Chapter 3

Reacting to the fresh accusation that painted him into a corner, Marvin grew even more furious with Russel. “You! You’re the one who framed me and sent me to prison!” Marvin snapped, losing his temper.

Russel, who was five years older than Marvin, refused to take that lying down. “You’re accusing me of framing you?! What kind of brother-in-law are you, huh?! How dare you talk to me like that!” Russel marched right up and sat directly across from Marvin.

Marvin puffed out his chest and retorted, “I have proof that you and Raymond planned the whole thing. It’s just that you two are cunning—the court didn’t rule against you because you greased the wheels with money.”

Russel shot back loudly, “Of course! Raymond and I are innocent because the evidence your brother gathered was weak. The terrorism charges didn't just come from us alone. You need to remember that!” Russel puffed out his chest, refusing to let Marvin outdo him in posture.

Russel had a burning desire to see Marvin banished from the Winston family as quickly as possible. Once that happened, Harvard Corp would finally provide the financial backing needed to secure crude oil supplies for Winsoil.

Russel continued, “Within the next three months, if Harvard Corp doesn’t supply crude oil to Winsoil, it’s practically guaranteed that Winsoil—the Winston family’s only small business—will go bankrupt.”

As the general manager of Winsoil, he played a crucial role in his family’s business development. More importantly, he needed to successfully overcome the current crisis if he wanted a quick promotion to the board of directors. Over the past year, Russel had been the one his father relied on most.

Russel had exhausted every possible avenue, from honest methods to dirty tactics, solely for the sake of his family and his own personal interests. If kicking Marvin out of the Winston family was the best way forward, he was fully prepared to do it single-handedly.

Looking Marvin straight in the eye, Russel sneered, “I regret ever making you my brother-in-law. I thought you’d be a hero for our family, but you’re nothing but a bad omen, Marvin!” His eyes were as sharp as razor blades.

Gennifer, however, refused to stand by while her husband was branded a bad omen. “Brother, what are you saying? Please show some respect to my husband. No matter what, he is still your—”

Losing his temper, Russel cut her off instantly. “Shut up, Gennifer! This is men's business!” Glaring at Marvin, he snorted in annoyance, “Yes, before he became as pathetic as he is now!”

Marvin swept his gaze across the four of them. “Russel harbors malicious intent toward me.”

Derick flew into a rage. “Marvin, what are you talking about? Stop stirring up trouble. The court clearly didn't find Russel guilty.”

Elena chimed in, “That’s right! Stop claiming that my son fabricated lies!”

When the terrorism allegations first surfaced, a multitude of parties had been involved—even employees within Rock Electra itself had piled on with accusations.

Worst of all was the government's stance. Because terrorism was treated as a grave national security threat, authorities moved swiftly and harshly.

The Winston family had immediately pinned the blame entirely on Marvin as an individual, keeping themselves completely detached to avoid being dragged down by the scandal.

A shouting match between Marvin and Russel became inevitable, and the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.

“If you keep accusing me of being the mastermind behind that frame-up, I will never forgive you!” Russel snapped, his lips curling in sheer emotional turmoil.

“No matter what the court decided, you’re still the mastermind, Russel! I’m going to settle this score!” Marvin’s blood boiled.

“Are you threatening me, huh?!”

“It’s not a threat. It’s proof. We’ll see who was really in the wrong.”

Russel stood up and glanced at his phone for a moment. *Raymond should have arrived by now. Where is he?* he thought to himself.

He stared down at Marvin and sneered, “What are you going to prove, Trash In-law? You’re just a useless ex-con. Even your own family’s business is limping along right now, drowning in debt.”

The news of Rock Electra's crisis was an open secret across Gloriston. Not only were they starved of coal supplies due to government restrictions, but they were also facing a severe cash crunch.

Ever since the scandal broke, Rock Electra had been barred from securing loans with any bank in Chemisland. Investors were equally terrified of pouring capital into a company linked to a terrorist family.

Putting on a pathetic, tearful display, Russel whined, “Look at poor Rock Electra now. Suffering because of a disgraceful man like you, Marvin. And now you want to prove you can rescue Winsoil? In your dreams!” Russel snorted contemptuously, wiping at the corner of his eye.

“Let’s make a bet!” Marvin challenged, crossing his arms over his chest.

Russel burst into roaring laughter, clutching his stomach. “Ha-ha! I never knew spending a year in a cell could fry someone's brain. I hope you ate plenty of fish and drank your milk in there, Pathetic In-law!”

Hearing that, Marvin flashed an angry, vicious smirk. “You! If you dare, let's place a wager. If I succeed, you must resign as general manager and let Gennifer take your place instead.”

“If you fail, you have to divorce my sister!” Russel raised his chin slightly, locking onto him with a piercing gaze.

“Deal!” Marvin replied with absolute confidence.

Gennifer, who loved Marvin with all her heart, grew deeply anxious.

Over the past year, Gennifer had been relegated to a minor, insignificant staff role at Winsoil. Her schedule was hectic and demanding, but her family continuously doubted her capabilities.

Despite working herself to the bone to salvage her family's business, she had yet to succeed. The Harvard family had dangled a ridiculous offer before her, which she repeatedly rejected—her ears practically ringing from months of their relentless pressuring. Yet, Gennifer remained steadfast.

Looking at him with trembling, tear-filled eyes, she whispered in a panic, “My love, stop this. The stakes are too high. Are you really willing to divorce me?”

Marvin turned to his wife and spoke gently, “Gennifer, trust me. Winsoil still has three months to weather the storm. After that, I’ll cover all of Winsoil’s deficits myself, without needing a single cent of help from the Harvard family.”

Looking at her with utmost sincerity, Marvin continued to reassure her with unwavering conviction. “I refuse to let you be treated as a pawn manipulated by either Russel or Raymond.”

Gennifer gasped softly, startled. “I—I don’t know what you mean, Marvin.” Her eyes widened with confusion. What did he mean by being used as a pawn? But sooner or later, the truth would inevitably come to light.

Russel strongly disapproved. Turning to his parents, he protested, “Father, Mother, witness the son-in-law you two handpicked. Such a filthy mouth!” Russel had been the sole person who harbored deep resentment toward Marvin from the very beginning, instigating his family to turn against him simply because he favored an alliance between the Winston family and the Harvard clan.

A moment later, a red Porsche pulled up to the entrance. “Good morning, Winston family!” greeted Raymond, the sole heir of the wealthy Harvard conglomerate, stepping out with a hundred-dollar bouquet of the finest roses meant for Gennifer.