The atmosphere in the living room of Villa Winston grew increasingly tense.
Marvin's arrival, which should have been good news, had instead turned into an endless argument.
Russel stared coldly at Marvin.
Marvin, meanwhile, didn't look away for even a second.
“I know you were involved in the case that sent me to prison.”
The words made the entire room fall abruptly silent.
Russel's expression changed.
“What did you say?”
“I have reason to suspect you.”
Marvin spoke calmly, but every word that left his mouth was firm.
“You and Raymond benefited the most from my downfall.”
Russel immediately let out a scornful laugh.
“You just got out of prison, and you're already hallucinating?”
“I'm not joking.”
“Then where's the proof?”
Marvin fell silent for a moment.
It was true. Up to this point, he still didn't have strong enough evidence to drag Russel before the court.
However, that didn't mean he would forget everything.
“One day, I'll uncover the truth,” Marvin said.
Russel snorted.
“If there was evidence, why didn't the court punish me?”
“Because someone was protecting you.”
Russel's face hardened.
But before the situation could get any worse, Derick cut in.
“Enough!”
Everyone turned to him.
Derick rose from his chair.
“I don't want to hear accusations like that in this house again.”
“But Dad—”
“No buts.”
Derick's tone was extremely firm.
“The court proceedings are over. That case is over too.”
Marvin clenched his hand beneath the table.
He knew his father-in-law didn't want to hear anything related to the past.
To this family, the only thing that mattered was the future of their business.
And that future was in danger.
Russel immediately took advantage of the situation.
He looked at Marvin with contempt.
“If you really cared about this family, you shouldn't have come here carrying new problems with you.”
Marvin narrowed his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“Winsoil is in a difficult situation.”
Russel leaned back against the sofa.
“Over the next three months, our company needs a new supply of crude oil. If we don't get it, operations will be disrupted, and the losses could be enormous.”
Marvin already knew that.
His father had even explained the situation to him the previous night.
“The Harvard family offered to help, didn't they?” Marvin asked.
Russel smiled.
“So you finally understand.”
“And the condition is that I leave this family.”
“If you already knew, why are you still asking?”
Gennifer immediately stood up.
“Russel!”
“I'm just stating the facts.”
Russel didn't feel guilty in the slightest.
To him, business interests were far more important than anyone's feelings.
For the past year, he had worked hard to keep Winsoil running. Numerous contracts had nearly fallen through. Numerous suppliers had pulled out.
Now, Harvard Corp was the only one capable of saving them.
That was why Russel wouldn't let anyone interfere with his plan.
Not even Marvin.
“I regret ever accepting you as my brother-in-law,” Russel said without hesitation.
The room fell silent again.
Gennifer looked furious.
But Marvin only smiled faintly.
“Then we're even.”
“What do you mean?”
“I also regret ever trusting you.”
Russel's face immediately darkened.
“How dare you.”
“I'm just stating the facts.”
“Marvin!”
Elena's shout rang through the room.
“You come into this house and insult my son?”
“I was only responding to what he said.”
“That's enough!”
Derick cut in again.
But this time, the anger had already filled the room.
Russel stood up.
Marvin stood as well.
The two of them stared at each other.
Neither was willing to back down.
“Listen carefully,” Russel said. “I don't care about all your conspiracy theories. All I know is that Winsoil needs help now.”
“And you want to sell your own sister to get that help?”
BANG!
Russel slammed his fist onto the table.
“Watch what you say!”
“Isn't that the truth?”
Marvin pointed toward Gennifer.
“You all know she's still my wife.”
No one answered.
Because everyone in the room understood that truth.
Marvin and Gennifer's marriage was still legally valid.
Yet for the sake of their business interests, some members of the Winston family chose to pretend they had forgotten that fact.
“I won't let anyone take advantage of Gennifer.”
Marvin's voice was low.
But that was precisely what made it feel even more dangerous.
Russel sneered.
“You talk as if you still have power.”
“I do.”
“What power?”
Russel let out a quiet laugh.
“Your family is struggling. Your company is short on funds. Your name is ruined. Your reputation is ruined too.”
He stepped closer.
“You can't even save yourself.”
Marvin didn't get angry.
Instead, he looked completely calm.
“I can save Winsoil.”
The statement made everyone freeze.
“What?”
Marvin looked at Russel.
“I said I can save Winsoil.”
Several seconds passed in silence.
Then Russel burst out laughing.
“Hahaha!”
Even Derick and Elena looked unable to believe it.
“With what?” Russel asked.
“With my own methods.”
“Don't make me laugh.”
“I'm serious.”
Russel shook his head.
“Marvin, you've really changed since getting out of prison.”
“Let's say I have.”
“Okay.”
Russel crossed his arms.
“If you're so confident, let's make a bet.”
Marvin stared at him.
“What kind of bet?”
“If you manage to solve Winsoil's problems within three months without Harvard Corp's help, I'll resign from my position as General Manager.”
The room erupted.
Even Derick was shocked to hear that.
“Russel!”
But Russel didn't care.
He kept his eyes on Marvin.
“And I'll support Gennifer as my replacement.”
Gennifer's eyes widened.
“Russel!”
But Russel wasn't finished.
“On the other hand, if you fail...”
He paused for a moment.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
“You have to divorce Gennifer.”
Gennifer's face immediately turned pale.
“No!”
Marvin fell silent.
Everyone waited for his answer.
Several seconds passed.
Then Marvin said,
“I accept.”
“Marvin!” Gennifer cried.
She immediately stood and grabbed her husband's arm.
“Don't do this.”
Her eyes were filled with worry.
“The stakes are too high.”
Marvin turned to her.
His gaze instantly softened.
“Trust me.”
“I do.”
“Then don't worry.”
“But—”
“I won't lose you.”
Those words left Gennifer speechless.
Marvin gently clasped her hand.
“You waited for me for an entire year.”
“Because I love you.”
“I know.”
Marvin smiled.
“And now it's my turn to protect you.”
Gennifer's heart began beating faster.
Meanwhile, across the room, Russel only snorted in annoyance.
To him, it was all empty talk.
Three months?
Even a major corporation would struggle to solve Winsoil's problems in such a short time.
And Marvin was supposed to do it?
A former prisoner who had only gotten out yesterday.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
But before Russel could say anything else, the sound of a car engine came from outside the villa.
Everyone turned toward the window.
A red Porsche stopped right in front of the house.
The car door opened.
A young man stepped out in an expensive suit.
In his hand was a carefully arranged bouquet of roses.
A confident smile adorned his face.
“Looks like an important guest has arrived,” Russel muttered.
Marvin recognized the man immediately.
Raymond Harvard.
The sole heir to Harvard Corp.
And one of the people Marvin had wanted to meet most since getting out of prison.
A few seconds later, the villa's front door opened.
Raymond walked in carrying the bouquet.
“Good morning, Winston family.”
His gaze quickly found Gennifer.
Then the smile on his face grew even wider.
“I hope I'm not too early.”
But when his eyes shifted to the other figure standing in the living room, he came to an abrupt stop.
The smile slowly vanished.
“Marvin?”
For the first time that morning, Raymond's expression changed.