Chapter 11

If Marvin could get away with beating Raymond to a bloody pulp without facing any legal consequences, he genuinely would have pummeled Raymond's face to a pulp—perhaps even to death.

However, a brawl would only bring him misery. If even a single punch landed on Raymond's face, the police and the Harvard family's elite defense lawyers would descend upon the Winston residence tonight without a shadow of a doubt.

Everyone in the house had been utterly astounded by Marvin's words all evening. They were anxious, jittery, and terrified that members of the Harvard family would soon arrive to slap them with devastating lawsuits.

“Before we wait for tomorrow, let's settle our business first, Raymond!” Marvin said, lifting his shoe and holding out the sole. “I hope it tastes like chocolate. You surely like chocolate, don't you?”

Raymond Harvard was startled, his eyes widening in shock. Veins thudded against his forehead as his anger reached a boiling point. “You! How insolent!” he growled, sneering viciously.

Marvin raised his foot a bit higher and said firmly, “If you’re truly a man, prove it right now! Your good friend Russel surely hasn't lost his memory—yesterday, we made a wager. If Winsoil secured a month's supply of crude oil, you agreed to lick the sole of my shoe.”

Given the towering prestige of the Harvard name across the entire nation, Raymond found this entirely unacceptable. It was crystal clear that Marvin’s words were a massive, humiliating slap in the face right in front of the Winston family!

Derick and Elena were frantic with worry. If a group of enforcers from Harvard showed up later, the two of them planned to dump all the blame squarely onto Marvin alone. The Winston family would wash their hands of it completely.

“Bear the consequences of your own actions, Marvin! If you end up back in prison, don't you dare drag the Winston family down with you!” Derick barked, his face twisted with anxiety. His wife didn't dare utter a single word, terrified of saying the wrong thing.

Seeing the explosive rage on Raymond's face, Russel stood up and began pacing nervously around the living room. He was completely on edge. In his mind, Marvin was unquestionably headed back to prison for a second time.

Every now and then, he glanced over to study Marvin's calm, composed expression. *Ever since getting out of prison, this guy has only gotten bolder,* he thought to himself. *Has he completely lost his mind?*

Gennifer grew more distraught by the second. Honestly, she didn't want her husband pulling such foolish stunts and dragging himself back into suffering like before.

If Marvin were thrown back behind bars, Gennifer would be utterly crushed. Marvin's words and actions were undeniably reckless. She wanted to feel angry at him, but her heart was too weak and full of love.

Not so for Axel. Though he remained silent, he observed everything closely. He firmly believed that there was a solid reason behind Marvin's staggering courage. Ever since they first met, Axel had never known Marvin to talk nonsense, even when joking around.

Russel couldn't keep still. “Stop this right now, Marvin! We’ve told you repeatedly, show some respect to Raymond!”

Marvin stood up again. “Brother-in-law, if he showed respect toward me, toward my wife, and toward your family, I would naturally respect him! He hands out cheap flowers and cheap rings—isn't that a direct insult to me and the Winston family?”

Everyone fell silent.

“Yes, we have to admit that Harvard Corp has played a huge role in supporting Rock Electra and Winsoil. We should be grateful! But let me tell you something: in their eyes, we are nothing more than donkeys! Do you all want to keep being treated like pack animals forever?”

What was Marvin saying? Wasn't that exact thought the festering thorn in the hearts of every single business owner in Chemisland? Yet, all of them had always been too terrified to speak out! Today, the true heir of the Rock family dared to say it out loud!

“Just because of their wealth, we shouldn't just bow down and obey blindly! Right now, I want to prove to the world that the Harvard family doesn't have the right to do whatever they please!”

What an awe-inspiring speech. This was the mark of a true leader destined to bring about change. Just as many had predicted, Marvin was poised to spark a massive transformation not just for his family, but for the world!

“I will not accept Crown Prince Raymond of Harvard trying to steal my wife! To me, this is a grave insult. A truly wealthy man should have integrity, not act as a home-wrecker stealing another man's wife!”

Raymond’s ears burned red with fury. “Shut your mouth! It won't be very funny if, after barely two days of breathing fresh air, you get dragged right back behind bars. So before your fate turns tragic, you'd better keep quiet!”

Marvin sat back down and propped his feet up onto the table. “Lick the sole of my shoe, now!” he commanded.

*CRACK!*

Russel flew into a rage and slammed his fist onto the table. “Marvin! Stop it! I deeply regret having a delusional, know-it-all brother-in-law like you!”

Marvin flared up as well. Memories of his agonizing suffering in prison flooded his mind—and none of it would have happened were it not for these two.

He decided to lay it all out in the open. “Because of the two of you! All the evidence we gathered makes it crystal clear—you two were the masterminds.” Marvin then swept his gaze across each member of the Winston family one by one. “Let me remind you once more: I went to prison entirely because of Raymond and Russel!”

Then, Marvin laid out the details at length. “Yet, they walked away scot-free thanks to the judge's verdict. Justice in this country is far too cheap for the wealthy—a little cheaper, even, than red roses and white gold rings!” Marvin mocked, venting his pent-up fury.

Marvin wanted to settle accounts on a grand scale, but yesterday’s and today’s chats were merely the opening acts. Soon, there would be a deluge of astonishing surprises delivered with bold, unyielding courage.

Though it sounded idealistic, Marvin was fiercely ambitious and exceptionally brilliant, highly skilled in complex engineering and advanced sciences. Dealing with Raymond and Russel was child's play compared to what he studied during his university years—provided he had ample capital.

He didn't need years to prove it. In a mere two days, a massive victory was already in sight. Yet, Marvin refused to be arrogant, lifting his chin to the sky like Raymond.

He acted this way solely to settle scores and enact retribution, teaching them a lesson so they would acknowledge their wrongdoings. Marvin’s intimidation was merely a stimulus to provoke the crown prince’s temper. Marvin smiled with amusement as he watched Raymond boil over with rage.

Straightening his posture, Raymond forced a facade of bravado. “I don't believe for a second that you bought that Gloriest Blossom or shipped that crude oil to Winsoil! Show me proof!”

Marvin squared his shoulders and replied, “What's the use? Even if I hand you undeniable proof, you still won't act like a true man! You still won't lick the sole of my shoe, Raymond!”

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, especially since Marvin's right foot hadn't budged from the table. He deliberately acted slightly impolite, stoking the flames of conflict simply to humiliate the arrogant young master.

Slowly, Raymond adjusted his seating position. He leaned his back against the couch, exhaling a faint breath. A sheen of cold sweat broke out across his forehead. Having watched Marvin's expressions all evening, he realized this man wasn't just bluffing.

Marvin continued, “If I fail to produce the proof, I’ll lick the soles of your shoes ten times—both left and right!”

Though slightly jittery, Raymond steeled himself. “Fine! It's a deal!”

With that, Marvin pulled out his phone and dialed the vendor of the Gloriest Blossom.

*Tuuutt... Tuuutt...*

It didn't connect.

After three minutes of trying, it still failed to connect.