Chapter 4 The Mysterious Letter

Bracing himself, Jackson held her hand firmly as he spoke. All this time, he had endured everything in silence, fearing that if he ever lost control, his anger would spill over. His chest was already heaving with fury, but still he forced himself to stay calm.

The entire room fell silent at the sight of Jackson daring to stop Madam Ester's hand-his own mother-in-law's hand.

Seeing an opportunity to shine, Jacob leapt up and stormed over toward where Madam Ester, Jackson, and Jennyfer were standing.

"You filthy beggar! How dare you?!"

Smack!

Madam Ester slapped Jackson across the face with her free hand. Jackson didn't resist. He was used to his mother-in-law's blows, and he didn't mind them-as long as Jennyfer didn't suffer because of him.

Thud! Thump!

Suddenly, Jacob threw a punch at Jackson's face and followed with a blow to his stomach. Caught off guard, Jackson staggered and fell hard to the floor.

"You worthless beggar! How dare you defy Aunt Ester?!" Jacob shouted, playing the hero while pretending to defend Madam Ester's honor.

"Brother Jacob?! Why did you hit my brother-in-law?!" Jennyfer cried out in shock, running to Jackson's side and crouching down beside him. Her heart seethed with rage-this wasn't the first time she had seen Jacob deliberately abuse her brother-in-law.

Jackson looked briefly at Brielle, then smiled. He tried to endure-not the sting of the slap or the pain of Jacob's punches. No, the real pain came from seeing the woman he loved treat him as if he didn't exist.

"It's okay, Jenny. Brother-in-law is fine," Jackson whispered with a faint smile before forcing himself to his feet and walking away, leaving behind the wealthy family that had always trampled on his dignity.

-

Night fell deeper. By now, Jackson had finally eaten dinner. It was only because Jennyfer insisted, after all the guests had left, that he had sat down to eat-even though earlier he had already been lying down in his room.

After dinner, Jackson helped Jennyfer clean up the kitchen before returning to his room, where he lay back down on his bed. His thoughts, however, were restless. He kept dwelling on the money that his sister-in-law had paid Jacob on his behalf. Somehow, he was sure that his wife had given Jacob's account number to Jennyfer.

In his hand, Jackson now held the letter that had been delivered earlier by his father's men. Inside wasn't just a handwritten letter from his father, but also several cards and important documents.

The words of the men echoed in his head: "Mr. President..."

Questions swirled endlessly in Jackson's mind. Why had his father entrusted him with so many cards and important documents? Especially after their falling out, when Jackson had stormed off in anger because his father planned to remarry-barely months after his mother's death. That betrayal had left Jackson furious and heartbroken.

As his thoughts drifted, Jackson suddenly heard a commotion nearby. It was coming from the room next door. He stepped out of his room and found himself standing in front of the door right beside his own.

"You think you're rich, huh?! How dare you pay off that worthless beggar's debt-the debt that he should've repaid himself!"

Silence. It was clear now-Madam Ester had just discovered the truth. And no doubt, it was Brielle, her beloved daughter, who had told her everything.

It was certain that Jennyfer only kept silent, not daring to answer at all. Yes, that had always been her habit.

"Useless child! Where did you get that much money, huh?! From where?! Did you steal Mother's money?!"

"No, Mother. That money was given to Jenny by Grandpa long ago. There's no way Jenny would steal from you."

This time, Jenny gathered her courage to answer the accusation made by her mother, Madam Ester.

"When did Grandpa give you that much money, huh?! He's been dead for almost two years! How could that money still exist?!"

"It's still here, Mother. Jenny never used it."

"How dare you talk back! Worthless child! Liar!"

Slap!

"Ahh! That hurts, Mother. Please don't do this. Jenny isn't lying to you."

Jennyfer's muffled sobs could now be heard, making Jackson's heartbeat pound faster in his chest.

"You'd better not be lying!"

Jackson froze, hearing his sister-in-law crying after being scolded and treated so harshly by her own mother-all because she had tried to help him.

Quickly, Jackson walked back into his room and quietly closed the door behind him.

Now, Jackson sat still, staring blankly as he turned several cards over and over in his broad palm.

Morning came. As usual, Jackson had finished all his chores at dawn, and now he was about to have breakfast before leaving for his father-in-law's palm oil plantation. But just as he began to eat, his mother-in-law stormed in and suddenly kicked the plate he was holding while sitting on the kitchen floor.

Crash!

It wasn't the sound that shocked Jackson, but the fact that his mother-in-law had suddenly treated him that way. Hadn't he finished all his chores this morning?!

"Useless beggar son-in-law! You worthless trash! Earn money and replace Jenny's money first before you dare to eat! How dare you spend my money! Do you know?! The money Jenny used was mine!"

Jackson stiffened, his mind instantly recalling the conversation he had overheard last night. Jenny had clearly said that it was her own money. Why was his mother-in-law twisting the facts now?

"Mother, enough. Don't be like this. Jenny will give you all of Jenny's money. Here, take Jenny's ATM card and passbook. Jenny doesn't have anything left."

Jenny rushed over, handing her mother the ATM card and passbook that her grandfather had given her when she was a child.

"Good! At least you know your place. All this money rightfully belongs to me. I've fed you since you were little, and now you dare to talk back? Move aside!"

Not only Jackson, but now Jennyfer too was berated by her own mother-and this was still early in the morning.

After taking what she wanted, Madam Ester left without looking back.

Jackson was stunned at what his sister-in-law had just done. Jennyfer then picked up some tissues to help Jackson after he gathered back his food. Luckily, the plate was plastic, so it hadn't broken.

"Forgive Mother, Brother-in-law. There's still another plate of breakfast on the table. Please eat that one."

Jackson's chest tightened again at her words. He wondered what kind of heart his sister-in-law had. How could such a fragile girl act so calmly after experiencing so many cruel things that should never have happened to her?

"No need, Jenny. That's for you. I'll eat outside later. I'll be going now."

With that, Jackson went into his room, then soon after walked out to take his tools for the plantation.

Just as he stepped out of the mansion, Jacob appeared with several of his neatly dressed friends in suits.

"Hey, worthless beggar! Where are you going?! Off to slave away at the plantation? Tsk tsk tsk... how pathetic your life is."

"Haha! Why not just be a toilet cleaner in my house instead? I'll pay you fifty bucks a month!"