The Amazing Son-in-Law: Chapters 51-55

Chapter 51

Douglas's new restaurant, located in Aurouss Hill's newly developed area, was quite far from the city and sparsely populated. Charlie Wade found this location unusual.

Claire Wilson explained that many large manufacturing companies, including multinationals like Foxconn, were establishing businesses in the redevelopment zone, ensuring future prosperity. Therefore, Douglas's choice to open a restaurant there was shrewd and forward-thinking.

Douglas's restaurant, "The Charm," occupied two floors at the corner of a wide new road. Its size and name suggested a sophisticated concept.

When Charlie arrived, several cars were parked outside, and a group of people—Charlie's former college classmates, though not close friends—were gathered around a gold BMW, smoking and chatting.

Charlie recognized Clinton Tucker, the group's apparent leader, a wealthy college acquaintance who had unrequited feelings for Claire. Clinton was showing off his new BMW, basking in his friends' admiration.

"Clinton, you're a champ! You've got a BMW already? I think that's a 540? Top-spec 5 Series?"

Clinton boasted, "Haha, this 540 is just seven or eight hundred thousand dollars! My daily driver, no big deal."

"Damn! A 540? The most expensive imported 5 Series!"

"Sigh, I can't even afford the down payment on a BMW 1 Series. Clinton, you're amazing!"

"Clinton, your career must be really successful, right?"

Clinton smiled smugly. "Nah, it's just okay. The handling and acceleration are pretty solid; I haven't found anything faster yet."

(Internal monologue from Charlie): If only I could afford a BMW. My girlfriend always looks down on me for not having a nice car.

Suddenly, someone spotted another BMW approaching.

"Wow, another BMW! Is it one of our classmates, too?"

"Oh my god! Is that Charlie Wade, the loser?!"

"I think the woman in the passenger seat is Claire Wilson! It must be her car, not his."

Clinton's face fell upon seeing Charlie. "Oh, it's that bastard! Damn it, he's so lucky!"

"Hey, what model is he driving?"

Charlie parked his car. Clinton sneered upon seeing the "520" badge. "Huh, a 520, the cheapest 5 Series! Only a pretentious loser like him would drive this."

His friend agreed. "Clinton, yours is the top-spec 5 Series, his is the base model. Yours must be far superior."

Clinton scoffed. "I could buy two of his cars with the price of mine!"

"Clinton, you're the best!"

Meanwhile, Claire and Loreen exited the car and walked toward the restaurant.

"Wow, two of our beauties!"

Chapter 52

Claire and Loreen greeted everyone warmly. Clinton seethed, watching Claire's radiant beauty. He had pursued her in college, only to be ignored. She married a "loser," he thought bitterly.

"Damn it, why?! God must be blind!"

He sneered at Charlie. "Hey, Charlie Wade, you seem to be living well since marrying Claire! You even drive a BMW now! Did Claire buy it for you? You're the poster boy for a toyboy!"

Claire bristled. Loreen retorted, "Clinton, that's wrong. Charlie bought the car himself."

"Wow!" Clinton stammered. "Amazing, you can afford a BMW 5 Series now!"

He proposed a race. "Hey, the road here is straight and wide. Let's race to see who's faster."

Charlie frowned, annoyed at Clinton's malice. (Internal monologue): Why can't you leave me alone? I don't want anything to do with you. Besides, whose car is faster than mine? This is a BMW 760, the fastest and most expensive BMW! I'd be a bully to accept this challenge.

Clinton misconstrued Charlie's silence as apprehension. "Hey, Charlie Wade, still the same coward as in college? It won't use much gas. I'll pay for a full tank."

Loreen protested. "Clinton, your car is a 540, Charlie's is a 520! There's a huge difference in engine power. This isn't fair."

Clinton shrugged. "It depends on the driver's skill! A great car doesn't guarantee speed. It's about skill and courage. I wonder if Charlie Wade has the guts? I understand if he doesn't. He's always been a loser."

His friends chimed in, "Yeah, Clinton! Just say it if you're scared, there's nothing to be ashamed of."

Charlie smiled. "I don't mind a race, but where's the fun without a bet? Let's make it interesting."

Clinton, fearing Charlie would refuse, eagerly agreed. "Let's bet— whoever loses kneels and apologizes. What do you say?"

Charlie shook his head. "That's childish. We're adults. Let's think of something more mature."

Douglas arrived, carrying a large stack of fireworks. "Hey Charlie, you're here!"

Charlie greeted him. "Douglas, congratulations on your new restaurant!"

"Thanks, pal."

Clinton interrupted. "Charlie Wade, don't change the subject. What's your idea?"

Douglas asked, "What's going on here?"

Charlie pointed to the fireworks. "Doug, how long are these firecrackers?"

"Three meters!" Douglas chuckled. "They weren't cheap; I spent over six hundred dollars on them!"

Charlie turned to Clinton. "I have an idea. Let's race, and whoever loses, we put the fireworks in their car and light them. What do you think?"

Chapter 53

Clinton was thrilled. He knew his 540 would win easily. He was excited by Charlie's audacity.

"Guys, you'll be witnesses! We'll race, and whoever loses puts the fireworks in their car and lights them!"

He added, "And if anyone breaks the bet, their whole family dies!"

The onlookers cheered. More classmates rushed out. Twenty or thirty people gathered, anticipating Charlie's defeat. They thought Charlie was foolish to challenge Clinton's 540 with his 520.

Claire tried to stop Charlie. "Charlie, he's doing this on purpose. Don't be provoked."

Charlie smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, my dear, your husband won't lose."

Clinton laughed. "Oh wow, Charlie Wade, I admire your nerve!"

"Okay," Charlie said. "How do we start?"

Clinton pointed to the intersection. "We start together, go to the end of the road, then turn around. Whoever crosses the line first wins."

Charlie smiled confidently. "No problem!"

Clinton excitedly announced the start of the race. He and Charlie positioned their cars side-by-side.

A spectator volunteered to count down. Charlie activated the sport mode on his BMW 760. The 760 had a 6.6-liter, 585-horsepower engine; the 540 had a 3.0-liter, 340-horsepower engine—a significant difference.

Unknown to Clinton, Charlie's "520" was actually a top-spec 760.

"Ready! 3, 2, 1, go!"

Clinton floored the accelerator, eager to humiliate Charlie. He was shocked to see Charlie's "520" instantly pull ahead.

Chapter 54

Clinton was dumbfounded. His 540 should have been far superior! The spectators were equally astonished. Charlie had effortlessly overtaken Clinton.

By the time Clinton reached the intersection, Charlie was already back at the starting line. Charlie had won decisively.

Clinton was devastated. "What the hell is going on?!" He accused Charlie of using a modified car.

Charlie smirked. "You said skill and courage were more important than specs, remember? Since you lost, you want to go back on your word?"

Clinton panicked. "No, I don't! You cheated, it's not fair!"

Loreen scoffed. "Clinton, you're breaking your promise! Don't forget what you said— whoever breaks the bet, their whole family dies!"

The onlookers rebuked Clinton for his reneging.

A woman commented, "We always thought you were manly and responsible. I didn't know you were a coward who goes back on your word!"

Another added, "He's a hypocrite! If Charlie lost, he wouldn't let him off so easily!"

Clinton's face flushed. He knew the consequences of igniting the fireworks in his new car.

Charlie intervened, "Clinton, we're all friends. Some jokes shouldn't be taken seriously. Your car is expensive, so if you don't want to do it, let's forget it."

Clinton was relieved. However, the onlookers praised Charlie's generosity while criticizing Clinton's behavior.

Clinton, determined to save face, growled, "Who says I'm a sore loser? Where are the fireworks? I'll keep my promise!"

Charlie smiled subtly.

Chapter 55

Clinton had lost his composure. He grabbed the fireworks, threw them into his BMW, and lit them.

"Look, everyone! I'm not a sore loser! I don't need Charlie Wade's sympathy!"

The fireworks exploded, setting the car ablaze. Clinton screamed in panic as flames engulfed his BMW. He called the firefighters, but by the time they arrived, only the chassis remained.

Clinton collapsed, heartbroken. He regretted ever challenging Charlie.

Douglas, amused, gave Charlie a thumbs up and invited Clinton to dinner.

Clinton wanted to leave, but he couldn't allow Charlie to win completely. He had to salvage his reputation.

He stood up, cleared his throat, and said, "There's nothing to be sad about. A bet is a bet, I'm just keeping my word."

His friends quickly added, "Clinton is so rich, what's a BMW to him anyway?"

"Yes! It's just his daily driver!"

They entered the restaurant for the opening ceremony. Banquet tables were set up, and banners celebrated the reunion and the restaurant's opening.