The Despised Son-in-Law Becomes the Ruler

Episode 3

Witnessing his mother being abused before his eyes, Vin couldn't stand it and quickly approached Martin, reaching for his neck and gripping it tightly.

"If you hit me, I still refrain from retaliation. But now you've dared to touch my mother, I won't tolerate that. Apologize immediately or I'll break your arm," threatened Vin, tightening his grasp.

"Let go of me, what do you think you're doing? Don't expect me to apologize to that old woman," Martin struggled as Vin, who seemed possessed, showed no mercy.

With all his might, Vin threw Martin towards a parked car, shattering its window and injuring Martin's head. But that was not all; Vin continued to strike Martin powerfully to avenge his mother's treatment.

"Stop it, Vin," Regina cried out, but her pleas were ignored no matter how fervently she defended Martin. Vin was deaf to her attempts.

Martin's friends, witnessing the scene, couldn't stand by and launched an attack on Vin, who easily deflected their offensive and knocked them all down.

"Stop it now, Vin," Regina yelled again, but Vin remained indifferent. He beat Martin until he was battered and then dragged him to kneel at his mother's feet, yanking his hair.

"I've asked you to apologize to my mother, but you arrogantly refused. Now slap yourself hard ten times and say sorry to her, or I'll wipe you out right here," Vin threatened, his teeth clenched in rage.

Submissively, Martin bowed his head and followed Vin's order, slapping his own face.

"Slap harder," Vin commanded, and at once, Martin struck his face with even greater force.

Vin could see with the help of the gemstone he possessed that Martin's internal injuries were severe, but he was not yet satisfied until he made Martin experience excruciating pain.

"Arrrgghhh," Martin screamed before collapsing.

"Take this scumbag away now or I'll obliterate him," Vin ordered, causing Regina and Martin's son to fearfully comply.

"Are you alright, Vin?" Ningrum asked with concern as she approached her son.

"I'm fine, Mom. Forgive me for not stopping Martin from slapping you. Now both your cheeks are bruised. Let's go, Mom, I've found us a new rental place, then we can treat your face."

They quickly left for the house Vin had rented the night before, which, though modest, was still comfortable to live in.

"I'm sorry, Mom, I could only afford this small house, but I hope you don't mind. I promise to find a better place as soon as I have the money," said Vin.

"It's okay, my child. However simple the house may be, as long as we have a roof over our heads, that is enough," Ningrum replied, aware of the struggles her adoptive son had endured for her. If only she hadn't found him back then, she might not have experienced the love of a child for his mother.

***

Five days had passed as Vin cared for his mother, and now Ningrum was back to her routine without complaints, filling Vin's heart with joy.

Finally, after almost a week of having his phone switched off, Vin turned it back on to reach out to Sifa, to thank and apologize to her for the disappointment he had caused.

Sifa answered Vin's call immediately.

"Where have you been? You've been unreachable. Did you intend to run off with the money I lent you? If I'd known, I wouldn't have felt sorry for you," Sifa snapped on the other end of the line.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to avoid you, just—"

"Give me your location now; I want to see you immediately for an explanation," Sifa interjected.

"Alright," Vin quickly shared his location with her.

Half an hour later, Sifa arrived at Vin's rented home, looking disdainfully at its simplicity.

Vin greeted Sifa and invited her in to meet his mother. Once inside, Sifa looked around critically.

"You've found such a modest home for your mother-in-law? Are you really that poor that you can't afford a more comfortable place? It's for your mother too," Sifa commented, but Vin remained unbothered, accustomed to her indifference.

"Here, I've brought you and your mother some supplements. I thought you might need these to work hard and pay me back as soon as possible," Sifa said, handing over a few supplement tablets.

"Thank you, Sifa," Vin replied, accepting the supplements.

"Hurry up, I've come to take you with me," Sifa commanded, and Vin understood.

"Thank you, Sifa, for all your help. My mother and I owe you so much," Ningrum said, but Sifa didn't respond.

Shortly after, Vin was ready, and Sifa led him away. But just a few steps outside, the gem revealed that his wife had been drugged before coming to him.

"Sifa, I should drive; it seems you're under the influence of sedatives," Vin tried to explain, but Sifa was unconvinced.

"I don't believe you. And you should know, I'm filing for divorce next month. I can't live with someone as weak as you," she retorted.

Vin fell silent for a moment, recalling the events of a year ago when he had been forced by Gultom to marry his daughter Sifa to settle his father's debts. Even after Sifa recovered from her illness, the Gultom family gradually sidelined him, treating him like a servant in his in-laws' house and constantly humiliating him, but Vin endured for Sifa's sake.

If it weren't for Sifa being the little girl who had once given him a bowl of rice when he was starving eighteen years ago, Vin might have left her long ago. Vin owed Sifa for her kindness and strived to remain by her side.

As Sifa, who didn't trust Vin's words, decided to drive herself, the sedative effect started to hit her, and she nearly lost control of the vehicle. Vin quickly took the wheel, but tragically, a dump truck lost control and collided with six cars ahead.