The Super Son-in-law

Chapter 31: Fulfilling the Wager

"How can I race against a modified car with that much more power?"

Alan sneered, "Hey Hamlin, you just said power doesn’t matter—that skill and guts are more important. Now that you lost, are you going back on your word?"

"I’m not!" Hamlin’s face flashed with panic as he argued unreasonably, "You tricked me, not the other way around!"

Caroline scoffed, "Hamlin, you’re disgusting for going back on your word.

Don’t forget the oath you just swore: whoever refuses to accept defeat will have their entire family die!"

"That’s right!"

Many classmates who had been waiting to laugh at Alan now turned against Hamlin.

It was clear he couldn’t stand losing—for someone his age, he couldn’t even fulfill a challenge he’d initiated.

Someone chimed in, "Hamlin, this is ridiculous—everyone witnessed this.

You challenged Alan yourself, said power didn’t matter, and swore that anyone who reneged would have their family die.

Now you’re going back on your word. Does that mean you’d rather have your family die than keep the bet?"

A girl added, "Hamlin, we all used to think you were a man of your word with real backbone.

But I never expected you’d be such a liar who breaks promises!"

Another said, "I see who Hamlin really is now!

He’s a double standard hypocrite! If Alan had lost, he’d never let it go.

Now that he’s lost, he’s throwing a tantrum. What a loser!"

Hamlin's face alternated between green and white.

To be honest, he had just bought this car less than a month ago, spending over $100,000 in total.

If he really threw firecrackers into it and lit them, the car would be completely destroyed!

This was his beloved vehicle! Normally, he wouldn't even allow the slightest scratch or speck of dust on it—how could he bear to throw firecrackers inside and set them off?

But with so many classmates watching, he was already clearly seen as untrustworthy.

If he continued to renege, his classmates would surely never associate with him again in the future. They might even spread the word everywhere about how he had refused to honor the bet after losing, preferring to bear the curse of his whole family dying rather than fulfill the wager.

Just thinking about this made his resolve waver.

If he didn't set off the firecrackers, his entire reputation would be ruined!

Just then, Alan suddenly spoke up.

"Hamlin, we're all classmates. This was just a joke—don't take it seriously.

Your car is quite expensive. If you can't bear to set off the firecrackers, then don't."

Hamlin instantly breathed a sigh of relief. However, the surrounding classmates immediately began whispering among themselves.

"Alan is so magnanimous. Look at Hamlin—what a disgrace!"

"Alan can tell he can't afford to lose, so he's giving him a way out!"

Hamlin's pride suddenly snapped. He cursed, "Who the hell says I can't afford to lose? Where are the firecrackers? Give them to me! Since I had the guts to make the bet, I naturally have the guts to lose!"

At this moment, a smile of successful scheming crossed Alan's lips...

Hamlin had completely lost his senses at this point.

He refused to be overshadowed by Alan, that good-for-nothing, in front of their classmates.

Gritting his teeth, he snatched the firecrackers from Norris and threw them directly into his own car.

Then, he picked up a lighter and said coldly, "Watch closely!

I’m not someone who can’t afford to lose!

And I don’t need Alan’s pity!"

As he spoke, he immediately lit the lighter!

The firecrackers ignited instantly and exploded inside the car! At first, flames flickered within the vehicle, but soon, thick white smoke filled the interior.

The continuous explosions of the firecrackers made Hamlin’s heart bleed, but they thrilled the onlooking classmates.

Many had already taken out their phones to record the scene, planning to post the entire process on short-video platforms later so netizens could witness this rare spectacle.

The firecrackers kept exploding, quickly destroying the seats of the BMW 540.

The seats were stuffed with large amounts of sponge—highly flammable materials. Fueled by the firecracker powder, open flames burst forth instantly.

No one had expected the firecrackers to set the car ablaze, and with the thick white smoke, the fire wasn’t immediately visible.

But once the firecrackers had mostly exploded and the smoke began to clear,

the flames inside suddenly burst into a roar, and the entire car interior was engulfed in a sea of fire!

The classmates on the scene let out screams of shock, and Hamlin blurted out in terror, "Put out the fire! Help! Put out the fire now!"

He had thought that a string of firecrackers would at most damage the seats and interior. At worst, he could spend a few thousand dollars to refurbish the car and make it good as new. But he never imagined that the firecrackers would ignite a massive fire inside the vehicle!

He shouted for help, but no one could put out the flames bare-handed.

In a panic, he called the fire department and could only watch in despair as the fire on his beloved car grew stronger, eventually engulfing it in a sea of flames.

By the time the fire truck arrived, the BMW 540 was nothing but a charred frame—barely recognizable as a BMW anymore.

Hamlin collapsed to the ground, watching his cherished BMW turn to ashes with overwhelming pain.

If he had known this would happen, he would have never provoked Alan into a race.

Now he had not only lost face but also his car.

Norris showed no obvious expression, but he found the scene secretly amusing and quietly gave Alan a thumbs-up.

Then he said to Hamlin, "Don't be too upset, Hamlin. It's about time—why don't we go inside and eat?"

Hamlin wanted to make an excuse to leave, but he thought: If I do, that bastard Alan will have the last laugh!

Anyway, my car was ruined because of him, so I have to save face somehow!

So he stood up, pretending to be calm, and said, "Why would I be upset?

I just need to accept defeat like a man." Several classmates who fawned over him quickly chimed in, "Hamlin is so wealthy—what's a BMW to him?"

"Exactly! For Hamlin, it's just a regular commuter car!"

Everyone knew Hamlin cared about saving face, so they didn't bring up the matter again and followed Norris into the restaurant together.

The main hall was already set with several banquet tables, and a small stage at the front displayed banners celebrating both the class reunion and the restaurant's opening.

Many classmates presented congratulatory gifts, and Alan stepped forward with the ancient painting he had bought, saying to Norris, "Congratulations, Norris! This is a little opening gift from me and my wife."

Mia added with a smile, "Norris, congratulations! Wish you great prosperity!"

"Thank you, thank you!" Norris (repeatedly expressed his gratitude).

Then he leaned close to Alan's ear and whispered with a mischievous grin, "I can see you and Mia are very close—nothing like what people say outside! When are you guys having kids?"

Mia blushed upon hearing their whispers.

Alan laughed and said, "Stop being so nosy. We'll tell you when the time comes, and you won't escape giving a red envelope!"

Norris nodded repeatedly and said, "I'll definitely wrap a big red envelope for the baby when the time comes!"