From Worthless Son-in-Law to Island King

Chapter 8: The Tables Have Turned

The island was filled with resources. One only needed to know where to look.

For the first time in years, Joseph felt as though the chains around him had been broken.

When he returned to the traps, he took only the larger fish. Plenty of smaller fish and shrimp remained.

He had already caught enough for three people, yet Alice wanted him to feed everyone else as well.

Were these people capable of doing anything besides waiting to be fed?

Fortunately, with a fire already burning, preparing another one on the beach was easy.

Joseph gathered more dry wood, built up the flames, and began roasting the fish. Before long, their rich aroma drifted across the shore.

After the terror of the shipwreck and a freezing night without food, the stranded passengers were starving.

These men and women might have belonged to high society, but hunger did not care about wealth or status.

One by one, their eyes turned toward the fire.

Some swallowed openly. Others tried to pretend they were not staring.

Yet not a single person came forward.

Their pride would not allow it.

Joseph rolled his eyes.

They were stranded on an unknown island with no idea when—or if—rescue would come, and they were still worried about appearances.

Was their dignity really worth starving for?

While the fish cooked, Joseph took out the emergency medical kit and tended to several survivors with more serious injuries. He cleaned their wounds and wrapped them in makeshift bandages.

It cost him little effort, and there was no reason not to help.

When the fish were ready, he looked around at the hesitant crowd.

“Go ahead and eat.”

A broad grin spread across his face.

“I’m not charging you.”

At last, a few people stepped forward.

Once the first person accepted a fish, the others quickly followed.

The long, bitterly cold night had finally passed, and the sun now hung high above the island.

Much of the wreckage scattered along the shore could be turned into fishing tools or building materials. There were coconut trees farther inland as well, which meant their immediate need for food could be managed.

The next problem was fresh water.

Joseph had just begun sorting through the wreckage for materials to make fishing gear when an angry shout tore across the beach.

“Joseph! Get your ass out here!”

Every head turned.

Even Alice emerged from the cave.

Charles was marching toward them with several of his usual lackeys behind him. Their expressions were dark and threatening, as if they had come prepared to tear someone apart.

Brianna Rivera was with them.

“You must have a death wish!”

Charles pointed furiously at Joseph.

“You laid your hands on my sister?”

“Get on your knees, apologize, and hand Heather over. If you do, I might consider sparing your life.”

The survivors exchanged confused looks.

Charles’s sister?

What had happened to her?

Why had Charles come after Joseph the moment he arrived?

Whatever the reason, one thing seemed certain.

Joseph was in serious trouble.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Joseph’s reply stunned everyone.

But he was not finished.

“If you’re sick, go find a doctor. Don’t come running around here snapping at people like a rabid dog.”

He paused, then glanced around.

“Then again, there aren’t any doctors here.”

Joseph stroked his chin as though giving the matter serious thought.

“I suppose I could treat you myself.”

“No, that won’t work.”

He shook his head.

“I don’t have a veterinary license. I’d probably be breaking the law.”

For a moment, no one spoke.

A veterinary license?

Joseph was clearly calling Charles a dog.

A few women quickly covered their mouths, struggling not to laugh. Most of the survivors, however, simply stared at Joseph in disbelief.

They had all seen him kneeling before Charles on the deck the previous day.

It had only been one night.

How had the same man suddenly become so fearless?

Charles was even more stunned than the rest of them.

He had come expecting Joseph to tremble, fall to his knees, and beg for forgiveness.

Instead, Joseph had insulted him in front of everyone.

For a moment, Charles could hardly believe what he was hearing.

“What the hell are you laughing at?”

His face flushed with rage as he glared at the people trying to suppress their smiles.

The beach immediately fell silent.

Then all his fury settled on Joseph.

“So you’ve finally grown a backbone?”

Charles sneered.

“You weren’t this brave when you were kneeling in front of me yesterday.”

The mention of what had happened aboard the ship brought a chill to Joseph’s eyes.

He had not yet had a chance to settle that debt, and now Charles had delivered himself right to him.

Joseph was not about to waste the opportunity.

Charles rolled up his sleeves and charged.

Joseph barely had time to think.

His body moved on instinct.

He pivoted and drove his foot into Charles’s jaw.

“Ah!”

The kick landed with a sickening crack.

Charles flew backward and crashed into the men behind him, knocking several of them to the ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and his face twisted in agony.

Silence fell over the beach.

Aboard the liner, Charles had used Alice’s life to force Joseph to submit.

But things were different now.

Charles had already revealed his true nature, and they were stranded on an island far beyond the reach of his family’s influence.

Why should Joseph fear him?

As for what might happen if they ever made it home...

There was no point worrying about revenge when they did not even know if they would survive.

Tomorrow’s problems could wait until tomorrow.

“Did Joseph just kick Charles Martin?”

“Am I seeing things?”

“Is that really the same man from yesterday?”

The survivors could hardly believe their eyes.

Seeing Charles beaten was almost unthinkable.

Joseph seemed like a completely different person, as though the shipwreck had stripped away every trace of his former weakness.

Some worried about how Charles would retaliate.

Others, however, felt a secret thrill of satisfaction.

Charles had always been arrogant and domineering, using the Martin family name to bully anyone who dared oppose him.

People obeyed him to his face because they feared his power.

Behind his back, many of them despised him.

Watching him get kicked across the beach was deeply satisfying.

“I’ll say it one more time.”

Joseph rolled his eyes.

“If you’re sick, get treated before it’s too late.”

He spoke casually, but inwardly, he was just as shocked as everyone else.

He had not expected the kick to carry so much force.

More strangely, his body did not feel tired at all. Strength seemed to pulse through every muscle, as if his energy had no limit.