THE LEGEND SON-IN-LAW IS BACK

Chapter 8

Silas leaned back in his chair with a self-satisfied grin. "I did a little digging, Selena. Your charming husband here isn't the hidden wealthy man you think he is. He's just a small employee juggling several part-time jobs for the past few years. The money he used to 'save the company' is likely every penny he scraped together from those menial jobs.”

Dominic sat unfazed by Silas’ revelation and responded calmly, "Impressive detective work, Silas. Yes, I worked hard, took odd jobs, and saved every penny to help Selena's company. It's not about being a hidden rich man; it's about dedication and genuine care for someone I love.”

“Oohh shut it, you loser. You don't have a place here,” Silas stressed with disdain. The room fell silent as everyone gasped at the sudden revelation. The Alexiou's family doesn't tolerate poor people, so they took it upon themselves to ridicule Dominic and make him see he doesn't have a place with them.

Camara got the perfect opportunity to diminish Dominic further and chimed in, "Well, Selena, it looks like you married a regular working Joe. I hope you're ready for a life of mediocrity." 

Rose wrinkled her nose, taking an exaggerated step back. "You smell like a poor man. Selena, dear, this is once again another bad idea.”

She was disappointed in her daughter for introducing a financially disadvantaged man into the family, derailing her initial hopes of gaining favor from him.

Camara rolled her eyes and muttered, "Selena, you can't be serious. This loser is going to drag you down." 

She enjoyed getting the chance to prove she was far better than her elder sister, and she was enjoying every bit of it. 

Grandma stood up with a disapproving frown, addressing Dominic sternly, "Young man, do the right thing. Divorce my granddaughter immediately. We can't have the stench of poverty lingering around our family.”

"I told you I'd be keeping an eye on you. You're nothing more than a gold digger, looking to reap rewards with minimal investment." Silas stress hoping that Selena will get angry and push him out.

Selena faced the harsh criticism she received without saying a word. Their ridicule had a way of always getting to her. It was so hard for her, but she endured them. 

When Dominic noticed his wife's distress, he tried to flare up and defend her, but she immediately squeezed his hand, signaling him to remain seated. He could tolerate any humiliation but not one towards Selena.

She moved close to his ears and whispered, "Let me handle this, Dominic. I appreciate what you're doing for us."

Selena was touched. She once again admired her husband and was deeply moved by how he could willingly save her company from his hard-earned savings.

She smiled to herself with a sense of positivity. She wasn't sure if marriage to him was a good idea, but she had a feeling she was on the right path.

Dominic nodded in understanding but was not happy and wouldn't tolerate it when they humiliated his wife, but he had to calm himself to please her. 

Selena sighed; she had to handle her family's pressure and shield Dominic from it.

She thought of a way to defend him but just turned to them with a determined look and said the only thing that came to her head at the moment. "I won't let any of you belittle Dominic. He's been more supportive and caring than any of you realize, and we'll face this together."

Dominic smiled to himself. Although he didn't say anything and was already used to being looked down on, he admired how Selena always stood up for him. She did it with the gangsters and now with her family.

“You're going nuts. I never raised you this way. You used to be my favorite and make me proud,” Grandma cuts emotionally.

“He couldn't even bring a gift. Whereas Silas is rich and also a partner to Star Shooter Group,” Rose added as she emphasized Silas's gift to compare Silas to Dominic’s incompetence.

Camara walked majestically to Silas as she flaunted him proudly and with possessiveness. “Selena, don't be foolish. Wake up to reality. Stop being foolish and moved by sympathy,” Camara said to her.

Selena listened without words to say. Dominic couldn't hold the humiliation against his wife anymore.

Meanwhile, in the Giant Hall Army military headquarters in Victorias, an unauthorized investigation into General Dominic's identity reached the military district, causing a stir among the top officials.

Anderson, the current top commander, was furious at the audacity of such an action in Kester, and he ordered an immediate investigation.

“Sir, this signal is coming from the police department in Kester City,” one of his tech soldiers said.

Anderson growled, “What insolence. Where did that audacity come from? We need to clip some grown wings.” He immediately issued orders to the recently stationed regiment, which Eleanor, the General's female guard, is in charge of, to arrest the investigators and everyone related to the investigation.

"Put me on to Sergeant Ramirez,” Anderson ordered and was immediately connected to him.

“Sergeant, I want you and your men to tighten security of the borders and tame spies. You know I hate snitches.”

“All hands will be on deck, commander,” Ramirez replied with a salute.

“Bring me reports before the end of the day,” he said and disconnected, smirking and twitching his jaw in anger.

Soldiers soon mobilized and invaded Kester City with urgency, their orders clear: arrest the investigators and anyone connected to them.

The military district headquarters wasn't taking any chances, suspecting espionage from an enemy country. Eleanor led the army with a grin on her face, having laid low from the orders she received from Dominic after the humiliation of Diana.

“What a grand way to teach these bloody civilians some lessons,” she murmured to herself with a smirk on her face. The recently stationed regiment moved swiftly through the city, securing locations tied to the investigation.

“Where are we looking at, Greg?” Eleanor asked Greg who fixed his gaze at his screen, mapping out the locations connected to the unauthorized inquiry.

“The major signal is from Kester Metropolitan Police Department,” Greg said, still focused on his screen.

He continued, “Name: Chief Richard Harlan Age: 52, born on March 15, 1971, has served in law enforcement for over 30 years. Recently appointed Chief of Police.”

“All units move to Kester Metropolitan Police Department,” Eleanor commanded her men through the radio transceiver.

“Ohh wow!” Greg exclaimed.

“What is it?” Eleanor asked Greg.

“There's also a signal from a location within the city's metropolis, and it's close

to the General's tracker signal.”

“Shit! I might shed blood,” Eleanor growled.

Still in the party, Dominic stayed quiet and said nothing. He watched as everyone took turns to ridicule him further, as if it were an enjoyable sport. Not that he was fazed; he was just amazed at how they forgot their troubles and focused on him.

Silas continued, “Since you go about parties to eat, you're invited to my wedding. You could eat as much as you want at my wedding banquet.”

Silas wasn't done yet with Dominic, and he also wasn't done yet with Selena for choosing to support him. He marched towards Dominic with an invitation card for his wedding.

“You know, at my banquet, Selena could serve as a maid. It would be quite fun for everyone, don't you think?” Silas grinned in the process, and it made everyone cheer. He had suddenly become a jester, and they poured themselves wine, laughing heartily.

Dominic fumed in frustration. He hated it when they humiliated Selena and voiced out in anger to defend her. “Why not we hold our wedding banquets on the same day? Mine will be unforgettable. In fact, the scale will be a hundred times grander.” Dominic ranted, throwing everyone off balance.

“As for the investigation, let me make this clear; you have no right or qualification to delve into my identity. I suggest you reconsider your actions moving forward.”

Rose first gasped as she almost choked on her drink. Grandma Helena also swiftly turned to him to ensure that he made that statement. Everyone was shocked at his arrogance, but Silas was the first to react.

Although Silas was taken aback, he chuckled condescendingly. “You might be setting yourself up for disappointment, my friend. Do you really think you can outshine me?” he continued.

“You think so big and highly. You can never live up to your words,” Silas taunted further, and Dominic's reply made everybody smile as they poured themselves wine.

Camara supported her husband, “I heard he’s an experienced dishwasher. He can accompany his pathetic wife in the kitchen that day. I just hate him; he's such a loser.” Rose joined the conversation, replying to her daughter, “I initially thought he was the real deal but didn't know he was planning to live off my daughter's fortune.”

“He must have cast a spell on my granddaughter. He must be planning on using our family’s name to climb the social ladder,” Helena cursed under her breath to further dampen the effect of their abuses on both Dominic and his wife, Selena.

Silas finally spoke up after quietly watching how they humiliated Dominic and Selena. “That serves her right for meddling with a lowlife,” he said to himself and then spoke out. “Y’all shouldn’t waste your time on this pipsqueak and loser. I entrusted Richards, the chief police of the Kester police department, to look into your background, and you dare say he wasn't worthy. If the director is not worthy, who else is worthy?”

Selena had listened to the height of it. They talked against her and her husband like they weren’t family. A tear almost dropped from her chin as her eyes welled up. Dominic looked at her with a weary countenance. He made a move towards where she was quietly seated. However, at this moment, the vibration of the Corps' armored vehicles was heard, and the sound distracted everyone, making them quiet down.

The sound of these cars soon gradually faded away, and Dominic continued until he approached his wife. He took her by the hand and gestured for them to leave. She obliged obediently and followed him. As they went, he stopped in his tracks confidently to face everyone who stared back at him and emphasized holding a wedding that would surpass everyone else.

"Your contempt towards us won't change the fact that our wedding will surpass everyone else. As for the investigation, I welcome it. But be prepared for the consequences of meddling where you shouldn't."

Saying that, Dominic walked out proudly, and a smile appeared on Selena’s face as well, for some reason. He knew his second in command must have gotten a signal of someone investigating his identity and would be tailing them to teach them a lesson.