Chapter 5 Banquet for Heroes

• "What? You're saying Mark is just holding a minor leadership position at some abandoned Water and Power Management Center, not a high-ranking official?" Greg yelled furiously into the phone, almost collapsing with disbelief.
• Only moments ago, he had been making arrangements for a lavish banquet, boasting to all about how even a Three-Star Warrior Captain would bow before his grandson-in-law. He wanted everyone to know that Mark had returned as a big shot, feeding his own ego.
• Little did he expect Eddie's call, which shattered his dreams instantly.
• The Water and Power Management Center—an outdated establishment that had been defunct for years. It likely didn't employ more than a handful of people, mostly tasked with mundane duties such as checking meters.
• Seeing as Mark had the audacity to claim he had secured a position there, it seemed he wasn't just incompetent but also shameless.
• "Eddie, you can forget about the Veridian project. Spend your time figuring out how to rid the Claytons of this useless burden. We don't need such a worthless son-in-law!" Greg bellowed over the phone before angrily smashing it.
• He had already spread word about the banquet to nearly a hundred friends and acquaintances. Cancelling now would only further embarrass him.
• He figured his reputation was in ruins.
• Meanwhile, back at home, upon Laurel's return, Tamara and Eddie immediately demanded that she initiate divorce proceedings with Mark. Tamara even went as far as to threaten drastic actions, but Laurel paid her no mind.
• "Dad, Mom, what's wrong with working at the Water and Power Management Center? It's a legitimate job! I've waited for him for so long. Don't you want me to be happy?" Laurel stubbornly insisted.
• "I think you've lost your mind. People should aim high and strive for success. With your credentials, why tie yourself to such a failure? Aren't you concerned about your reputation? Listen to me. Tomorrow, you're going on a blind date!" Tamara asserted forcefully.
• Laurel felt utterly exasperated, as reasoning with Tamara seemed pointless. She sighed. "Mom, even if I were to go on a blind date, there's no need to rush into it. Didn't you hear Mark say the Defender would reward anyone who received the special marriage certificate five years ago? I was the first to get one. If I divorce Mark now, I might lose out on that reward. Who knows? We could receive millions in government rewards!"
• Tamara and Eddie found some sense in Laurel's words.
• "Who knows if that good-for-nothing is deliberately deceiving us? Even if there is a reward, look at how he's turned out. He must not have achieved anything noteworthy on the front lines. Maybe all we'll get is a token gesture, like a penholder or a towel. I can't afford to lose face like that," Tamara sneered sarcastically.
• "I've waited for ten years. What's a little longer? We'll find out soon enough how substantial the reward is. Why rush now?" Laurel continued.
• "I think Laurel has a point. We can't let her wait for ten years to go to waste. Let's wait until the reward is issued, then we can discuss the blind date. Maybe it really will be worth millions, and we shouldn't miss out," Eddie concurred.
• Upon hearing Eddie's words, Tamara stopped fretting and reluctantly nodded. "I hope this failure doesn't prevent Laurel from receiving the government's reward."
• Just as the family settled down, the landline in the living room rang again. It was Eddie's older brother and Laurel's uncle, Bryan Clayton.
• "Eddie, haha, I heard your son-in-law is working at the Water and Power Management Center. Oh, my. It's quite an accomplishment! He's actually revitalizing that abandoned division in Seraphia after his return. I'm genuinely proud of your family." Bryan chuckled heartily over the phone.
• Eddie's expression darkened, his face burning with shame. Now, the entire Clayton family was the subject of ridicule.
• "Bryan, if you have business to discuss, get to it. It's late, and I'm about to turn in," Eddie replied curtly.
• On the other end, Bryan relished Eddie's discomfort but maintained a facade of politeness. "Ah, yes, I do have business to discuss. I can't make decisions myself. Dad was astonished this afternoon by your son-in-law. He rushed home and immediately began organizing a grand feast. He's invited nearly a hundred friends. It's too late now to call them and cancel. Dad's in a real bind. Can your family handle this? You know how much Dad values his reputation. You should go along with it and make a show at the banquet."
• "A banquet?" Eddie's face turned even paler. He had felt too ashamed to even step outside. Now, his father had arranged a banquet.
• "Yes, now that I've informed you about this, I'll let your family handle it."
• Bryan slammed the phone down and erupted into fits of laughter in his living room.
• "Did Eddie agree?" Bryan's wife, Samantha Rigis, leaned over and asked.
• "Of course he did. It's all about Dad's reputation. Unless Eddie wants to risk losing his share of Dad's assets, he has no choice but to go along with it. Today was priceless. I thought Mark would turn their luck around, but instead, he's only dug them deeper into trouble." Bryan chuckled, slapping his thigh gleefully.
• Samantha's face brightened with a smile. "This is perfect. Dad reclaimed the Veridian project, and Tammy can work hard to secure it for us. Maybe we'll end up with the project ourselves."
• "Haha. Let's just sit back and watch the show. I'm curious to see what Eddie will come up with this time. Once they set up the banquet, we'll get a few people to expose Mark for the fool he is. The more embarrassed Dad is, the slimmer Eddie's chances are for recovery!" Bryan exclaimed excitedly. This is all thanks to Mark's antics. The way he boasted at Eddie's earlier today almost had me convinced.
• Meanwhile, at Eddie's house, tension hung thick in the air. Tamara was so furious her lips turned white.
• "What are we going to do about this?" Eddie lit a cigarette, his face showing deep concern.
• "What else can we do? Dad cares too much about his reputation. We have to do everything possible to salvage it. Laurel, ask that good-for-nothing Mark if he knows anyone from the hero list. We need a few people to support him and make impressive speeches. Also, make sure he keeps a low profile so he doesn't reveal that he works at that useless Water and Power Management Center," Tamara said with annoyance.
• Laurel sighed and reluctantly agreed.
• After returning to her room, Laurel phoned Mark to discuss the issue.
• "They want to arrange a banquet? Sure, I'll be there." Mark agreed readily.
• Laurel sighed deeply. "Do you understand the situation? We're relying on you to salvage our family's reputation. Your presence alone won't be enough. Do you know anyone from that list of heroes? Can you invite one or two of them?"
• There was a brief silence on Mark's end before he responded, "If we're inviting them, one or two won't suffice. Let's invite them all. Tell your parents to prepare enough seats. I assure you, on the day of the banquet, every single hero from that list will be there in their military attire."
• "Hey, stop kidding around! I'm serious," Laurel snapped.
• "Have I ever lied to you?"
• "No way ... Mark, are you serious? Can you really invite so many people? Those on the hero list are all high-ranking!" she exclaimed in surprise.
• "They're all comrades who fought alongside me. They'll come to our house out of respect. Trust me," Mark reassured her calmly.
• After hanging up, he shook his head helplessly and instructed the guard stationed outside his office, "Notify all the soldiers from Seraphia's hero list to stand by in the coming days."
• "Will do!" The guard responded loudly, then in a quieter tone asked, "Lord Mark, is something significant happening?"
• "Nothing major. I'm simply inviting them to my father-in-law's house for a meal," Mark chuckled wryly.
• It wasn't just those soldiers from the hero list; if Laurel asked him to summon the other nineteen legendary generals of Yantara, Mark could make it happen with just a word.