The Mighty Son-in-law

Montana, in front of the Holiday Inn. Keith Burke had just parked the car when he heard his mother-in-law, Barbara, sitting in the back seat, cursing away, "Oh, you useless thing! Can't you drive properly? You almost killed me!" "Mom, Keith didn't do it on purpose. Just cut him some slack," Sylvia Spender interjected helplessly from the side. "You're still defending this useless man." Barbara raised her hand and poked Keith's head forcefully, "Look at how he is. Besides having a look, what else good is he? Your grandpa was so confused back then, forcing you to marry this waste!" Keith's younger sister, Alice, glared at Keith with disdain, "Mom, don't bother with this waste. Phil is still waiting for us inside! We're keeping him waiting!" "Yes, yes! I almost forgot..." Barbara gave Keith's head another shove, "It's all your fault. You've made me so frustrated. I'll deal with you when we get home! You good-for-nothing!" Barbara then turned and grabbed Sylvia's hand, wearing a pleading expression. "Sylvia, you need to say a few more words to Phil later. He's the vice president of the company now. As long as he nods, your father's company will be saved!" "Mom," Sylvia looked at Barbara helplessly, "Phil and I are just classmates back in college. We don't have that deep of a connection." "Oh, having that connection is perfect! Besides, didn't he pursue you back then?" Barbara urged anxiously, "Sylvia, the company is our family's last lifeline! It's also your father's lifelong effort. Can you bear to see it close down? Seeing us cursed by your grandmother andmocked by others?! And our family will be driven out again!" Sylvia hesitated for a moment before reluctantly saying, "I'll give it a try..." "That's the spirit." Barbara smiled with satisfaction and then poked Keith's head again, "Pay more attention when driving next time!" Closing the car door, Sylvia bit her lip and said to Barbara, "Mom, let Keith come up with us and have something to eat. He's been busy all day and hasn't had a meal." "Eat, eat, eat. What's the use of him besides eating all day?" Barbara patted Sylvia's hand and sighed with a heavy heart, "Let me tell you, Phil is now a vice president. He's also your college classmate. If you dated him back then, would we be dealing with all these problems now? I always feel he's interested in you. If he really takes a liking to you, you'll divorce this useless guy tomorrow!" Sylvia was utterly helpless, "I'm already married. Please don't say such things again, okay?" "I'm doing this for your own good!" Barbara suddenly stopped in her tracks, "By the way, didn't you just say we should take that guy with us? Bring him along and let him see the stark difference between himself and Phil. It would be great if he's embarrassed enough to not show his face in our house again! With your qualities, we can easily pick a rich and influential man, can't we?!" "Mom!" Sylvia suddenly regretted bring it up. Barbara, wearing a pair of high heels, approached the car and tapped on the window, "Get out!" "What's wrong, Mom?" Keith obediently got out of the car. "Don't call me mom. You're embarrassing enough, and I don't want to be embarrassed too!" Barbara glared at Keith, "Now you come with us. Let me show you the world. Remember, once inside, talk less, or I'll make sure you regret it!" Keith shrugged indifferently, "Okay." ... In the hotel's luxurious private room, Phil Graham was surrounded by a group of admirers, like the center of the universe. "Mr. Graham, you gotta take care of us from now on. We're with you now." "Yeah, Mr. Graham, now that you're the vice president, you must be making millions a year, at least!" Phil, basking in the attention, responded with a beaming face, "Sure thing, no problem!" "Hey, Mr. Graham, your former goddess is here." Phil, upon hearing this, quickly turned towards the entrance. When he saw Sylvia, his eyes nearly popped out. After a few years, Sylvia was still stunning, almost unreal in her beauty! Sylvia was already a rare beauty, nearly 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a proud figure, fair skin, and flawless features. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down to her waist, adding a touch of allure. Tonight, under her mother's persuasion, Sylvia had put on light makeup and wore a pitch-black evening gown, making her even more beautiful and captivating. Even calling her a beauty beyond compare wouldn't be an exaggeration. However, Phil soon noticed the man standing behind Sylvia, and his gaze narrowed, "Who's that guy?" A flamboyantly dressed girl standing beside Phil sneered, "Huh, that guy? That's her husband, a freeloading loser!" "Husband?" Phil's face darkened. He knew Sylvia was married, but the thought of the woman he had longed for being taken by a freeloading man, and that they possibly just slept last night, made him feel uneasy. "Phil!" Alice spotted Phil and her eyes lit up. She quickly walked over. Phil reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Sylvia, looking at the petite beauty in front of him with a hint of a smile, "You must be Alice, right? It's been a few years, and you've become even more beautiful!" "Really?" Alice blushed a bit, "Do you like it, then?" "I do, I really do." Phil glanced at Alice, though not as attractive as Sylvia, there was a resemblance between the sisters. Her figure was average, but youth was on her side! If he could get her into bed... "Alice, no nonsense." Barbara approached Phil, wearing a flattering expression, "Congratulations, Phil! I heard you've become the vice president of Sunshine Group. Truly a promising young talent." "Aunt, you're too kind." Phil turned to Keith, asking, "By the way, Aunt, who is this?" "He, he..." Barbara hadn't expected Phil to shift the conversation to Keith, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. "He's my husband." Sylvia spoke up, drawing attention from those around. Everyone knew by now that Sylvia had married a good-for-nothing, and it had become a joke within their circle. Barbara, sensing the mocking gazes around, scolded Keith, "What are you stupidly standing here for? Get lost! Aren't you embarrassed?!" Keith shrugged, found a seat, and started eating, ignoring the glares. Having spent the whole day outside with the three women, he hadn't even had a sip of water, let alone food. He was genuinely hungry. "Eating, eating, eating. All you know is eating, not afraid of choking to death!" Barbara muttered curses, then tried to please Phil, "Phil, sorry for the embarrassment. Sylvia grew up with you since childhood, you two used to be such a good match. But now, how did she end up with this useless guy!" Huh... Useless again. Keith smirked; he had heard this term the most in the two years of his marriage. But whatever, it didn't matter. As Keith shifted his gaze to the lobster on the table, his phone in his pocket suddenly rang a few times. Keith frowned, took out his phone. "Mom, I need to take this call." "Hurry up and go!" A girl next to him, having just sipped her red wine, sprayed it out when she saw Keith's phone. "Broke ass! Wasn't that model discontinued like ten years ago?" "Am I seeing it clearly? Isn't that the legendary flip Nokia?!" Ignoring the judgmental gazes, Keith left the private room. The phone on the other end soon emitted a somewhat shaky and elderly voice, "Yo... Young Master, is it you?" "Who's this?" Hearing Keith's voice, the person on the other end became more excited, "It's really Master Keith! I’m Arnold, and I've finally found you!"