Mocked Son-in-law Is Powerful

The tension in the room was suffocating. The bald man stood towering over Emily Carter, his cold, predatory eyes fixed on her trembling figure. His gang of thugs leaned against the walls, smirking, their postures casual but menacing.

“You really thought you could duck this, huh?” The bald man’s voice was a growl, low and sharp like the edge of a blade. “Twenty-five thousand dollars isn’t pocket change, sweetheart.”

“I-I was going to pay!” Emily stammered, her voice cracking. “I just need more time. Please.”

The bald man sneered. “Time’s up, princess.” Without warning, his hand lashed out, slapping Emily hard across the face. She stumbled, clutching her cheek as tears spilled over.

John Carter, standing just a few feet away, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His blood boiled as he watched his sister humiliated, but he was powerless. Or at least he felt that way.

“Leave her alone!” John snapped, stepping forward.

“Oh, we’ve got a hero here,” the bald man chuckled, looking at his gang. They laughed on cue, their mockery echoing in the room. “Look, buddy, if you don’t want your sister dragged out of here, you better cough up the cash. Now.”

John’s mind raced. He didn’t have $25,000—hell, he didn’t even have $1,000 to his name. Emily had taken the loan to pay for their grandfather’s hospital bills, thinking she could manage, but now they were cornered.

“I just need a little time,” John tried, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. “A week. I’ll get the money.”

The bald man stepped closer, the faint smell of cheap cologne and stale cigarettes wafting off him. He tilted his head, pretending to think. “A week, huh? You got a rich uncle hiding somewhere? Or are you just pulling this out of your ass?”

“I’ll call someone!” John snapped, desperate now. “Just give me a moment.”

“Sure,” the bald man smirked, motioning to his men. “But if you’re lying, you’re gonna regret it.”

John pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed. He prayed silently as the line rang. “Come on, pick up…”

“Hello?” Mary Wilson’s voice was crisp, cold as winter.

“Mary, it’s John,” he said quickly. “I need your help. Emily’s in trouble, and—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Mary interrupted, her tone sharper now. “Whatever it is, John, it’s not my problem.”

“But—”

“You married Olivia, not me. Figure it out.”

The line went dead. John cursed under his breath and dialed Olivia next. His wife answered on the second ring.

“John?” Olivia’s voice was neutral, detached.

“Liv, listen, I need you to come here. Emily’s—”

“I’m busy,” she cut him off. “And whatever mess Emily’s in, it’s not our responsibility.”

“It’s twenty-five thousand dollars, Olivia!” John pleaded, his voice breaking. “They’re going to hurt her—”

“And where do you think I’d get that kind of money, John?” she snapped. “Don’t call me again about this.”

John stared at his phone, the disconnect tone buzzing in his ear. He let out a shuddering breath, his heart sinking.

“What’s the verdict?” the bald man asked, his tone mocking.

John forced himself to meet the man’s gaze. “I need a day. Just one day.”

The bald man’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying. I can see it all over your face.”

“Please, I’m not lying—”

The bald man held up a hand, silencing him. “Boys, teach him a lesson.”

Two of the thugs grabbed John, slamming him against the wall. Pain exploded in his ribs as fists rained down on him. Emily screamed, trying to intervene, but one of the men shoved her back.

“Stop it!” she cried. “I’ll… I’ll go with you! Just stop hurting him!”

“You hear that?” the bald man grinned, turning to John. “Your sister’s got more guts than you. Maybe I should take her instead.”

“No!” John roared, trying to fight back, but another punch sent him crumpling to the floor.

Emily sobbed as two of the thugs moved to drag her away. John, battered and bleeding, tried to get up, but his body felt like it was on fire.

This can’t be the end… I can’t let her go.

Suddenly, something snapped inside him. A searing heat coursed through his veins, his vision blurring. When his eyes opened again, they glowed a deep, menacing red.

“What the—” one of the thugs stammered, stepping back.

John rose to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate. The room seemed to darken, an oppressive aura radiating from him.

“Let her go,” he growled, his voice deeper, almost unrecognizable.

The bald man laughed nervously. “What the hell is this? You think you’re some kind of superhero?”

John didn’t answer. He lunged forward with inhuman speed, his fist connecting with the bald man’s jaw. The man crumpled to the ground like a sack of bricks.

The gang rushed him, but John moved like a predator, dodging punches and delivering devastating blows. One by one, the thugs fell, groaning in pain.

Emily watched in stunned silence, her tear-streaked face frozen in shock.

Within minutes, the room was littered with bodies, the gang members either unconscious or too terrified to move. The bald man dragged himself up, blood trickling from his nose.

“You’re insane!” he spat. “This isn’t over.”

“Leave,” John ordered, his voice like thunder. “Now.”

The bald man didn’t need to be told twice. He and his men scrambled out, tripping over themselves in their haste.

As the door slammed shut behind them, Emily rushed to John. “John, are you—what just happened?”

“I don’t know,” John muttered, his eyes returning to normal. The adrenaline faded, leaving him feeling drained and confused.

Before they could process anything, the door opened again. Olivia stood there, her expression unreadable as she took in the scene.

“What the hell happened here?” she asked, stepping over one of the overturned chairs.

“Nothing you care about,” John said coldly, his anger barely contained.

Olivia sighed, pulling out a checkbook. “I ran into those thugs outside. They told me everything. I’ll pay the debt.”

Emily gaped at her. “You’ll… what?”

Olivia didn’t look at her. “Not for you. For John. I’m not doing this again, though.”

John stared at her, his fists clenched. “You could’ve stopped this earlier.”

“I could have,” Olivia said flatly. “But you’re the one who dragged us into this.”