Trash Son-in-law Returns as the Almighty Marshal

CHAPTER 10

Katie gasped as her champagne glass slipped from her trembling hand and crashed to the floor. She blinked several times and rubbed her eyes to ensure she wasn’t hallucinating.

Frederick became as stiff as a board, while Belinda and Jarod’s faces paled like they had just seen a ghost.

“…Tyler?” Katie finally whispered, and the moment she mentioned the name, it spread like wildfire among the guests.

“Did Katie just call that man, Tyler? Isn’t that the name of her delivery man ex-husband who disappeared years ago?” Someone whispered.

“Impossible. I thought he was dead?” Another person chimed in.

The murmurs which grew louder by the second, seemed to snap Frederick out of his shocked state.

He stepped forward toward Tyler, directly shielding his sight from Katie, and eyed him with deep resentment.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Tyler’s smirk widened, though his eyes remained cold. “What? Is it a crime to see how you all are doing? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Frederick's jaw ticked in anger. He wanted nothing more than to punch the smirk off Tyler’s face at that moment, but with his guests watching, he didn’t want to lose control, so he held himself back.

Belinda, however, couldn't care less about causing a scene as she stormed forward with literal lasers shooting from her eyes.

“You shameless bastard!” she screeched in a voice so shrill it could break glass. “How dare you crawl out of whatever sewer you’ve been rotting in and show your face here?!”

Jarod, emboldened by his mother’s outburst, also stepped forward and jabbed a finger at Tyler’s chest.

“Get lost, you piece of trash! This isn’t a charity event for beggars. No one wants to see your disgusting face here!”

Tyler didn’t waver at their blazing glares and biting words, he simply yanked Jarod’s fingers away from his chest and bent it back until Jarod yelped in pain.

“This should be the last time you touch me,” he spat coldly before releasing the finger with a force that made Jarod stumble backward into a table.

Gasps echoed from the guests, but Tyler couldn’t be half assed as he shifted his gaze to Belinda.

“I see your unreasonable attitude hasn’t changed one bit,” he narrowed his eyes in displeasure. “I’ll advise you to stop barking at me like a rabid dog. I’m no longer that gullible guy you knew from four years ago.”

Belinda’s fury multiplied and without hesitation, her palm shot out to connect with Tyler’s face, but he caught her wrist mid-air and flung it back to her side.

“What I said to Jarod applies to you too,” he warned. “Don’t ever try to hit me again, or you’ll regret it.”

Belinda’s mouth shot open to retort, but immediately closed when Tyler’s icy gaze bore into her.

She suddenly felt a chill of unease run down her spine as it became clear that something about Tyler had changed.

Katie stepped out from behind Frederick and studied Tyler from head to toe with furrowed brows, noting how much more muscular and rugged he had become.

But her surprise quickly morphed into irritation as she remembered his presence was ruining the atmosphere.

“Tyler, don’t tell me you’ve still not gotten over me after all these years? You’re so obsessed with me that you crashed my engagement party! Isn’t that too pathetic?!”

Tyler stared at her for a moment without saying a word. Her hair, voice and face felt so familiar to him, but one thing had changed.

He no longer harbored any feelings for her. There was no warmth in his heart now, only resentment.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Katherine. I have no feelings for you anymore, ” he spoke with no emotion in his tone as he placed his hands in his pockets. “I just came to show the people who tried to get rid of me that I’m alive. You all thought I wouldn’t survive, right?”

The guests instantly picked up on Tyler’s words and whispered to each other in curiosity and confusion.

“Get rid of him? What does he mean?”

Frederick, noticing the murmurs and inquisitive gazes that had begun to stir up within the crowd, quickly conjured a distraction.

“What trash are you spewing now, you idiot?” He lunged forward and shoved Tyler in the chest. “You must be suffering from memory loss! You were thrown into prison for being a petty thief and now you think you can blame us for your actions?!”

“I told you he’s shameless!” Belinda immediately jumped in as she caught up with what Frederick was trying to do. “He’s nothing but a dirty thief trying to play the victim.”

“What a big disgrace!” Jarrod added to further chastise Tyler. “You’re nothing but a gutter rat.

“Tyler, I’m really disappointed in you,” Katie shook her head in distaste. “I’m so ashamed I ever called you my husband. What was I thinking?”

“This is why I kept begging you to leave him,” Belinda interjected. “Now see how much our lives have improved with Frederick.”

Frederick puffed out his chest and wrapped his arm around Katie’s waist, pulling her to him. “Darling, aren’t you glad you dumped this loser and chose me?”

Katie giggled and flirtatiously trailed a finger down his lapel.

“Of course I am,” she answered, and placed a peck on his cheek while her eyes lingered on Tyler. “It’s the best decision I ever made. You’ve given me what my pathetic ex-husband couldn’t. He doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as you.”

Fredrick grinned triumphantly and turned to Tyler.

“See loser? Everyone knows it. You are and will always be beneath me. I’m meant to teach you a lesson for daring to ruin my engagement party, but I’ll let it slide because I’m in a good mood.”

He then reached into his pocket for his wallet, and pulled out a couple of hundred dollar bills.

“I’m feeling generous today,” he bragged and flung the money at Tyler. “Take this money and crawl back to whatever hole you came from. Don’t embarrass yourself further.”

Tyler’s jaw clenched as the currency notes fluttered to the floor. He was instantly reminded of a similar situation that happened four years ago when Frederick had offered him a cheque to divorce Katie.

This fueled his annoyance even more and he stepped on the dollar notes as he closed the space between him and Frederick until they were toe to toe.

“You can’t intimidate me with your little money anymore,” he said flatly. “If I wanted, I could end this little engagement party of yours and throw all of you out of here.”

Frederick gulped as Tyler’s towering form suddenly intimidated him, but it only lasted a second before his arrogance returned.

“What new joke is this?” He scoffed. “It seems you’ve finally lost it because you’ve been spouting some ridiculous shit since you got here! I bought out this entire hotel for today with an amount of money you can’t even dream of in your lifetime, and you think you can throw me out?”

“He’s delusional!” A guest mocked.

“What a complete twat!” Another added. “This bumpkin must be high to think such nonsense!

Belinda seized the moment to add her own gasoline to the fire. “You’ve already wasted what’s left of your dignity as a man, Tyler! Just pack up the money Frederick so generously gave you and leave here. Never come back!”

“Tyler, don’t be an ingrate,” Katie chipped in as well. “You can’t be poor and still be proud. This money could at least get you some cheap clothes, a meal and a decent place to stay. Take it while we’re still being kind.”

Tyler’s expression remained blank as he ignored their words and brought out his phone.

“If you’re so sure I can’t throw you out, then wait and see what happens. In five minutes, we’ll know if I’m delusional or not.”

Frederick folded his arms mockingly. “Is that so? Alright then, clown. Show me what you’ve got.”

“Sure,” Tyler smirked and instantly tapped on Wendy’s contact.

“Hello, sir,” Wendy politely replied as the line connected on the first ring. “Is there anything you need?”

“Do you know who owns Silverlily Hotel?” He went straight to the point, his gaze never leaving Frederick.

“Yes I do, sir,” Wendy answered swiftly. “It’s owned by one of our minor partners.”

“Good,” Tyler’s smirk widened. “I want you to acquire the property within the next five minutes. Let me know when it’s done.”

Wendy hesitated a bit before responding. “Alright, sir. I’ll get to it right away.”

The moment the phone call ended, Frederick began clapping slowly.

“Bravo. What a performance,” he chuckled sarcastically. “Have you ever considered acting? You almost had me convinced.”

Katie giggled as she playfully slapped Frederick’s arm. “Come on, babe. No producer in his right mind will hire him for a role.”

“What a fool.” Belinda scoffed and turned to Frederick. “Frederick, I think it’s time we end this debauchery and throw this waste of space out of here.”

“I agree, brother in law,” Jarrod chimed in. “His peak fooling has become too cringe to bear.”

“Throw him out already!” The guests collectively demanded, and this boosted Frederick’s ego.

He brought out his phone and placed a call. “Hello, I need you guys here in two minutes! There’s,” he paused and gave Tyler a contemptuous once over. “a piece of trash that has to be taken care of.”

As soon as he dropped the call, he pointed to Tyler. “You’ll be sorry for trying to ruin my engagement today.”

Tyler rolled his eyes with an unfazed expression on his face. “You’re the one who’ll be sorry. My phone should be ringing with good news in 3…2…1”

And just as he said 1, his phone rang.