My Wife's Company Influencer Beat My Father-in-Law to Death

After dropping my father off at the golf course, I drove to Victoria's office.There was a body slumped beside the trash can outside.He wasn't moving. A torn fishing net had been thrown over his face, but I recognized the build immediately. It was my father-in-law.I rushed into the lobby looking for Victoria.It was the company's IPO day. Victoria was decked out in an evening gown, two sapphires glinting from her ears.I walked up and grabbed her arm. The second she saw it was me, she yanked away in disgust."What now? Can't you see I'm busy?""Victoria, Jason just beat dad up. You need to—""Enough, Ethan. I know you're pissed that your broke-ass father got handled, but honestly? Jason did the right thing.""Excuse me?""Your dad never knew his place to begin with. But picking today—the day of my IPO—to come stir up trouble? Seriously?""If Jason hadn't caught him and thrown him out in time, I'd have been a laughingstock in front of everyone!""Victoria, how can you talk about him l

"Ethan, don't try to scare me. I've been wanting a divorce for ages!""Your dad is a leech who's been making your life harder by existing. He'd be doing everyone a favor by dropping dead.""Jason is young, he's the company's biggest star right now, he's got an amazing future. You should be thanking him for taking out the trash—instead you're swinging at him? You don't know a good thing when it's right in front of you!"A crowd of employees and executives had started gathering, whispering and pointing.Jason was peeking out from behind Victoria, a smirk creeping across his lips.I looked at Victoria's face, twisted by her own bitterness, and the last spark of love I had for her flickered out."Sign the papers. That's fine."I kept my voice level."But you'll be the one signing."Victoria laughed like I'd told the joke of the century."Why would I sign for you? Ethan, your dad's your problem—I never considered him family.""You misunderstood me. The one who's dead is your father. The wai

"I didn't steal it."I kept my voice level, eyes on the watch."Caught red-handed and still lying?!"Victoria snatched the watch from Jason's hand."Ethan, you've completely lost it! A piece like this—you've probably never even seen one in real life. What, you were gonna pawn it? Or wear it around and pretend to be somebody?"She walked right up to me and started slapping the watch face against my cheek."Look at you. You think you even deserve to touch this? Do you have any idea what it costs? I could sell you and that dead old man of yours together and not afford the strap!""Stealing. Cursing my father out in public. Ethan, you are rotten to the core."The whispers around me got uglier. Filthier words drifted through the crowd.Jason leaned in close, dropping his voice so only I could hear."Going up against me? Listen up, you broke piece of shit. This is what happens. Victoria's mine. The company's mine. And you and that dying old man of yours can rot in the gutter where you belong

"Miss Victoria!"The head of security ran up, holding a leather briefcase smeared with dirt. He looked rattled."M-Miss Victoria. We found this next to the old guy outside. Looks like it's, uh... his stuff."Victoria's nose wrinkled in disgust."Disgusting. Why would you bring that filthy thing in here? Get it out!"Then she pointed at me, like an idea had just hit her."Actually. Give it to him.""It belongs to that old beggar. So obviously his son should take it. Trash goes with trash. Don't dirty up my building."The head of security hesitated, but under Victoria's glare, he held the dirty briefcase out to me.Jason saw an opening and pounced."Victoria, don't give it to him! The old man probably stole something and hid it in there before trying to bolt! That's why he panicked when we caught him and got himself killed running! There could be stolen stuff in there!"The crowd's eyes turned even colder, like that confirmed it—we were a family of thieves.I ignored Jason and took the b

Jason was still trying to keep his composure."Officer, this is a misunderstanding. It's all a misunderstanding."He waved his hands and forced a smile."The old guy was forcing his way in. He looked shady. I was just doing my job, stopping him. I gave him a little shove—how was I supposed to know an old man would topple over like that? This is— this is just a freak accident at worst, right?"The officer running the interview had eyes sharp as a hawk's. He stared Jason down without blinking.A younger officer pulled up surveillance footage.On the screen, the old man was carrying a briefcase, about to enter through a side door. Jason came running up from behind, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him down on the pavement.The old man tried to get up. Jason kicked him—several times—square in the head and chest. Vicious.When the old man stopped moving, Jason kicked him again, disgusted. Once he was sure there was no response, he glanced around, waved two guards over, and pointed at