Incomparable Son-In-law

At the Scott residence. Evan Jackson was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Waves of laughter could be heard from the living room. Carl Scott, Evan's father-in-law, was discussing Josie's marriage with Ray: "Ray, you certainly have my approval for my daughter's hand in marriage." Josie Scott was Evan's sister-in-law, while Ray Moore was her boyfriend. The two met each other three months ago and now they were already getting married. A flash marriage. "Unlike someone, and by someone, I mean a certain useless and jobless loser, you'll make an incomparable son-in-law." Carl raised his voice and shot a disdainful glare after Evan, who was still cooking in the kitchen. Evan did his best to ignore it. Evan was also their son-in-law, but it was kind of different. He was a live-in son in law. That was why everyone in this family treated him like trash. He did all the washing, cooking and cleaning around the house. But still, he got nothing in return except being bossed around, and abused through no fault of his own. Carl continued: "And Ray, there's one more thing I... I'm embarassed to talk about." Ray asked: "What is it, Mr Scott?" Carl said a bit desperately: "I don't know if Josie has said anything to you yet, but the government wants to tear down this neighborhood and build a business center. This was the only place we have! We can't afford to rent, let alone buy, another house. So I was wondering if you could hook us up with someone from the top, and get them to give up the plan." Carl pointed his finger upwards, and ended these words with a whisper. "That's horrible." Ray furrowed his brows, clearly first time hearing the news: "but what you just said takes great wealth and power...I'll try. I'll see what I can do..." The conversation died away, but Evan paid no attention to them. He was still busy cooking. As if on cue, his phone suddenly vibrated and a message popped up. "Mr. Evan Johnson, three years' probation is over. The family has lifted it ban on your assets." "From now on, your Swiss bank account and the centurion card are officially unfrozen. If you need any help, please call the family's internal line." Evan smiled at the message. It was never his intention to be a live-in husband; if he wasn't kicked out of his family three years ago, and if it weren't for the love of his life, he would never have allowed himself to be treated like that. But now everything had changed. The text message changed everything; it meant he was a billionaire again; that he didn't need to take crap from anyone anymore. He's not worthless. Evan put away his phone, and finished cooking the last dish, fried carp. He started to carry the dishes one by one to the dining table. "Dinner's ready!" He announced. As he walked past Mr and Mrs Scott, who were still discussing what they should do if their house was tore down, he said to them with a poker face: "I don't think Ray has the ability to help you. I might know someone who can help. I can make some calls, pull some strings if you like." This speech threw everyone off guard. A jobless loser said he could help solve a problem no one else could? For a whole minute, there was only silence. Ray also heard his words, and his face burned from annoyance and embarrassment. He took a moment to compose himself, and tried to save his face by saying: "Well, Mr Scott, looks like you don't need my help now." Helen, or Mrs Scott, quickly apologized: "No no, don't listen to him, Ray. He's nobody; he doesn't speak for us." Then she growled at Evan: "How dare you offend our guest!" She walked closer to him and cursed under her breath: "He's our only hope now, don't you dare ruin it! And who do you think you're kidding, you can help? You're nothing but a pauper. Now get lost!" Josie sneered: "Like it wasn't embarrassing enough that you're a loser. Now a pretentious, bragging loser too! And you call yourself a man?!" Evan clenched his fists, but in a thirst to prove himself and in a strange pride of being able to help, he threw them another offer: "Please believe me! I can help, if you just let me!" Carl couldn't put up with it any longer; he snarled: “Enough! You heard Mrs Scott, get lost!" And now the thirst to help them was gone. Evan took a deep breath before nodding calmly: "Okay" and headed back to the kitchen. Helen was left standing there, frustrated. She was insulting him, but it felt like she was the only one who was affected. Ray was pleased by this priviledged treatment. He asked curiously, "Josie, who's that?" Josie curled her lip and said with disdain: "You mean him? He's nobody, just Evan Jackson, my sister's husband s***h a jobless parasite." Evan frowned at Josie's words. He was her brother-in-law, but she had never shown him any respect. Evan wanted to scold her but he thought better. Mr and Mrs Scott had been spoiling Josie like a queen, and any show of discontent from his side would only backfire on himself, and more importantly, on his wife, Rachel. That was the last thing he wanted. Besides...his eyes shone with a dangerous light--he wondered how Josie would react when she found out his true identity. So he decided to stay put. Josie suddenly asked: "It's getting late. Why isn't my sister back yet? Mom, did you tell Rachel that my boyfriend's here today?" Just at that moment, the door clicked open and a woman came in. She was wearing a black business suit; the suit brought out perfectly the curve of her body, and those long, slender legs. Her eyes were a perfect hue of hazel, and her skin creamy white. She was Evan's wife, Rachel. "Sorry I'm late! I got held up with a customer." Ray's eyes lit up at sight of such a beauty: "Josie, is this your sister? She's so gorgeous." "Hello, I'm Ray Moore. Josie's boyfriend." Rachel gave him a polite smile: "Oh hi, you're as handsome as Josie said you are." Carl suggested: "Now that Rachel's back, why don't we take this to the dining hall and chat while we eat? It's just some home-made dishes, Ray, I hope you'd like it." Everyone took their seats at the dining table. Evan was sitting next to Rachel. He served some fish for her, smiling warmly when she met his eyes: "Rachel, try this, and tell me what you think." But before Rachel could, Josie spat out the fish the minute she put it in her mouth. "Ew, this is awful. The fish is stale. Evan, did you buy a dead fish?!" Rachel tasted a mouthful but didn't find anything wrong with it. Rachel asked, confused: "Josie, what are you talking about? The fish is fine." Josie ignored Rachel and tasted another dish, but again spat it out before even chewing it, like it was gabbage. "And this is too hard to chew." She announced. With this, Josie looked at her father, her eyes shining with pride: "By the way daddy, have you heard of LJ Hotel? It's run by Ray's family. Their chef is from a famous restaurant in Michelin. The food there is really delicious." Ray gave a gentlemanly smile: "Mr Scott, why don't have dinner there? I'll ask the chef to cook something special for us." Evan realized what was happening here. Josie used to love his cooking; there was only one thing about it she didn't like. Him. She spat out the food only to humiliate him. And perhaps more importantly, to show off her boyfriend's wealth. His eyes shone with a dangerous light as he locked his eyes on her. After all these years' abuse, Evan had learnt to be cool and unaffected. But it still disappointed him to see Josie turn her back on him like this. He'd play it cool, until she discovered his true wealth and power. Rachel protested: "Evan went through a lot of trouble to cook them. We're not just throwing them away! How about we go to LJ tomorrow, and have dinner at home today?" Helen, Evan's mother-in-law, snorted in disgust. She was angry that Evan's cooking embarrassed her in front of Ray: "Evan, you don't have a job, and now you can't even cook properly. Tell me, do you have any use at all?" Ray tasted the dish in front of him and commented condescendingly: "It's too weak in flavour. Well, since we'll be family soon, if you're interested, I can arrange you a job in our restaurant. You can learn how to cook there, and earn one thousand a month, to help with the family expenses." Ray gave Evan a hard look, as if waiting for Evan to express his immense gratitude. Helen glared at Evan: "Where are your manners?! This is where you say thank you!" Rachel clenched her fists in rage. It killed her to see her family throw insults at her husband like this. She rose to her feet abruptly, a growl threatening to escape her throat when Evan grabbed her hand, and squeezed it gently. She looked down, and saw Evan give her a reassuring wink. Helen asked, a little confused: "Rachel, what are you doing standing there?" Rachel shook her head, the effort at control evident in her voice: "Nothing." Rachel sat down, a bit perplexed that Evan didn't get mad, but in the mean time, she felt affected by his calmness and her anger ebbing away. Evan patted her hand from under the table, and said to Ray with a polite smile:"Thank you, but I'm not interested." Josie sounded shocked: "What?! Working in a restaurant is not good enough for you? Well, perhaps you should ask yourself, have you ever bought anything nice for Rachel? No, you make her pay for everything, even when shopping! Take the job, and be grateful, you pauper!" With this, Josie took out a necklace she was wearing, and presented it in her palm for everyone to see. The gemstones on it were shining. "Look at this. This is the necklace Ray bought for me. You'd never afford it," she turned her eyes to Evan, "You couldn't even afford a platinum ring for the wedding! And now, you're still living in our house..." "Josie, that's enough!" Rachel cut her off. Her face went pale from rage. No matter how poor Evan was, he was her husband. Josie hadn't married Ray yet. So technically, Ray was not part of the family yet. But Josie mocked and insulted Evan in front of Ray, as if Ray was family and Evan was an outsider! "Evan has always been extra nice to you. Do you have no heart, talking such nonsense today?! Did you forget who carried you to the hospital in the middle of the night when you were sick?" Josie retorted: "He carried me to the hospital 'cause he's poor! He wouldn't need to carry me if he had a car." Rachel's hands were trembling with rage, but Josie didn't give her the opportunity to cut in again. "And I won't need him from now on. I have Ray now, and Ray'd drive me anywhere I want. Right, Ray?" Ray smiled: "Of course, sweetheart. When we get married, I'll buy you a car." "Thank you, dear!" Josie kissed Ray in front of everyone present. She didn't blush in the least. "And this food is too awful. Let's go to that restaurant." Josie made a face of disgust, pulled Ray up and headed out with him. "Mom, dad, I might be back later than usual. Don't wait up for me!" Joise shouted from the door. Carl sighed and replied: "Okay!" Rachel was worried that Evan might feel hurt. She leaned over and whispered in his ear: "Don't take Josie's words to heart. I don't know what came over her today but she'll come around." Evan gave her a warm smile: "It's okay. I'm not holding grudges." Rachel returned the smile: "I need to take off. I have a meeting this afternoon. We'll go to the movies tonight, is that okay?" "Yeah!" Rachel left for her company, leaving only Helen and Evan at the table. Evan cleared his throat: "Mrs Scott, are you sure you don't want my help?" Helen threw her fork aside and growled: "No! And I'm full. The humiliation lost me my appetite." She threw Evan a death glare: "You penniless, worthless thing, go wash the dishes, now!" "Okay", Evan shrugged, and whistled as he carried the dishes into kitchen, as if enjoying a private joke, leaving Helen staring after him, dumbfounded like an i***t. Oh the respectful, proud Mrs Scott, there will be a day when you crawl under my feet, and plead for my help.