RISE OF THE DESPISED SON-IN-LAW

Have You Been Treated This Way?!

Chapter Four

"What do you mean by that?"

The chairman asked, raising an eyebrow at her, quizzically. The others, except her mother were also giving her puzzled looks but Blair ignored them all, and instead gave them a haughty look.

Patricia, however, gently pinched her arm and drew Blair to her side, "Its nothing," she uttered, her eyes darting nervously from side to side. She cleared her throat and faced the chairman, "However, I think its cruel that you'd hold back my daughter's inheritance because of this bum."

"I have said what I said and that's it." The chairman replied in a tone of finality, that Patricia could not dare to say another word.

The chairman looked round at them but no further protest was forthcoming from anyone of them, so he nodded satisfactorily.

"Today is a memorable day and we've wasted half the morning on this nonsense." he said in a disgruntled voice before turning to his assistant, "Jordan, get the family doctor over here ASAP to tend to Nolan's wounds."

"Yes sir," Jordan replied and was about to step out but Nolan's voice stopped him.

"No, that's okay. I have to see to today's breakfast and making seaweed soup for Blair," he muttered in a small voice, smiling shyly at her, "Happy birthday, Blair."

It was at that moment everyone remembered it was her birthday, even her parents. Blair rolled her eyes, however, and folded her arms in discontentment.

"Wow, what a devoted husband." Chairman Fernandez praised the young man, then turned to shake his head at his son, "See how he cares about your daughter and all you can think about is beating him up? What a shameful son."

Joshua averted his gaze defiantly, eyeing Nolan with anger a few times. The Chairman laughed delightedly as he led Nolan out, "Come, my lovely grandson inlaw." He said with pride, "Even though you must do your chef duties and make your wife's birthday special, let's get you treated first, okay?"

They walked out leaving Blair and her parents inside the room. Blair immediately broke down in tears, "Mom, dad, I can't do this anymore" she muttered in tears, "I can't stand him. I'm not proud of my marriage. I want to be with Ethan."

"Shush, my dear. Don't let your grandfather hear you." Patricia said, patting her daughter's shoulders affectionately.

"But why does grandfather hate me so much?" Blair complained, "I've realized my mistake now and I want to be with Ethan. You know him, daddy, don't you? He's a million times better than that loser, Nolan. But why is grandfather so stubborn?!"

Joshua sighed, "Don't worry, princess." Je said, assuredly, "When you get the award today, he'll have no choice, but to grant your wish as he promised. Push for the divorce again and you'll get to be with Ethan forever."

Blair sniffed as her eyes took on a sinister look, "Even if I don't win an ward, I must be with Ethan." She uttered as she clenched her fists tightly, "Grandfather is really getting on my nerves and with time, he'll know that his granddaughter is not to be easily trifled with."

Her parents looked at each other in puzzlement, then at her, unsure of what to make of the look in their daughter's eyes. It was so cold that it sent a shiver down their spine.

Meanwhile, as soon as Nolan was treated he got busy as usual with helping the chefs prepare the meals for the day. He prepared breakfast for the family and also made seaweed soup specially for Blair for her birthday, as was the tradition in their country.

Soon after, the entire family came down to have breakfast and Nolan watched eagerly to see how Blair would react to his soup. However, he was disappointed as she did not even glance at it.

She was on her phone the whole time and only ate bits of what the other chefs prepared. The rest of the family, however, wolfed down Nolan's food, shamelessly. They did not even stop to think that it was the same person, whose life they'd almost taken that morning with beating.

The chairman finished with his meal and looked around in satisfaction. His gaze landed on his family who had also finished their meals, but didn't bother to thank who made it.

"Oh, how shameless!" He spat out and they looked at him disgruntled, "How come you can't even appreciate the cook who made your meal?"

"Well, he was just making himself useful," Patricia said, sniffing haughtily, "Why should we praise him?"

"Besides, the meal is not even that good." Joshua put in, pushing away his empty plate on disgust, "I almost barfed while eating it."

"Wipe your mouth first before you talk." The chairman retorted, pointing at food stains on Joshua's mouth and shirt which showed that he'd definitely enjoyed the meal, "You almost barfed but you emptied your plates?!"

Joshua looked embarrassed and he cleared his throat a fee times to hide it. To be sincere, Nolan did not care about their compliments at all. His eyes were on Blair to see if she'd eat the soup he made for her.

The chairman glared at Blair, who had ignored them all along and continued pressing her cellphone.

"Blair, aren't you going to try out the soup your husband made for you?" He asked her, sternly.

Blair rolled her eyes a little, before glaring back at her grandfather, "I don't eat things like this." She retorted pushing the plates away, then gave Nolan a disdainful look, "He should know if he cared about me at all. Do you think I can maintain my beauty if I eat things like this?"

Nolan was crushed, "It was your birthday so I just thought..." he trailed off in a lowered voice and the chairman felt bad for him.

"Can't you just have a bite out of appreciation?" He scolded Blair, "Why are you like this?"

"Grandfather, just get off my back!" Blair retorted rudely, as she pushed her chair back and stormed out of the dining room. Her parents smiled smugly and followed her, while the chairman shook his head at such uncultured behavior.

Nolan felt his chest constrict with pain at this gesture of his wife, but he did not let it get to him.

"She will definitely be happier once I give her the birthday gift," he muttered to himself to lift his spirits, as he helped the maids to clear the dishes from the table.

Soon, he was ready to leave the house to start another day of job seeking. As soon as he stepped out into the terrace of the huge house, he heard someone call his name excitedly.

"Nolan!"

Nolan looked at the direction where the voice came from and was delighted to see his Aunt Claire. She ran towards him and hugged him tight. Aunt Claire was Nolan's only surviving family and was the one who had raised him when he lost his parents to death.

"How's my darling nephew?" She asked as soon as she let go of him.

Nolan smiled broadly, "I'm doing great." He replied, "But what are you doing here, Aunt Claire?"

Before his aunt could reply, the door opened behind them and Blair and her parents stepped out. They were all dressed fashionably and were going to pass by Nolan and his aunt, as if they did not exist.

However, Aunt Claire rushed and took Blair's hand cordially, "Blair, how are you? My God, you're looking very beautiful!" She gushed in joy over the younger girl who looked affronted.

"What is this vermin?!" Blair shrieked in disgust, as she swung her arm away from Aunt Claire, "How dare you touch me?!"

"Are you out of goddamn mind?! Why would you touch my daughter with your dirty, country side hands?!" Patricia yelled as well and Aunt Claire was so taken aback, that she staggered a few steps back.

"Blair, Mom..." Nolan tried to say something, but Aunt Claire held him back.

"I..I am so sorry" She stammered, looking down in shame, "I was just so happy to see you and since it was your birthday, I got something for you."

She produced a package that showed a splendid, little cake. She extended it to Blair, smiling happily, "It's for you. I made it myself."

Blair scoffed as she suddenly grabbed the cake from the woman's hand, "I don't need your beggar like cake, you country hag!" She screamed and smashed the cake right into the elderly woman's face, to Nolan's horror.