go there, you won’t make it inside!” Adrian stopped. Lisa’s face twisted into a cruel smile.

“The Vantrelis Grand Clubhouse isn’t some ordinary hotel you can simply walk into.” She laughed bitterly.

“It is one of the most heavily protected private establishments in Crownvale. The people who own that place don’t tolerate intruders.”

Her eyes narrowed. “charging in there alone would be like a dog walking into a lion’s den.” She paused. “You’d end up dead before you ever found your sister.”

Adrian walked out of the hall, and right there the taxi driver’s car was already ignited  and the door opened and ready for Adrian. 

“To the Vantrelis Grand Clubhouse.”