Chapter 4: Dominant Mother-in-Law

"Olivia?" The moment Gina Warth saw her daughter's eyes open, she rubbed her own hard, as if afraid she was dreaming. Then her face lit up, and she shouted toward the doorway, voice trembling with excitement. "Ethan!" "Ethan!" "Get in here, our daughter really came back!" But the answer wasn't Ethan Yale. It was a sharp, mocking laugh. "Sister-in-law, I know Olivia's death hit you hard," a woman drawled. "But the dead don't come back. You haven't lost your mind, have you?" As the sneer fell, a mother and daughter strolled up, wearing the kind of glee people tried and failed to hide at funerals. They were May Jub, Ethan Yale's sister-in-law, and her daughter, Misty Yale. Ethan, who had rushed over after hearing Gina's shouting, arrived just in time to see them. His face darkened on the spot. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, listen to you," May Jub said, feigning offense. "Our niece died. Are we not allowed to come pay our respects?" Her eyes flicked over him, cold and cutting. "Or is it that you brought home a convict son-in-law, and you're too ashamed to let us see?" "You…" Ethan's chest heaved with anger, but the words wouldn't come. For years, James Yale's branch of the family had kept Ethan's household under their heel. Even the best resources in the Yale family had been taken by them without shame. Ethan had never envied it. He had always been proud of his daughter, Olivia Yale. The first beauty of Northbank. One of Thalvor's Ten Outstanding Youths. A PhD from Swordbridge University at twenty. At twenty-two, she founded Frost Beauty Cosmetics Company and pushed its valuation past a hundred million within a year. A true prodigy, the kind heaven favored. Even when the old man of the family had ignored him, Ethan had endured it, believing that as long as Olivia stood, her future would outshine the Yale family itself. But Olivia had died. The hope was gone. And on top of that, they had taken in a convict as a son-in-law. He had no face left to show anyone. The more Ethan thought about it, the more furious he became, cursing Liam Cutmore over and over in his heart. If it weren't for Liam, he wouldn't be standing here, swallowing May Jub's insults. Then Gina's voice rang out, firm as iron. "My son-in-law did go to prison, that's true," she said. "But he's loyal and he knows what he owes. Having him as my son-in-law is an honor for me." She stepped out with Liam at her side, her chin lifted. "So what's this talk about being too ashamed to see you?" "Heh." Misty Yale let out a cold laugh. "Second Aunt, you really have gone off the deep end." "Fine, you claimed my cousin came back from the dead. I'll let that slide." She glanced at Liam with open contempt. "But being proud of a convict?" She clicked her tongue. "You've completely disgraced the Yale family." May Jub echoed her in that syrupy, poisonous tone. "Misty's right. We already looked into this Liam Cutmore." "A filthy convict, drenched in bad luck." Her gaze sharpened. "If your marriage to ward off evil fails and you end up dragging disaster onto your own home, that'll be a real bargain, won't it?" Gina's expression snapped. "May Jub, what are you implying? You're cursing our family?" May Jub snorted. "I'm just telling the truth." "The old man told you to bring in a live-in son-in-law for a marriage to ward off evil. He didn't tell you to bring in a convict reeking of misfortune." She pointed a manicured finger at Liam. "Get rid of him as soon as possible. Otherwise, if you bring disaster to the Yale family, the old man won't spare you." Gina's fury surged. Over the years, because their household wasn't favored, May Jub's family had bullied them plenty. Before, she had swallowed it. But insulting her son-in-law? Not a chance. Before Gina could fire back, Liam stepped forward. "Whether I'll bring disaster to the Yale family, I don't know," he said evenly. "But you'll have disaster soon." His eyes were calm, his voice flat. "A blood disaster." May Jub smiled with a face full of scorn. "Ha! A filthy convict indeed. Can't win an argument, so you start throwing curses." She lifted her chin. "Too bad for you. We're the Yale family. In Northbank, no one dares lay a hand on us." Misty's pride practically dripped from her. "That's right. The power of the Yale family is beyond what a convict like you could ever imagine." "A blood disaster?" She laughed. "Where is it, then?" Smack! Before the last word finished leaving her mouth, Liam's palm snapped across her face. Pain exploded. Misty's head jerked to the side, and a thin line of blood appeared at the corner of her lips. She clutched her cheek, eyes blown wide. "You… you actually dared to hit me?" "You bastard! You're asking to die!" May Jub shrieked, raising her hand to strike back. Smack! Liam was faster. His slap landed hard and clean, the sound crisp in the room. May Jub staggered, her cheek swelling red as blood seeped out. "I said blood disaster," Liam said coldly. "So it's blood disaster." His gaze swept over them like a blade. "Do you believe it now?" Coming to his mother-in-law's home to stir trouble? Who had given them the nerve? "Beautiful," Gina said, clapping. "That's what they deserve." She looked at Liam with growing satisfaction. He had backbone. Real grit. Even Ethan felt a rush of vindication. But it didn't last. A knot of worry tightened in his chest. Olivia was gone. With his meager abilities, he could barely keep the household afloat. If they offended James Yale's branch, retaliation would come fast, and they might not even have food on the table. His face sank. He turned on Liam and barked, "You ignorant animal with no respect for rank or propriety! Who gave you the guts to hit them? Get down on your knees and apologize. Right now!" Gina whirled on him, furious. "You worthless dog!" "You've spent all these years bowing your head and scraping by. Being a coward is one thing, but don't you dare demand my son-in-law apologize when he did nothing wrong." She stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Today it was just a slap. If they dare insult my son-in-law again, I'll fight them myself. I'll go all the way. You think I won't?" Ethan stared at his wife, livid, his face turning a hard, ugly shade. He had lived with her for more than twenty years, and he had never imagined she would explode at him for an outsider. Liam glanced at Gina, genuinely startled. He hadn't expected her to protect him like this. Warmth spread through his chest, quiet and steady. Being sheltered by an elder… it felt good. May Jub and Misty, burning with rage, also knew Gina's temperament. If they truly crossed her, she really was the type to throw her life into a fight. Their momentum faltered. Still, May Jub jabbed a finger at Gina and shouted, "Fine! Fine! You want to protect this convict, is that it?" "Good. We'll remember what happened today." She sneered. "Olivia Yale is already dead. What waves can your family possibly make anymore?" Then she straightened, voice sharpening with triumph. "My daughter, on the other hand, has already connected with Stella Group. And she's about to take the position of CEO of Yale Group." Her eyes burned with malice. "When that happens, we'll crush your family into the dirt." Misty shot Liam and Gina a venomous glare, then lifted her chin with an arrogant snort. Revenge could wait. Once she took over Yale Group, she could pay this back a hundredfold. Ethan's heart lurched. Misty was going to take control of the Yale family? And she had ties to Stella Group? If that was true, his household was finished. Gina didn't look nearly as worried. At worst, they would go back to living like ordinary people. But one thing was nonnegotiable. Her son-in-law would not be wronged. Her expression iced over as she prepared to call the bodyguards and have the two of them thrown out. Then a cold female voice, brimming with pressure, cut through the room. "Aunt, I'll remember every word you said today." Her tone was calm, but it carried a chill that made the air tighten. "In the future, I'll crush your family into the dirt too…" Footsteps followed. Olivia Yale walked out, step by step.