Chapter 7: He’s the Evil Mother-in-Law Who Breaks Up Lovers

Late at night, as Jane turned over in her sleep, she suddenly recalled the redness in Evan's eyes earlier and found herself unable to fall back asleep. So, she kicked Rick awake.

Rick turned over, pulled his wife into his arms, and soothingly rubbed her back, still half-asleep. "What's wrong? Can't sleep?"

"I was just thinking about Evan," Jane murmured. "He got so carsick he turned pale, and yet he still went to pick us up from the airport. That kid even cried today."

"Mhm."

"Do you think we've been too hard on him?"

The more Jane thought about it, the more it didn't sit right with her. "Look how hurt he was."

"We've given him a comfortable life—food, clothes, everything. What more does he want?" Rick's voice gained clarity as he rubbed his eyes and studied Jane's face. "Or… are you actually thinking of accepting him as your own son now? Letting go of what happened back then—ow, ow, ow!"

Jane released the pinch she had on the soft flesh at his waist. "Don't act like it had nothing to do with you. You're the one who stirred up all that mess back then."

Rick immediately caved. "It was my fault. I was wrong."

Silence settled again. After a long while, Jane suddenly said, "But except for us and Hane, everyone thinks Evan is my biological son—even Evan himself."

After all, it was a disgraceful scandal. The Wells family never made it public that Evan was an illegitimate child. They simply said he was Jane's son born overseas.

"But now that it's come to this, he's going to find out sooner or later. We should find the right time to sit down and talk to him." Rick gently patted her back. "Go to sleep. Big day tomorrow. Don't want you getting dark circles."

Jane turned her back to him, annoyed for reasons she couldn't articulate, and fell asleep with a heart full of worries.

Meanwhile, Evan was lying in bed reading the latest update of a story: the two Sinclair brothers were fighting again.

The reason? As usual, Theo couldn't stand Senso.

After dinner, Yeon had been reading in his study when Theo once again brought up that the two of them might not be a good match. Yeon exploded on the spot.

"I just don't get it—what's so wrong with Senso? You see him as all flaws and no merits," Yeon said, his face flushed with anger.

"I'm just stating the facts. You two are from completely different worlds. Why can't you consider that?"

"You don't even know him!"

"No, I don't. But I know you. You two have fundamentally different values. There's bound to be conflict down the road."

"So you're looking down on poor people now?" Yeon had always been obedient in front of his brother, but not this time.

"He's not like you—he didn't have everything handed to him at birth. He never had the chance to become CEO of some big company. Why are you always targeting him? If you were in his shoes, you wouldn't necessarily be any better."

"Can you calm down? I'm not looking down on Senso. But you've lived such different lives—your views don't align. You drop four or five figures on shoes like it's nothing. How would he feel about that? You guys might be getting along now, but can you guarantee resentment won't grow in the future?"

"Even if it ends someday, that's between us. It's none of your business—do you get that?!"

Evan furrowed his brows as he finished reading, then shut his phone with a snap, not even bothering to check the comment section.

"What is this even."

[Just following the plot, that's all. Theo's whole role is to break up lovebirds like the evil mother-in-law he is. Of course they'd fight.]

"He really wanted to break them up, he should've just sent a few people to go intimidate Senso. This long-winded lecturing? Useless."

Evan added, "But Yeon does have a point. This is between the couple. Theo really is meddling too much."

[He's a hardcore workaholic. What would he know about reckless, all-consuming love? He dies alone in the original novel too. Probably still single now.]

"Anyone that could catch his eye must be insanely amazing." Evan sighed. "Enough of this. Gotta sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow to fry dough sticks."

[Don't forget tomorrow night's banquet. You'll get a random mission.]

"I know, I know."

Theo surprisingly came home early that day. His mother, Mrs. Sinclair, was putting on makeup. When she saw him, she lifted half her sheet mask. "You're home early today?"

"Wrapped things up at work." Theo glanced around. "That kid didn't come home today?"

"Huh? Didn't he go to the company with you?"

"We argued. Haven't seen him since morning." Theo took off his suit jacket, sat on the sofa, and grabbed a glass of sparkling wine off the table. He took a sip. "Too sweet."

"Oh, so you two fought." Mrs. Sinclair immediately guessed the cause. The brothers had been arguing over that matter constantly. She hadn't pried into the details but asked curiously, "So he skipped work today—are you docking his pay?"

"Of course. He's lost his full attendance bonus. And I didn't approve any paid leave."

Mrs. Sinclair clicked her tongue. "So Yeon isn't coming home tonight. Where could he go? You don't think he's in danger, do you?"

"Where could he go? Don't worry. He's a grown man. Not like someone's going to kidnap him." Theo turned to the butler. "This wine's not bad—just too sweet. Don't buy it again."

"That was homemade by Evan. Your Aunt Jane had someone send some over for us to try."

The mention of Evan immediately struck a nerve in Theo. He still held the wineglass, but after downing the last sip, a subtle smile touched his lips.

That complicated kid from the Wells family.

"But don't push Yeon too hard. He's in the honeymoon phase right now. Of course he's going to be sensitive." Mrs. Sinclair said, "If he's really serious about this, why not let him try?"

"He's just obsessed right now. The other guy doesn't even like him back. Chasing someone like that never ends well. And…" Theo paused. "Yeon isn't exactly consistent. If he really turns Senso, and then loses interest later, what happens to Senso? His family isn't well-off. He doesn't have the luxury of making mistakes."

"I know you're just looking out for him." Mrs. Sinclair sighed. "One of you only cares about business, the other's a lovesick fool. When will you two find some middle ground? When will you come home and tell me you finally like someone?"

Theo chuckled. "Mom, now you're really reaching."

"Looks like only you will be accompanying me to the Wells family banquet tonight." Mrs. Sinclair took out two rings from her jewelry box and held them under the light. Finally, she gave up and asked, "Which one looks better?"

Theo casually pointed to one.

Evan had never worn a suit before. He felt like he was covered in thorns—couldn't even enjoy a cupcake properly, terrified the cream would drip onto his clothes.

"Mountain hogs can't handle fine grain," Evan muttered to the system. "Old man vests from online sales still feel the best."

"I'm starving. These little snacks aren't filling at all. Why is there no rice? Can I go to the kitchen and ask for a bowl?"

Still grumbling, he dipped a skewer of fruit into the chocolate fountain. The banana was coated in thick chocolate, and one bite filled his mouth with flavor.

"This is so good."

[System: Host, you've been standing here for half an hour. Don't you think it's a bit much?]

"Not at all," Evan shook his head and popped another piece of kiwi coated in chocolate into his mouth. "I've only ever seen chocolate fountains on TV before. This is my first time actually eating from one. When I buy a house in the future, I have to install a chocolate fountain at home—so I can eat it every day."

"You're gonna what every day?"

"Huh?" Evan was startled to find Hane had overheard him talking to himself. "I mean, this chocolate fountain's nice and all, but it's not healthy to have too much. Definitely not something to eat every day."

"Why have you been talking to yourself so much lately?" Hane picked up a glass of wine from the table beside him.

Evan scratched his nose and stayed quiet. While he could communicate with the system silently, it required intense focus—and honestly, it got exhausting. So when no one was around, he'd mutter to the system out loud. But clearly, that habit was catching up with him.

"Stop snacking here. Go mingle with the guests. You've cleared out half the buffet."

"Oh." Evan picked up a glass of wine and was about to wander off when he suddenly saw Theo walking toward him.

[Ding! Mission triggered—Counterattack of the Cannon Fodder! The readers have deep resentment toward the evil mother-in-law who breaks up lovers. Host, give him a taste of his own medicine—spill the drink on him!]

Evan froze, wine glass in hand.

Help! System, do you even hear the words coming out of your mouth?!