The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 34

Eric sat in the quiet corner of the small restaurant, pretending to check his phone. He was waiting for Clara, but she was running late. He tapped his fingers on the table, annoyed, until the chair across from him slid backward.

He looked up, expecting Clara.

It was Ryan.

Eric’s heart jumped. He hadn’t seen Ryan since he left town, and he definitely didn’t expect him to show up today. Ryan wore a simple black hoodie, a cap pulled low, but even then, his presence felt stronger than before. There was something sharper in his eyes—something Eric couldn’t ignore.

Ryan didn’t wait to be invited. He sat down.

“Long time, Eric,” he said calmly.

Eric swallowed. “I—I didn’t know you were back.”

“I’m not back,” Ryan replied. His voice was quiet, but it carried weight. “I came because I heard something.”

Eric shifted. “What did you hear?”

“That you’re getting too close to Clara’s business.” Ryan leaned forward. “Too close to her life. And that worries me.”

Eric let out a small laugh, trying to look confident. “You’re not part of the family anymore, Ryan. You left. So whatever happens here… doesn’t concern you.”

Ryan’s eyes hardened. “It concerns me as long as they remain the people I love.”

Eric froze.

Ryan continued, “Clara may not appreciate me. Maybe she even hates me. But her mother is kind. Ava respects me. And that family—broken as they are—was the only place I ever felt like I belonged.”

Eric looked away.

Ryan wasn’t finished.

“I left town for a reason,” he said quietly. “I needed to find out who killed my father. But before I left, I made sure Clara and her family were protected. I have people watching them. They tell me everything.”

Eric’s expression changed. Something like fear flickered in his eyes.

Ryan noticed.

“So let me warn you once,” Ryan said. “Whatever game you’re playing… stop it. Don’t cause trouble for Clara’s family. Don’t drag them into anything.”

Eric straightened his shoulders, trying to regain confidence. “And if I don’t? What will you do? You have no power, Ryan. You’re still the useless son-in-law everyone mocked.”

Ryan didn’t react. He only stared at him for a long, heavy moment.

Then he said, “You know… you’re right. I used to be useless. People laughed at me. But things change. People change.”

Eric scoffed. “You think you scare me?”

Ryan leaned back, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. “I know things about you, Eric.”

Eric froze again.

“I know you’re not who you pretend to be,” Ryan continued. “I know about the lies. The fake business. The people you owe money. The scams you’ve pulled. I know everything.”

Eric’s face paled.

Ryan added, “And I also know the man you’re running from is getting close.”

Eric’s breath caught. “W-what are you talking about?”

“You think I left the town to sleep?” Ryan said. “I have connections. I have information. If I wanted, I could expose everything you’ve done.”

Eric hesitated, voice shaking slightly. “You… you’re bluffing.”

Ryan smiled faintly. “Try me.”

For a moment, the restaurant felt too quiet. Too intense.

Eric lowered his voice. “So what do you want?”

Ryan stood up slowly.

“Stay away from Clara’s family,” he said. “Don’t create scandals. Don’t bring danger to them. If you do…” He paused, then looked Eric directly in the eyes. “I will expose you. Completely.”

Eric swallowed hard.

Ryan added, “I left this town for their safety. But I didn’t leave them behind.”

He turned and began walking away.

Eric shot up from his seat. “Ryan! Wait—why do you care about them so much?”

Ryan paused, but he didn’t turn around.

“Because they’re the closest thing to a family I ever had,” he said quietly. “And because Ava… deserves peace. Something I couldn’t give her before.”

Eric frowned. “So you still care about Ava more than Clara?”

Ryan didn’t turn, but his voice was steady. “I care about all of them. But Ava treated me with kindness when I had nothing. I won’t let anyone break her home.”

He walked toward the exit.

Before he stepped out, he added one more sentence:

“And Eric… you’re being watched. Don’t forget that.”

Then he disappeared through the door, leaving Eric shaking slightly in his seat.

Eric sat down again, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. He had thought Ryan was weak, useless, and easy to manipulate. But this version of Ryan… felt different. Stronger. More dangerous.

And now, Eric realized something:

Ryan didn’t need to shout. He didn’t need threats. His calmness was the real warning.

Eric whispered to himself, “What is he turning into…?”

Just then, Clara walked into the restaurant, smiling brightly.

“Eric, sorry I’m late—” She paused when she saw his expression. “What happened? You look like you saw a ghost.”

Eric forced a shaky smile. “No… nothing. Let’s just sit.”

But as Clara sat down, Eric couldn’t stop glancing at the door where Ryan had walked out.

A new fear crept into his heart.

If Ryan knew his secrets… he wasn’t as safe as he thought.