Chapter 8 The Head of the Eldridges

• Upon hearing Brayden's comments, Hazel laughed softly.
• "Brayden, have you lost your senses?
• "You, a son-in-law who married into our family, actually think you can make the Marleys vanish? Are you aware of how influential they are?"
• Brayden replied earnestly, "Mom, trust me, with a single word, I can crush the Marleys completely."
• Hazel handed her phone to him, mockingly saying, "So you think you can crush the Marleys with just one word? Show me how you're going to do that!"
• Brayden was taken aback.
• He really could bring the Marleys down with just one word.
• But he had already given them a week, and as the God Warrior, he couldn't go back on his promise.
• Seeing Brayden quiet, Hazel scornfully remarked, "Look, you can't even do it and yet you boast. Try to be more practical in the future and stop making such unrealistic claims."
• Pierre, who had been quiet until now, finally said, "Enough of this arguing. The family gathering has already begun. Let's not embarrass ourselves in front of everyone."
• After hearing her husband's words, Hazel finally stopped speaking.
• Pierre looked at Brayden, sighed, and stayed silent.
• However, his disappointment was clear to everyone.
• Before long, the family gathering started.
• The Eldridges' members were getting ready to sit down.
• Victor Eldridge, the head of the Eldridges' eldest son, and also Abigail's uncle, abruptly stopped Hazel and the others.
• "You can't sit at the main table. You have to sit at the smaller table."
• Abigail's family was shocked upon hearing this.
• Hazel stood up, fuming, "Victor, how can you say that? We are also part of the Eldridges."
• Victor looked at her with disdain and said, "There's an old saying: a married daughter is like spilled water. Do you still see yourselves as part of the Eldridges? If it weren't for our family taking you in, you'd probably be without a home by now."
• "You ... "
• Hearing this, Hazel was so enraged that she was trembling all over.
• She never thought that, even in tough times, her biological brother would look down on her.
• Feeling humiliated, Pierre stood up and said, "Enough of this argument. Let's just sit at the small table!"
• The other family members watched with sneering smiles.
• "You need to apologize to my mom!"
• At that moment, Brayden stood up, approached Victor, and said with a stern expression.
• Victor looked at him with contempt and replied, "Who do you think you are? You're just a son-in-law who married into the family. Do you really think you can act so arrogantly in front of me? Believe it or not, I could expel your whole family from the Eldridges if I wanted to."
• "Brayden, just let it go!"
• Just as Brayden was about to respond, Abigail pulled him back.
• Seeing her pleading look, Brayden took a deep breath and restrained himself.
• At that moment, an elderly man emerged.
• This man was the head of the Eldridges and also Abigail's maternal grandfather, Aaron Eldridge.
• Aaron regarded Brayden with a touch of surprise.
• He had some impression of Brayden.
• However, as just a son-in-law who married into the family, Aaron hadn't given him much thought.
• "Grandpa, this is a gift that Brayden chose just for you."
• Abigail quickly brought Brayden forward and presented the gift as soon as Aaron appeared.
• He didn't even look at the gift and asked coolly, "Brayden, where have you been for the past five years?"
• Brayden responded calmly, "Grandpa, I joined the army!"
• "The army?" Aaron frowned and asked, "So, you're back now. Have you retired? What kind of role did you have in the army? Did you become a sergeant or a commander?"
• Brayden answered honestly, "No."
• Aaron's expression immediately turned sour upon hearing this.
• Victor sneered, "Dad, don't waste your time asking. I'm sure he was probably just a cook in the army, or maybe he wasn't even good enough for that. At best, he might have been a farmer, just raising chickens while he was there."
• "Hahaha!"
• The Edridges' members burst into laughter at Victor's comment.
• Hazel and the others, facing the mockery, looked very uneasy.
• Regardless of the situation, Brayden remained their son-in-law. Victor's comments felt like a personal insult to them.
• Meanwhile, Hazel was increasingly dissatisfied with Brayden.
• It's been five years!
• Even an animal would have shown some improvement over that period!
• How could Brayden remain stagnant and make no advancements at all?
• Despite everyone's mockery, Brayden stayed emotionless and responded calmly, "Even though I haven't become a sergeant or a commander, I'm now a military captain, holding a position of high rank and power.
• "Sergeant and similar positions aren't even worthy of polishing my shoes.
• "Whenever I choose, even the Commander of the Baythorn Defense Zone must show me the highest respect."
• In an instant, the whole hall became quiet.
• Everyone's eyes grew wide with astonishment, staring at Brayden in disbelief.
• The idea that the Commander of the Baythorn Defense Zone, a top official of the court, and a key figure on the front lines would need to show Brayden the highest respect seemed unbelievable.
• After three seconds, the Edridges' members could no longer contain their reactions.
• "Abigail, is this the person you've been waiting for five years to come back?"
• "Does he even understand who the Commander of the Baythorn Defense Zone is? Acting tough doesn't make you wise!"
• "I bet he must have escaped from a mental hospital, his sanity seems questionable."
• None of the people there took Brayden's words seriously.
• Everyone saw him as a lunatic, a fool, a complete joke.
• Hearing the family's taunts, Hazel finally reached her breaking point. Clenching her teeth, she snapped, "Brayden, be quiet! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"
• Brayden glanced at Hazel, a helpless look crossing his face. "Mom, I'm telling the truth."
• "If you don't stop talking, leave right now!" Hazel yelled furiously.
• "You're acting like a fool, making me ashamed!"