Chapter 4 Our Delusional Son-in-law

• “Huh?”
• Carl froze mid-gesture, the smirk on his face faltering. Around the table, conversations stopped, as if the air itself had thickened.
• What was Logan actually implying?
• Carl’s brows drew together, disbelief sharpening his voice. “Are you seriously claiming to be the Supreme Commander?”
• Logan’s lips curved in a slow, deliberate smile, not the sheepish grin of a man caught bluffing, but the confident, steady expression of someone stating a simple fact. “Yes. That’s right. I am the Supreme Commander. Though I don’t believe we’ve ever met before.”
• A ripple of laughter burst through the room, loud and unrestrained. Carl’s was the loudest, his shoulders shaking as he slapped the table for effect.
• Even Williams, sitting with his usual stiff dignity, allowed himself a small shake of the head, a half-smile tugging at his mouth as if he’d just witnessed a piece of amateur theater.
• “What a joke.”
• “Logan’s really something else,” someone muttered under their breath.
• Melissa, Carl’s wife, leaned forward with a sharp, mocking grin. Her voice carried across the room like a dagger thrown on purpose. “Celeste, your husband is quite the comedian! He calls himself the Supreme Commander just to save face. Do you even know what that title means? He’s the supreme leader of feared clans, a man who can topple entire clans with a single command! What’s a prison sentence compared to that? Celeste, you’ve really outdone yourself.”
• Carl chuckled beside her, clearly enjoying the performance.
• Others began to pile on, sensing weakness like blood in the water.
• “Please don’t bring him up at future gatherings, Celeste. You might tolerate it, but the rest of us find it humiliating.”
• “Exactly. Keep him out of family events, the Sterling name has a reputation to protect.”
• Robert’s gaze hardened as it shifted to Richard. His voice carried quiet disappointment that somehow cut deeper than open anger. “Honestly, Richard, this family has fallen so far.”
• Richard’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling against his knee as if to keep them from trembling. Elizabeth stared down at the tablecloth, her cheeks burning with shame. Neither dared to speak.
• For them, this wasn’t just an insult, it was the most humiliating moment they’d endured in public memory.
• In the corner, Celeste sat motionless, her back straight but her hands clasped so tightly in her lap that her knuckles had gone white. She didn’t speak. She couldn’t. Tears slipped down her cheeks in quiet betrayal, blurring her vision.
• She had braced herself for whispers, for the occasional cruel comment, but this open ridicule was more than she’d prepared for.
• Her gaze flicked to Logan. In her chest, disappointment settled like a heavy stone. It wasn’t the prison sentence that stung, nor the gossip that came with it. She could have endured all of that. What cut deepest was the arrogance radiating from him now.
• She had once hoped he would return humbled, ready to rebuild from the ground up. But the man in front of her wasn’t humble. He stood there like a showman, wearing his pride like armor.
• She barely recognized him.
• Carl, still riding the wave of mockery, leaned in again. “Alright, so you really are the Supreme Commander.” His tone dripped with challenge. “There’s a welcome gala tomorrow night here in Hills Valley, just for this big shot. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there.”
• He knew what he was doing. The jab was calculated.
• Carl kept up with every bit of news, and this banquet was already confirmed. The town’s officials had arranged it after Logan’s arrival had sent ripples of unease through Hills Valley. In the end, they’d decided on a public welcome, framing it as respect though the undertone was just as much about keeping a close eye on him.
• Robert arched a brow. “You’re going to that gala as well, Carl?”
• Carl puffed his chest out, grinning broadly. “Already secured two invitations!”
• He didn’t mention the five million it had cost him to buy them, a deliberate splurge meant to let him boast at this very banquet.
• Around the room, the expressions shifted from ridicule to admiration and envy, the earlier tension now tangled with the usual family competition.
• That was some serious cash well spent, Carl thought smugly to himself.
• “Think you can get more of those invites, Carl?” Charles asked cautiously. “If you can, my father and I would like to come as well.”
• Charles watched Carl eagerly, his eyes gleaming with hope.
• “I’ll get every one I can!” Carl said without hesitation, though his wallet felt considerably lighter already.
• “That’s another five million, just like that!”
• “Only one phone call needed!”
• Carl didn’t hesitate to call and secure two additional invitation cards.
• Melissa, sliding closer to Celeste with a sly grin, teased, “So, Celeste, will you be gracing the banquet tomorrow with your presence?”
• Celeste’s expression darkened immediately, fully aware Melissa was deliberately trying to humiliate her.
• Not long after, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the Sterling estate, and a sharply dressed man stepped inside.
• “Sandra, isn’t it? The secretary?” Robert quickly approached, recognizing the visitor.
• Sandra was well-known in administrative circles as the liaison for Hills Valley upper management. Showing respect was expected.
• “Good evening, Mr. Sterling. I’m here on a straightforward task—to personally deliver ten invitation cards to the Sterling family for tomorrow’s banquet.”
• Once the invitations were handed over, Sandra promptly left.
• She had been sent by the head secretary of Hills Valley, who sat quietly in the waiting car, nervous about facing the legendary Supreme Commander since he knew he would be in there.
• His superior had made it clear: every prominent member of the Supreme Commander’s in-law family must attend the banquet. The invitations were to be distributed discreetly, with the sender’s identity kept secret.
• Thus, Sandra was assigned this delicate job.
• Logan watched silently as the scene unfolded.
• Carl, on the other hand, was visibly unsettled.
• What’s happening here?
• I just purchased two invitations myself.
• Why suddenly ten more?
• And who did you say that was? Sandra, the secretary?
• “Carl, you truly are a jewel in the Sterling family,” Robert said with hearty laughter. “To have the office secretary deliver ten invitations personally, just like that—our family couldn’t ask for more!”
• Charles smiled broadly.
• “Carl, you’re impressive!”
• Williams glanced at Carl with obvious admiration.
• “Melissa’s got herself a good man! She must be over the moon, unlike Celeste, who’s stuck with a man marked by his past!”
• ...
• “I’m sorry if my husband’s too impressive, Celeste,” Melissa added with a mocking tone. “Just say the word if you ever want help in the future. Though, I wouldn’t get too close—you wouldn’t want someone making a move on your sister-in-law, would you?”
• Celeste felt her anger rise sharply.
• Melissa’s insults were clear as day, yet Celeste was helpless to respond. Carl’s influence, enough to summon the office secretary herself was simply beyond their reach.
• Besides, invitations to an event of such high standing weren’t handed out lightly.
• Richard and Elizabeth exchanged looks, envy written all over their faces.
• With a son-in-law like Carl, they’d wake up every day with a smile.
• Life would become a constant count of riches.
• Right? Isn’t Carl’s brother engaged to our daughter?
• Still, they held their tongues, unwilling to confront Celeste.
• Carl was confused.
• Where on earth did I find these connections in Hills Valley. It was obvious he didn’t know how those invitations had come through.
• Surely a mistake.
• But since it was happening, he decided to embrace it.
• It would certainly boost his reputation.
• Carl chuckled. “Sorry, Grandpa. Ten invitations were the best I could get. Space at an event like this is limited.”
• Robert’s grin grew wide. “Carl, you’re the family’s shining star! Grandpa will toast to you!”
• Richard’s envy darkened his face.
• “Grandpa, why not distribute these invitations yourself?” Carl suggested.
• “Of course.”
• The patriarch had three children. All were given invitations—except Richard’s family.
• The remaining few invitations went to Philip and a select group of favored grandchildren.
• “Thank you, Grandpa!”
• Philip and the others proudly waved their invitations in front of Richard’s family.
• The latter lowered their heads quietly, acknowledging their shame.
• In the Patriarch's eyes, they ranked no higher than the youngest family members—and they had only themselves to blame.
• Just then, the silence was broken.
• “Why weren’t we invited?”
• Logan spoke calmly but firmly.