Chapter 3
994 Words
Michael's emotions surged, and he instinctively tried to embrace Yolanda. But she pushed him away and cried in a trembling voice.
"Why did you come back? I've already forgotten about you," Yolanda said with painful expression.
Seeing Michael, Yolanda's parents were both shocked.
"Michael, how shameless are you?" Nate Kundera, her father, snapped at him.
"Do you even understand the pain Yolanda has endured because of you? Can you grasp the agony and criticism she's suffered these past six years?" Nate continued, his voice full of anger.
Eileen Ferrara Kundera, Yolanda's mother, gave Michael a shove. "From the moment you were imprisoned, you should have realized that you and Yolanda could never be together! You're a criminal! In S City, you're just nobody, even worse than nobody! You'll only bring her more harm!"
Michael knew how difficult these six years had been for Yolanda. She had stood by her promise to him and refused to marry anyone else. He spoke with unwavering determination, "I'm back now, and I won't leave Yolanda again. I'll give her a brilliant future."
Nate and Eileen burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Nate mocked him, "Michael, don't blame me for being blunt, but after six years in prison, what do you have to offer Yolanda for her future?"
Eileen chimed in, "Yes, besides empty promises, what else do you have? You don't even have a degree."
But Michael remained steadfast. "Don't worry. Those people will apologize before me one by one. In a month, the Heckers will be destroyed at my hands."
At this point, Yolanda couldn't hold back any longer. She shouted angrily, "Michael, can you stop talking about nonsense? You just got out of prison. You should be taking things step by step. I believe you can succeed, but stop spouting this nonsense! Do you have any idea how powerful the Heckers have become? The world is nothing like it was six years ago!"
Michael's face grew serious. "Yolanda, you have to trust me. I promise I can make the Heckers apologize."
But Yolanda's patience had worn thin.
She suddenly handed Michael her phone and said, "Fine, since you're so powerful, why don't you make them apologize right now? Let's see how you do it!"
Michael fell silent. He had the power to destroy the Heckers, but he had already given them a month. He couldn't go back on his word.
The promise from the war god was not one to be broken so easily, which could lest he become a laughingstock.
"See? You can't do it! Stop boasting!" Yolanda threw her phone to the floor in frustration and expressed her deep disappointment and anger.
Nate and Eileen hurriedly pushed Michael again, urging him, "Hurry up and leave! You're not welcome here. We have a family dinner to attend!"
But Yolanda interrupted, "No, Mom, Dad, let him stay."
Nate and Eileen were confused. "What do you mean, Yolanda?"
"I won't remarry. My husband has returned to me," Yolanda said firmly.
In the end, despite their protests, Nate and Eileen couldn't sway their daughter's determination and reluctantly agreed to let Michael stay.
Yolanda led Michael to their bedroom and spoke to him gently, "Since you've returned, you're still my husband. I don't care about those nasty rumors. I believe you're innocent. The Heckers' conspiracy is clear as day."
Michael's heart warmed at her unwavering belief in him. It was enough to keep his confidence alive.
"But you must promise me to start from the beginning, step by step. I believe you have the strength to succeed again. I'll give you five years," Yolanda said, her tone softer but resolute.
Michael smiled, full of confidence. "I don't need that long. Give me just one month, and I'll—"
"Stop! I don't want to hear any more of these unrealistic plans!" Yolanda interrupted, her patience at its limit. "Let's be practical. Even if you've lost everything now, as long as you work hard and start anew, I believe you'll regain your glory eventually."
Michael had no choice but to comply and fell silent.
Yolanda opened her wardrobe and took out a suit. "This is the one I bought for you six years ago. Put it on, and let's go to the family dinner."
Facing Yolanda's parents again, Michael could feel their displeasure, but Yolanda clung tightly to his arm and made it clear, "Mom, Dad, Michael is my husband now and always will be. Tonight, I will explain everything to Grandfather."
Nate and Eileen, although deeply disappointed in Michael, loved their daughter too much to argue further. They sighed and said, "We just hope our daughter will be happy."
At the Golden Harbor Restaurant, the Kunderas' family dinner was already underway. While the Kundera family wasn't as prominent as the Heckers, they were still a respected middle-class family in S City.
They had reserved the entire restaurant to flaunt their wealth and status.
However, when Nate, Eileen, Yolanda, and Michael walked into the hall, they were met with countless strange and mocking stares.
In the past, Yolanda's marriage to Michael had brought great prestige to Nate's family within the Kunderas.
However, after Michael's reputation was ruined, Nate's standing in the Kunderas plummeted to become the lowest in the family.
Whenever they met relatives, they couldn't avoid being ridiculed.
"Is the man next to Yolanda Michael?"
"Yes, did he get out of prison?"
Instantly, countless eyes turned toward Michael.
Kenny Kundera, the head of the Kunderas family, glanced at Michael and the others, but pretended not to see them.
Now, his favorite was his eldest son, Ryan Kundera.
Especially since Ryan's son-in-law, Andrew Koons, came from a powerful background.
Kenny had arranged for Yolanda to marry Andrew's younger brother.
No one paid attention to Nate's family, so they had to find a seat on their own.
Just as they were about to sit down, Xavier Kundera, Kenny's second son, said, "Wait, you can't sit here."
Nate, feeling confused, asked, "Why?"
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