Grand Return of Alexander Fitzgerald : The Great Son-In-Law

Chapter 7

The next day arrived, and it was time for the family banquet to celebrate Isabella's grandmother's birthday. Alexander sat behind the wheel, driving the car with a sense of acceptance. Eleanor, his mother-in-law, took the opportunity to share her expectations with him once more, her tone patronizing and judgmental. Eleanor had always held a sense of superiority over Alexander, viewing him as a humble, good-for-nothing man who had entered their noble family to be fed and taken care of by her daughter. As they made their way to the event, she made it clear that she expected him not to bring shame upon their family. "Alexander, please make an effort not to embarrass us at the banquet. We can't afford any mishaps that might make us look bad in front of our peers," she remarked, her voice filled with condescension.

Alexander clenched the steering wheel, choosing to remain silent in response. He had grown accustomed to Eleanor's disdainful attitude, but today felt different. He had decided that this would likely be the last family event he would attend before agreeing to the divorce. The weight of that decision hung heavily over him. Eleanor and Sebastian found a moment to discuss the magnificence of the upcoming party while they were both seated at the back with Isabella who paid no attention to them. Eleanor said with a hint of excitement in her voice as she turned to her son, "Sebastian, this banquet is going to be absolutely splendid. Your grandmother's birthday is a significant event, and we must ensure to be on our best behavior."

Sebastian, who shared his mother's enthusiasm for the splendor of the event, nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right, Mother." Eleanor's eyes sparkled as she continued, "I've heard that many distinguished guests will be attending. It's the perfect opportunity for Isabella to make some connections. Who knows, she might even catch the eye of a potential suitor." Isabella, who was sitting beside her mother and brother, overheard her mother's words but paid little attention. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her relationship with Alexander and her lost cooperation with Ruben. Sebastian, who had always been focused on their family's social standing, chimed in, "Indeed, Mother. Isabella's beauty and charm are sure to attract some eligible young men. It's high time she found a more suitable match."

Isabella, though aware of the conversation, remained cold. She had grown accustomed to her family's constant attempts to arrange her marriage, but her heart was mostly focused on the company her dear grandpa had left for her. Eleanor, who was observing her daughter's indifference, smiled knowingly and teased, "Isabella, don't be so distant. You might find someone who can truly appreciate your qualities at the banquet. Love often comes when you least expect it." Isabella gave a polite nod even though her thoughts were far from the prospect of finding a suitor at the party. Her mind was clouded by the tension between her and Alexander, making it difficult to focus on the idea of romance. As they arrived at the grand manor where the banquet was to take place, Alexander's thoughts turned to Isabella's grandfather, Pa Tony.

Arriving at the grand mansion, Alexander couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with sadness. The banquet was about to begin, and he knew it would likely be the last time he would participate in a family activity. As he stepped out of the car and entered the opulent venue, the weight of the impending divorce decision loomed over him. The divide between him and his wife's family seemed insurmountable, and he wondered how he would navigate the complexities of the evening.

Alexander held a deep respect for Isabella's grandfather, he had been a source of kindness and support during some of the most challenging times in Alexander's life. But after the grandfather's passing, the atmosphere in the mansion, where the banquet was held, began to change dramatically. The grand mansion, once a place of warmth and fond memories, was now filled with conspiracies and power struggles. Isabella, Sebastian, Eleanor, and Alexander found themselves caught in a web of family politics and schemes. Isabella's uncle, Julius, and her grandmother had begun to assert their influence in the family. Julius had his own ambitions, and his sights were set on taking control of the family's wealth and legacy. He was cunning and manipulative, and he held a strong desire to secure his son, Abraham, as the rightful heir to the family fortune, also taking over Zinna from Isabella.The grandmother favored Julius and Abraham, showering them with affection and support, while her feelings toward Isabella and Sebastian had turned cold. 

As the family was led to a house separate from the grand hall where the banquet was to be held, a sense of anger and frustration began to well up within Eleanor and Sebastian. The manner in which they were being treated only fueled their resentment, as they felt that their own family was looking down on them. Sebastian, who was never one to hold back his feelings, couldn't contain his frustration. He turned to his mother, Eleanor, his voice laced with indignation, "See how they're treating us, Mum? It's like we're not even part of this family."

Eleanor, who was often condescending, had to admit that her son had a point. She too felt the sting of the way they were being treated. The knowledge that they were being pushed aside and treated as outsiders within their own family was a bitter pill to swallow. Isabella, who typically possessed a calm and patient temperament, couldn't help but harbor a growing suspicion that her uncle, Julius, was behind these actions. She had observed the way he had been orchestrating the family's affairs, and the chauffeur's treatment of them felt like a direct order from him.

The chauffeur led them to a house on the family estate, far removed from the grandeur of the banquet hall. This house seemed modest in comparison to the opulence of the grand manor, and the stark contrast emphasized their exclusion from the family event. Isabella, Eleanor, Sebastian, and Alexander couldn't help but feel the weight of their family's betrayal. The sense of alienation and the knowledge that they were now considered the outcasts within their own family cut deeply. Hours passed, and the time for the banquet drew near. However, before they could join the event, a new humiliation awaited Isabella, Eleanor, Sebastian, and Alexander. They were summoned to the gate of the family estate and tasked with welcoming the arriving guests, essentially being reduced to the role of servants. The anger they felt was evident, simmering just below the surface. This wasn't how they had envisioned the family event. They couldn't resist this degrading task, knowing that the decision came from the old grandmother, the matriarch of the family.

Eleanor, who had been looking forward to the event, couldn't help but lament, her voice tinged with bitterness, "How could they make us serve them like this? We're supposed to be family." Sebastian, equally disheartened, chimed in with frustration, "It's not right, Mum. We should be enjoying the banquet, not serving it. This is humiliating." Isabella, who was usually a voice of reason, couldn't deny the injustice of the situation. She had grown up in this family and knew the traditions and expectations. However, the blatant degradation and exclusion they were experiencing now were beyond what she had ever imagined.

The four of them had been a part of this family for years, and they had always held their heads high, even in the face of condescension. But this new level of humiliation was a harsh reminder of their changed status within the family. As they reluctantly took their positions at the gate, looking like servants, they couldn't help but feel a deep sense of betrayal and resentment. The approaching guests, many of whom were aware of the family dynamics, cast judgmental glances at Isabella, Eleanor, Sebastian, and Alexander. The weight of their eyes felt heavy, like a collective disapproval.

The hours passed slowly as they welcomed the arriving guests with forced smiles, their hearts heavy with a mix of anger, sadness, and frustration. Alexander had seen this coming, at least in part. He knew that their invitation to the family banquet, after a long absence following the grandfather's passing and their move out of the mansion, was not a simple family reunion. It was evident that a trap had been set for them, and they were walking right into it.