"Dad, I'm really trying. Please give me some more time; I will definitely make progress," Harry said with a helpless smile, trying to compromise.
Faced with his domineering father-in-law, Harry, who hadn't been able to earn much money, couldn't even lift his head confidently to respond.
"Trying? Trying at what? I don't see you trying at all! The last time I talked to you about this, you gave the same excuse. And now? Look at yourself! Do you know what people are saying about you now? They call you a useless son-in-law, a freeloader! My daughter is so outstanding—how did she end up with someone like you?"
The more Warren looked at Harry, the more dissatisfied he became. Fueled by the alcohol, his face slightly flushed, he scolded Harry in front of everyone.
"Dad, stop it! Harry hasn't spent a penny of your money. He might not be making much right now, but he's working hard. Can't you give him some time?" Wanda frowned, speaking up for her husband, clearly upset.
"He hasn't spent my money? Ha! Where do you think the food he eats and the house he lives in come from? If he had to pay for everything himself, do you think his monthly income would be enough to get by? How can you expect to have a good life with someone like him?"
Warren glared at his daughter angrily and continued, "I'm saying this for your own good. Do you even know what the neighbors, relatives, and friends say about him? During the New Year's visits, I couldn't even hold my head high! Their sons and sons-in-law are managers and supervisors, earning tens of thousands every month. Look at him—what does he have to offer you?"
"Dad! Enough already..." Wanda shot Harry a sympathetic look and tried to stop her father.
"Alright, alright! It's rare for the family to gather for a meal; let's not ruin it today!" Hazel, who had developed a slightly better impression of Harry after the earlier incident, spoke up in his defense. "Our Harry isn't so bad—at least he's honest and treats us well."
"Hmph!"
Seeing that Harry remained silent with his head down, Warren lost interest in continuing his scolding. He took another swig of white wine and stopped criticizing him.
Harry didn't say a word, but under the table, his hands were clenched into tight fists.
Over the past year as a live-in son-in-law, Harry had grown accustomed to the biting sarcasm and public scolding that stripped him of any dignity.
As a son-in-law in this situation, he could only endure, pouring all his hopes into his novels. He worked like a madman, day and night, tirelessly striving to prove himself through his writing.
But reality was cruel. His first profitable book didn't do well, and his new attempts were repeatedly rejected for not aligning with "positive energy" themes.
Over the past six months, he achieved nothing. His final savings were nearly depleted.
Without the system, Harry might have surrendered today, agreeing to his father-in-law's demands, giving up his dreams of writing, and resigning himself to a life of mediocrity in a factory job.
But now, things were different.
The system gave Harry hope—a chance to turn the tables, reclaim his dignity, and prove his worth!
Harry silently vowed that every bit of humiliation and ridicule he endured today would one day be repaid doubly to those who belittled him!
"Dad, I have something to discuss with you and Mom..." At this moment, Clara suddenly spoke up.
"I'm about to graduate, and I want to participate in the internal talent show hosted by Tian Media to join their newly formed girl group. But this talent show is by invitation only, so someone has to recommend me. My teacher has agreed to recommend me, but… she's asking for a recommendation fee of 20,000 dollars..."
"What? A recommendation fee of 20,000 dollars? Is your teacher crazy for money? You haven't even been selected yet, and they're already asking for money?"
Hazel slapped the table in shock and scolded Clara angrily.
"No way. Tian Media? A girl group? It all sounds unreliable! I've heard that these so-called stars are just kept women! First, you give them money; later, they'll demand 'favors' from you! No way! I absolutely won't agree!"
"Mom! That's just gossip! Not all stars are like that! Dancing and singing are my dreams! I have to go!" Clara stood up, her eyes blazing as she argued passionately.
"No way! I will never agree to you joining some girl group! It's not that your dad is unwilling to spend the money, but a place like that is not where a decent girl from a good family should go! Do you even know what people call those girl group idols? Prostitutes! If you dare to join a girl group, I'll cut ties with you! I can't afford to lose face like that!"
Warren slammed the table angrily and shouted firmly.
"I don't care!! I'm going no matter what!! If you won't help me, I'll figure it out on my own!!"
Clara's eyes were brimming with tears as she stood up, wiped her face, and stormed upstairs, slamming the door behind her.
"It's so rare for us to have a family meal, yet you all have to ruin it like this... I'm going upstairs to study." Elena stood up in annoyance and went upstairs without waiting for a reply.
Harry, who had completely lost his appetite, politely picked up his plate, muttered, "I'm done eating," then walked to the kitchen to set them down before heading out.