ONCE MOCKED, DISGRACED:SON IN LAW REVENGE

CHAPTER 3 SAVING WIFE

The collective surprise and confusion that had settled in the room after the announcement was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected eruption of laughter, when everyone realized that it was none other than Nate! 

Laughter rippled through the gathering, as nobody could believe that he had actually barged into the grand hall so freely.

"What does he think he's doing?" whispered one family member, their eyes narrowing with scorn. 

The amusement spread like wildfire, and soon the room echoed with mocking remarks directed at Nate.

"He says he doesn't agree? But who even asked him in the first place?"

"Oh, look! This tramp also has something to say? What's next, should we call every servant in the mansion and ask them for their opinions? Or should we take the advice of all the bums from the street?"

"I think we have tolerated this freeloader for too long, that he has started to think he can participate in a family meeting now!" 

The relatives quickly dismissed Nate's opinion with a wave of arrogance. 

"Do you really think anyone cares about your agreement? A beggar has no say in matters like these!" 

One of Erica's uncles stepped towards him threateningly, as he shouted;

"Who allowed him to the grand hall? Are all the security guards dead?!"

"Listen, you piece of shit! It doesn't suit a homeless beggar to fantasize about choosing which mansion he wants to buy. Know your place!" 

One of the aunts looked at Nate from top to bottom, before commenting with a smirk;

"Just because you haven't been kicked out of our family yet, and we are still giving you our leftovers, it doesn't make you qualified to attend a family meeting! You are no better than a pet dog, do you understand?" 

"Absolutely right! This is a private family matter, so how dare you even take a step inside! Let alone voice your opinion when nobody asked for it?" 

"That's why I was telling Erica, that no matter how unattractive she might find Anthony Rossi, at least he's better than this pathetic loser! If nothing else, Anthony has a family name that commands respect– what does he have? No manners at all!"

"I pray to God that I never become this level of delusional in my life!"

The atmosphere in the room was ridden with the bitter smell of humiliation. But in the face of these cutting taunts and mockery, Nate kept his head raised high, as if nothing was able to phase him. 

With his eyes fixed on Erica alone, he took a deep breath, as his strong jaw clenched in an effort to maintain his composure. 

What the McKinney family had no clue about, was that they were unknowingly targeting a man with a hidden past. And not any ordinary past, but one that involved being an heir of a significant family. 

However, he had been thrown out of that privileged life years ago, after that incident… 

Nate shook his head to dismiss those thoughts, as there was no point in remembering these painful things right now.

He had chosen to hide his family history from everyone– even his wife. In all these years, he had never once told anyone about his real identity.

Not just because of unnecessary complications, but his decision was also based on the fact that his true identity would cause a huge chaos. 

In all these years, he had never contacted anyone from his past life. But right now, he was even willing to beg his estranged family for a substantial sum of 20 million dollars, just to help his wife from this crisis. 

He was fully aware that this would come at a significant price tag of putting himself in grave danger. 

However, that too seemed worth it, if that would mean that Erica wouldn't need to step into the sacrificial altar for the sake of a family that didn't even care about her. 

While he was thinking all this, one of the relatives noticed Nate's body language, which seemed quite aggressive. But on the other hand, he was completely silent, as if he couldn't even hear them at all.

The lady mocked,

"What happened, don't you have anything to say? Have you run out of words now, after storming into our meeting? That's why people need to think before they act!"

"I think it is a huge demand to expect that this cockroach even has a brain of his own!"

"Why are you quiet now? Tell us, why shouldn't she take the proposal? When Erica and her family are willing, then who the hell are you to say anything? Huh, what have you even done for Erica till now?" 

After careful consideration, Nate took a deep breath and finally opened his mouth, his voice carrying a firm resolve. 

"It doesn't matter what I have done so far. I can offer 20 million dollars to help solve the family's financial crisis, I just want you to leave my wife out of it."

There was a momentary silence in the hall after Nate's announcement. However, nobody from the family took him seriously enough to express how thankful they were, or even acknowledge what he had said. 

On the contrary, the room erupted into laughter. Laughter that echoed louder and more mocking than before, due to the level of disbelief that the family members were feeling. 

They found Nate's offer not only absurd but downright ridiculous. 

"How could a loser like him have 20 million dollars?" scoffed one relative. 

"20 million what? Sticks and stones?" 

"Ah, of course! Why didn't we ask you for help before now, knowing that the son in law of this family is the King of a fairytale kingdom? Oh, that's right! Because you are nothing more than a dishwasher!"

"Listen, young man! The currency of our country is still dollars, not some imaginary unit."

"I think he isn't just delusional, he is truly insane! He thinks he can give us 20 million, seemingly out of thin air!"

The family just dismissed Nate's offer as nothing more than a bad joke, using this opportunity to mock him even more. 

Even Erica couldn't hide her disappointment, even though she was silent. Her lips were pressed together tightly as she looked at him, wondering how insensitive he could be.

In her eyes, his offer seemed like a cruel mockery— as if he was trying to insult her by offering such a significant amount of money in return for her freedom, when he didn't even have a few pennies to his name.