The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 35

Ryan woke up early the next morning in his hidden apartment. The place was quiet, far from the noise of town. It was the only place where he could think without feeling watched. For a long moment, he sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. His mind kept going back to Eric’s threats, Ava’s sad eyes, Clara’s stressed face, and Mrs. Harrison trying her best to hold the family together.

So many things rested on his shoulders, and he felt each weight heavily.

He stood up, washed his face, and checked his phone. There were two messages from his men.  

**“Everything normal.”**  

**“Clara’s family safe.”**

He breathed out slowly. Good. At least for now, things were under control.

Still, he couldn’t let his guard down. Eric was too unpredictable.

Ryan dressed and stepped outside. The street was empty. The morning air was cold, brushing against his skin. He pulled his jacket closer around him and walked toward the small café nearby. He needed tea to clear his thoughts.

The bell chimed softly as he entered. Only a few people sat around. He picked a corner seat. While waiting for his order, he pulled out his notebook. It held details about his father’s death—names, dates, places, rumors. The answers he had been searching for since childhood.

He flipped through the pages.  

**“Who killed you?”** he whispered quietly.

He still didn’t know. But something inside him felt restless lately, like the truth was getting closer.

Just then, someone slid into the seat opposite him.

Ryan froze for a second before lifting his eyes.

It was his most trusted man, Carl.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Ryan said.

Carl shook his head. “I had to come. We discovered something new.”

Ryan leaned forward. “About?”

Carl lowered his voice. “Eric.”

Ryan’s calm expression tightened. “What about him?”

Carl took out a picture and placed it on the table. Ryan stared at it. The man beside Eric looked familiar, but he couldn’t place him.

“This person met with Eric two nights ago,” Carl explained. “And he’s dangerous. Rumors say he’s involved in illegal deals around the state. Quiet ones. Hidden ones.”

Ryan’s jaw clenched slowly. “So Eric is getting help.”

“It seems so.”

Ryan closed his notebook and exhaled deeply. “Eric wants to bring trouble to that family, and I won’t allow it.”

Carl nodded. “What’s your next move?”

Ryan stared at the picture again, thinking. He didn’t want to expose everything yet. Clara’s family already had enough problems. He only needed to stop Eric from bringing more shame to them.

Finally, Ryan spoke. “Keep watching him. If he tries anything else, we move in.”

Carl nodded, stood, and discreetly left the café.

Ryan remained seated for a while. He wasn’t just protecting Clara’s family because they were kind to him. He was protecting them because he cared deeply for them. They were the closest thing to a home he ever had.

And he wasn’t going to lose them—not like he lost his father.

He drank his tea slowly before heading back to his apartment.

—

Meanwhile, in town, Ava stood in her room, looking at herself in the mirror. Her thoughts were far away. She wondered where Ryan was, if he was okay, and if he had eaten. She tried not to care too much, but she failed every time.

Just then, Clara walked in. “Ava, Mom wants us in the living room.”

Ava nodded and followed her.

Mrs. Harrison was sitting on the old couch, rubbing her temples. “Girls,” she said softly, “something feels strange today. I don’t know why, but I feel like trouble is close.”

Clara sighed. “Maybe it’s stress from yesterday.”

Ava quietly agreed, though she felt the same strange heaviness.

“Everything will be fine,” Ava finally said. “We just need to stay calm.”

Mrs. Harrison tried to smile.

But far away, Ryan was staring out the window of his hidden apartment, his mind sharp and alert.

Something was coming.

He could feel it.

And he was ready.