Scorned Son-In-Law:System of the Forgotten Heir

Chapter 2: The First Face-Slap

Two days after the disastrous dinner, Henry stood under the scorching sun, a battered laptop bag hanging from his shoulder, sweat soaking his collar. The Bodija business district buzzed with activity—traders shouting prices, taxis honking, hawkers weaving between crowds with crates of gala and pure water.

No one here cared about his surname. No one mocked him for being the Okoyes’ “useless son-in-law.”

Here, respect was earned by hustle.

And today, Henry was ready to start his first quest.

“₦1,000,000 in 14 days,” he whispered to himself, reading the glowing system prompt in his mind.

“Let’s begin.”

He stopped in front of a rundown electronics shop. The faded sign read: ObiTech Repairs & Phones.

Inside sat Obinna, a street-smart tech vendor with a quick tongue and an eye for profit. He was busy fixing a customer’s cracked iPhone screen when Henry stepped in.

Obinna looked up, brow raised. “Ahan, Okoye in-law! Wetin carry you come my side?”

Henry forced a smile. “I need a favor. A business one.”

Obinna gave a slow smirk. “You wan buy phone or sell?”

“Neither. I want to flip deals. I’ll bring in bulk sales for commission.”

Obinna chuckled. “Commission? You dey craze? You no even get transport, you dey talk deal?”

Henry remained calm. “Just give me a chance. I’ll move ten units of the XZ10s in three days. You keep the lion’s share. I only want proof of sales.”

Obinna leaned back, intrigued. “Hmm. You wan test the streets?”

Quest Accepted: Side Hustler’s Hustle

Target: Sell 10 smartphones in 72 hours

Bonus: +5 Charisma if completed early.

Obinna eventually tossed him a dusty box. “Oya. Impress me.”

Henry hit the streets immediately, walking from Dugbe to Mokola. He pitched to students, office workers, even bike riders. Some ignored him. Others scoffed. One threatened to beat him for “disturbing a boss.”

But Henry pushed on, tapping into something fierce inside him—the shame they’d burned into him was now fuel.

By nightfall, he had sold three units.

The next morning, he returned to the Okoye mansion, tired but triumphant. He stepped inside just in time to hear Veronica’s voice echo from the lounge.

“…and he’s still out gallivanting around town with no direction,” she said, sipping wine. “He probably spent the night in a gutter.”

Adaora sat beside her, scrolling through her tablet. She said nothing.

Henry cleared his throat.

They both turned.

“You’re back,” Veronica said, frowning. “Let me guess—you finally got tired of pretending to be a businessman?”

Henry said nothing. He stepped forward and placed a stack of ₦150,000 in cash on the center table.

Veronica blinked.

“What’s this?” Adaora asked quietly.

“Profit. From today’s sales,” Henry said. “Three phones. Two more pending.”

For the first time, the smug expression on Veronica’s face flickered.

“You… sold phones?” she asked, voice sharp.

“Yes, ma,” Henry replied simply. “I’m not just eating your food.”

Adaora stared at the money. It wasn’t much to her family, but it was more than she’d ever expected from him.

Still, Veronica scoffed. “What kind of man sells phones in the sun like a common hawker? This is embarrassing.”

System Notification:

Grudge Registered – Veronica Okoye’s Pride Wounded

+1 Respect from Adaora (Suppressed)

+2 Reputation (Street Level)

The next blow came later that evening.

Henry walked into the sitting room to find Veronica laughing with Chief Ikenna Osadebe, a long-time business rival of her husband’s—and a known enemy of Henry’s late father.

Ikenna paused when he saw Henry and let out a low whistle.

“Ah! So this is the famous houseboy son-in-law. The one they say sleeps on the guest couch.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not a houseboy.”

“Then what are you?” Ikenna chuckled. “Cleaner? Cook? Or emotional support goat?”

The room erupted in laughter.

But Henry smiled calmly.

Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a USB flash drive.

“What’s this?” Veronica demanded.

“Proof,” Henry said.

He plugged it into the nearby TV. Within seconds, security camera footage began playing—footage of Ikenna’s assistant stealing files from the Okoye compound last week.

Veronica’s laughter died.

Ikenna froze.

“You bastard!” Ikenna shouted. “How dare you—”

Henry turned to Chief Okoye, who had just entered.

“I was at the gate when your assistant snuck in. I recorded it.”

Chief Okoye looked at him carefully, then turned to Ikenna. “You’re finished.”

System Notification:

First Face-Slap Complete!

Reputation +10

Passive Skill Unlocked: Echo Sight – Rewind ambient memory of locations (5-minute windows).

As Ikenna stormed out, humiliated, Henry turned to the room.

“I may be your shame today,” he said, voice cold and steady. “But very soon… you’ll regret ever mocking me.”

He turned and walked away.

Behind him, Veronica’s lips trembled. Adaora was still staring at the screen, her expression unreadable.