The Price of Pride

My father-in-law, Richard Prescott, held a powerful position for years, and no one ever dared to treat him like this. He exploded in anger on the spot.

He barked, "Jaclyn Prescott, that ungrateful brat! Has she forgotten who gave her every penny she has? How dare she let this pompous butler insult her own father? This is outrageous!"

My mother-in-law, Leona Reed, was equally furious. "Richard, we need to have a serious talk with Jaclyn when we get back. Since when does a butler get to overstep the man of the house and boss people around?"

The man of the house? I could not help but smile bitterly at that.

Ever since Jaclyn hired Rupert, I was treated worse than the servants. After we got married, she forced me to quit my job under the pretense that someone needed to manage the household, and now I had to submit a formal request to this butler just to get money for necessities.

Knowing Rupert, I knew he would not let this go easily. So, I positioned myself in front of Richard and Leona, trying to reason with him.

"Rupert, these are Jaclyn's parents. Her mother is allergic to lobster. If Jaclyn finds out you tried to feed her parents lobster rolls, she won't let you get away with it."

Rupert simply sneered. "Mr. Shaw, you don't actually think that just because you married Ms. Prescott, all your poor relatives automatically become her relatives too, do you?" Your two bumpkin parents actually dare to call themselves Ms. Prescott's parents? Where is your shame?"

As he spoke, Rupert's expression darkened.

He turned to the bodyguards and barked, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and make Ms. Prescott's parents eat the lobster rolls I specially prepared for them."

The guards only took orders from Rupert. Immediately, they yanked Richard and Leona out from behind me and shoved their faces down toward the lobster rolls.

Both of them were in their 50s and no match for the strength of these young, burly guards. In seconds, their faces were smeared with filling and bits of the rolls.

I shouted in shock, "Rupert, have you lost your mind?! I've put up with how you treat me all this time! But these are Jaclyn's parents! Tell them to stop right now!"

I rushed forward, trying to pull the guards away, but Rupert had his men hold me back.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered so only I could hear, "So what if a country boy like you married into a wealthy family? You're still under my control! Today, I'm going to make you watch how your parents cry and beg for mercy!"