Chapter 2

This morning at the Winston Villa.

“Good morning!” greeted Marvin as he knocked on the door.

Recognizing the familiar voice instantly, Gennifer came running and threw the door open. “Marvin, my husband? How are you able to come home?” Gennifer asked in disbelief. She was completely shell-shocked.

Throughout the past year, Gennifer had been the only one in the Winston family who remained steadfast and kept waiting for Marvin’s return. She was the sole person who visited him every single weekend.

As for her parents and Russel, they had never once shown up or checked on his well-being since the day he was imprisoned. In their eyes, Marvin’s offense was utterly unforgivable, and he was doomed to failure for the rest of his life.

Even though her family had pressured her all year to divorce Marvin immediately, Gennifer refused to give in. Her reason was simple: she loved him too much, and she firmly believed that Marvin would succeed one day.

“Come inside!” Gennifer invited him with a soft smile, though her eyes were still filled with lingering questions.

Marvin had arrived too early; all four family members were still present and hadn't yet left for work. “I want to know how your family is doing,” Marvin said impatiently. Regardless of everything, Marvin still maintained his respect for them.

Witnessing his son-in-law’s shocking arrival, Derick Winston recoiled, his eyes bulging. “Marvin? Did you break out of prison? How is that possible?” he demanded in utter disbelief.

Marvin was motioned to sit, though only in the formal living room, not the cozy family lounge. “Father, I’ve been proven innocent. The results of my invention were verified as state-approved fuel. I should never have been locked up in the first place.”

Although Derick had once warmly blessed their marriage, the stigma of having an ex-convict in the family made him reluctant to even look at Marvin. “You’re a terrorist!” he snarled, his brow furrowing deeply.

Marvin tried to stay calm. He straightened his shoulders and replied, “I am not a terrorist, Father. All those accusations are false. Feel free to check the court records yourself.” Marvin continued trying to convince his father-in-law that he stood on the side of truth.

Elena, Gennifer’s mother, was horrified at the sight of Marvin. While she had once adored him, ever since his imprisonment, Elena looked upon this sinful son-in-law with pure disgust. “I won’t have a filthy man in this villa!” she snapped.

Derick and Elena stared at Marvin with utter contempt. To them, he remained nothing more than a foul ex-con who had no business being inside the Winston residence. It was because of Marvin that the good name of the Winston family had been dragged through the mud.

Derick, in his sixties, narrowed his eyes with a cynical sneer. “We used to hope you’d be the hero of our family, but instead, you just brought trouble and ruined our family’s reputation and our business.”

Elena shot him a sharp, piercing glance from the side and chimed in bitterly, “You turned out to be a completely unreliable son-in-law, Marvin! We regret ever welcoming you in. You should have never married Gennifer!”

Derick smirked and barked, “You’d better divorce your wife right now! We don’t want our business to collapse the way the Rock family’s has.” He then tilted his chin up, crossing his arms over his chest to project an air of absolute authority.

Marvin felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Instead of a warm welcome, he was met with a barrage of insults and curses. Yet, Marvin kept his composure, squaring his shoulders. He didn't flinch in the slightest.

He tried to defend himself, “Give me a chance to set things right. I believe, just as we hoped a year ago, that the Rock and Winston families can rise together and overcome this adversity.”

Derick cut him off sharply. “What?! False hopes! We regret ever believing you could be the god of war between our two families! You are nothing but a disaster! I don't care about your family's business, Marvin, but look at ours!”

For a full year, the Winston family had been scrambling desperately to find ways to keep their business afloat. They were starved not just for funds, but for resources. If they didn't turn things around soon, their oil enterprise would face total bankruptcy.

Derick puffed out his chest and declared firmly, “You are completely unreliable, Marvin! The Rock family is struggling to stay on its feet, and your status as an ex-con will only make every business venture harder. We don't trust you!” He looked away, his eyebrows furrowing in mounting disgust.

Gennifer, however, stood her ground. She turned to face her father and said, “Father, you need to remember all of Marvin’s achievements and accomplishments. He will be welcomed anywhere he applies for a job. Have you forgotten?”

Derick jolted. “What are you saying, Gennifer? How dare you lecture your father like that!” He sneered again. “That was the past—before he became a criminal, before he was branded a terrorist. Now? Who would want him? Who would ever hire a terrorist?” Derick raged, losing his temper.

Elena chimed in viciously, “Marvin! Listen to me! You are a disgraceful son-in-law! Don't ever dream of becoming a successful man or a hero to the Winston family!” she sneered, narrowing one eye in a venomous, hateful glare.

Ever since he was named a suspect, Marvin’s name had been crossed off the Winston family registry; only his legal status as Gennifer’s husband remained. Throughout the past year, Gennifer had shown extraordinary patience in enduring her family's harsh commentary.

Yes, she had been relentlessly pressured to file for divorce. Yet, her loyalty and devotion surpassed everything else. She was even willing to be scolded and humiliated by her own parents just to preserve the sanctity of their marriage.

Gennifer stared fiercely at her mother. “Mother, don’t forget—you used to brag about Marvin in front of everyone, on social media, everywhere. To you, Marvin was the ideal son-in-law: handsome, brilliant, and deeply admirable. I hardly think you've forgotten.”

Elena flinched slightly. “Gennifer, my daughter, don't you dare disrespect your own mother. Yes, I admit it, but that was back then, before he had the status of a criminal. Now? He has nothing to be proud of.” Elena’s lips twitched in disgust as she rolled her eyes lazily.

Marvin felt increasingly cornered. The current reality was a complete one-eighty from the days before their marriage. If he was once showered with praise, he was now cast aside. He had been reduced to a second-class citizen in their eyes.

Just as Marvin was about to speak up and defend himself once more, Russel’s voice shrieked down from the stairs. “Well, well! My utterly disgraceful brother-in-law has finally decided to show up!” Russel began clapping slowly and mockingly.

With a cynical smile, Russel taunted, “Did you use your little MR-25 invention to blow up the prison and break out, huh? Such a terrifying terrorist. Don't linger here, Marvin. I don't want our luxurious villa destroyed by your criminal acts!”