Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

"She doesn't have the looks..."

"Mom!" Hansen Ruiz yelled, stopping his mother from saying any more.

The woman in his arms had already become furious because of his mother's rude words. This girl had always been sharp-tongued and unwilling to be bullied. With his mother speaking about her this way right in front of him, she was probably cursing even him in her heart.

So what if the Bailey Family were farmers? So what if their annual income was less than fifty thousand? So what if he supported the entire Bailey Family? As long as the Baileys were willing to let him, he could afford it! He believed that a family capable of raising a daughter like Rachel Bailey must have integrity. Even if Rachel were to marry the richest man in the world, the Baileys likely wouldn't accept their son-in-law's financial support.

His mother's attitude towards Rachel Bailey was simply an insult, as if Rachel wasn't even human.

"Mom, in the face of love, everyone is equal! I like Rachel, I love Rachel. Even if she were a beggar, I would still love her! I'm the one getting married! I'm the one who will spend a lifetime with her! You don't need to worry so much!" Hansen Ruiz's face turned gloomy, his tone growing increasingly chilling. He wrapped his arms around Rachel Bailey, rose to his feet, and glared coldly at his mother, growling sternly.

His mother was the matriarch, the empress dowager of the Ruiz Family. Everyone, from his father down to his younger brother, was under her control. That was why his father never dared to have an affair. If she found out, his father would likely be rendered impotent; his mother's stance on fidelity in her marriage was one of 'rather jade shattered than tile intact'—she would not tolerate betrayal. With such a dominant wife, if his father dared to stray, he'd truly be borrowing courage from the heavens.

However, he wouldn't let his mother manipulate him, nor could he show weakness before her; otherwise, she would only continue to make trouble for Rachel Bailey in the future.

"Hansen!" Mrs. Ruiz was also furious.

Her son, for the sake of an ordinary little woman, actually yelled at her!

She was absolutely livid!

"Mom, I'll say it again: I will make my own decisions about my marriage! I'm the one who has to live this life! Whether you like someone or not is your business; it has nothing to do with me. I will only marry the woman I choose! I'll overlook it this time out of respect for you being my mother, but this cannot happen again. If there is a next time, I'll dismantle the Ruiz Family. Then we'll see just how noble you can be without the Ruiz Family to back you up, and how you'll manage to look down on others then!"

At that moment, Hansen Ruiz seemed like Satan incarnate, straight from Hell; he was every bit as terrifying as his words suggested. He even threatened to destroy the Ruiz Family—his own family! He was protecting Rachel Bailey to such an extreme.

"Hansen Ruiz, you..." Mrs. Ruiz suddenly stood up, about to retort loudly, but when she met her son's icy gaze, her bravado instantly vanished. She could only mutter, "But that's your home too!"

"If that home can't accommodate my woman, then it's not my home!" Hansen Ruiz said coldly.

He had rarely lost his temper, from childhood until now. This time, his mother had truly infuriated him. Had it been any other woman, he might not have become so enraged for her sake, but Rachel Bailey was different. His feelings for her were genuine. He loved being with Rachel Bailey; he cherished the ease and freedom, and her witty eloquence brought vitality to his life. He felt she was the sun in his world, destined to illuminate his future.

Even if she didn't have a prestigious background or outstanding appearance, all he wanted was her heart!

In fact, none of that mattered!

How many First Ladies are beauties?

How many women in this world were truly beautiful? Most possessed a modicum of attractiveness and relied heavily on their presentation and style. Even celebrities relied on makeup for their beauty; without it, they were no different from any other woman on the street.

"Mom, that's all I have to say. I hope you'll conduct yourself accordingly!" Hansen Ruiz said, then wrapped his arm around a still-stiff Rachel Bailey and turned to leave.

Rachel Bailey was frightened by his assertiveness.

He dared to speak like that to his own mother, to his own family—and for her sake!

Rachel Bailey had mixed emotions. She was touched by Hansen Ruiz's protection but also filled with self-reproach, feeling like she was a jinx, the cause of the rift between mother and son. Even though Mrs. Ruiz had just severely wounded her self-esteem, Rachel believed that, in her heart, Mrs. Ruiz, as a mother, had her son's best interests at heart. She didn't truly hate Mrs. Ruiz; her anger at the time had flared up but then quickly subsided.

"Hansen..." Mrs. Ruiz watched in astonishment as her son disappeared with Rachel Bailey in his arms. His assertive and domineering words echoed in her ears, leaving her feeling bitter and angry, but mostly helpless.

This son of hers had a ruthless streak. If provoked, he was like a man-eating tiger.

The fact that her son had spoken to her so harshly and lost his temper for Rachel Bailey's sake proved his feelings for Rachel were genuine.

Regardless of whether she accepted it or not, her son would take Rachel Bailey into the Wedding Chapel.

No matter her opinion, her son would insist on having his way!

This eldest son would always be an eagle soaring high in the sky, not someone she could manipulate.

Mrs. Ruiz sank back into the sofa and closed her eyes with a bitter expression.

Her eldest son had stormed out of the Ruiz Family home. All she could do was watch from afar, powerless to control him any longer.

Her heart truly ached.

No matter what, this was the son she had carried for ten months and given birth to. Even if she wanted to control his life, she was still a mother, possessing the same love all mothers have for their children. She loved Hansen Ruiz dearly. Yet now, the son she had cherished and raised had become another woman's. This stark realization left her heart in turmoil, unable to find peace for a long time.

Perhaps, many mothers-in-law feel this way, which is why the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship has always been a real issue. For thousands of years, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have been natural enemies!

Upon exiting the Emperor Hotel, Hansen Ruiz happened to cross paths with Glades Horne. Julia Bluen seemed to have encountered something urgent and was in a hurry to leave, with Glades accompanying her. The two friends exchanged a glance but, without a word of greeting, each led their respective woman to their car. They then drove away from the Emperor Hotel, one after the other.

Only after these two influential figures—men who could command the elements, as elusive as mythical dragons, yet prone to appearing in special circumstances—had departed, did the Emperor Hotel return to a semblance of calm.