The Live‑In Son‑In‑Law Who Ruled The World

Chapter 4 — The Humiliation

In the banquet hall, the shattered wine glass still lay scattered on the floor. The red wine spread along the carpet like an ugly stain.

The moment Nahir heard Aurelia call out"Alexander,"Nahir understood.

The man standing before them, dressed as a waiter, was actually Aurelia's infamous"live-in son-in-law"—a husband who lived with his wife's family, a man everyone looked down on.

Nahir put on a sympathetic look, and deliberately used a nickname for Aurelia.

"It's okay, Aura. My custom suit is soaked, but Alexander didn't mean it. Don't be too hard on him. He's just trying to make a little extra money working as a waiter."

Hearing the intimate way Nahir and Aurelia addressed each other, Alexander was thrown back to the past. Not long after their wedding, he had once called her"Aura."She had rejected it coldly, saying she wasn't comfortable with others calling her that—and told him never to use it again. Yet today, in front of so many people, Nahir could call her by that very nickname so affectionately.

In college, he didn't know Nahir well, had only heard the name. Back then, people at school would whisper that Aurelia used to really like Nahir, but when Nahir went abroad, their relationship suddenly ended. Some even snickered behind their backs, saying Aurelia had pursued Alexander later simply because she was heartbroken over her first love leaving and had grabbed someone to fill the void.

Back then, he had taken it as a joke.

After all, when Aurelia pursued him, she was genuinely good to him.

Hot breakfast every morning, snacks stuffed into his hands between classes, chasing after him in the rain with an umbrella, staying by his bedside all night when he was sick.

Growing up, he had hardly ever known what it felt like to be cherished like that.

When he was little, if his grades weren't good enough, his parents would lock him in a dark room to reflect. No one comforted him, no one asked about him, no one cared. Aurelia's small, patient kindnesses had chipped away at his heart, one by one, making him believe she truly loved him.

But now, reality had slapped him hard across the face.

Aurelia froze at that moment as well. She looked up and met Alexander's eyes.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by irritation. Her voice dropped, carrying an unmistakable impatience.

"Alexander? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at home?"

As she finished speaking, she seemed to notice his waiter's uniform. She frowned, her tone dripping with disdain.

"If you need money, you could have just told me. You didn't have to come out and work as a waiter. Nahir's suit is custom made. You couldn't afford to replace it even if you worked your whole life. If you cause any trouble here, how am I supposed to explain this to Grandpa?"

She reached out and pushed him aside as she spoke, as if he was in the way.

Alexander didn't rush to respond. He just looked at her practiced, condescending expression.

A few seconds later, his gaze locked onto her.

"Aurelia,"he said, his voice not loud but each word perfectly clear,"didn't you say you were working overtime?"

Aurelia's expression froze for a split second, then she swallowed her anger and explained patiently,"Alexander, so what if I'm working overtime? Can't I work overtime at a hotel?"

"Sure,"Alexander nodded, even letting out a small laugh."Working overtime arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, even throwing in a cross-arm toast. Your company has a pretty open work culture."

His voice wasn't loud, but anyone within earshot had gone completely silent.

"You—"

"Let me ask you something,"he cut her off, his tone still unhurried."That cross-arm toast, was that a team building exercise, or a personal custom between you two?"

At those words, the eavesdroppers around them grew even quieter.

Nahir finally spoke up, his voice soft but loud enough for the people nearby to hear.

"Alexander, don't misunderstand. Aura and I grew up together. We're family."He paused and gave an apologetic smile."If it bothers you, I'm sorry. You're not upset, are you?"

Aurelia gave a small nod.

"Nah is like a brother to me.We grew up together. He just got back from a business trip abroad. What's wrong with introducing him to a few connections?"

"Like a brother,"Alexander repeated the phrase, as if tasting something that didn't quite sit right with him."So that thing back in college when you had a crush on him, was that sibling love too?"

Aurelia's pupils contracted slightly.

"Alexander, you—"

"Relax,"he raised one hand, his gesture light, like he was calming someone who was losing control."I'm just curious. Does Nahir know we've been married for three years? Or does he think you forgot to mention it?"

Nearby, Nahir's expression finally wavered.

Aurelia took a deep breath and lowered her voice."We're just colleagues. I was discussing business with him. Stop twisting everything."

"Colleagues,"Alexander rolled the word around in his mouth, then laughed."Then why didn't you correct them when people said you two were a perfect match?"

He glanced at their still clasped hands, then at Nahir's arm resting around her waist, before slowly drawing his gaze back.

"Do colleagues usually hold hands at work, hug, and stand close enough to breathe the same air? Your company has a pretty unique way of doing business."

Aurelia yanked her hand back and stepped away. Her voice dropped."You nearly knocked Nah over earlier. I was just helping him steady himself."

"Helping him?"Alexander tilted his head, a cold smile playing on his lips."So that toast was helping too? Did someone hold a gun to your head and make you drink that cross-arm toast with him?"

He paused, his eyes fixed on her face.

"We've been married for almost three years, Aurelia. I was at home making dinner for you. You told me you were working late and would be home a bit later. Instead, you're here with Nah, arms around each other, drinking cross-arm toasts."

"If you're tired of this, just say so. No need to beat around the bush. I'm not the sharpest person. If I actually believed you were working overtime, how embarrassing would that be?"

Nahir took half a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Aurelia.

"Alexander, that's enough. This is Aura's business event. If you're not going to help, at least don't embarrass her in front of everyone."His brow furrowed."You stay at home living off her money, and now you show up to cause a scene? Is this how you act?"

He turned to Aurelia, his voice softening."Aura, don't be upset. Alexander is probably just under a lot of pressure. I don't blame him."

Aurelia's expression finally changed.

She looked as if she was seeing this man clearly for the first time. Her husband, who always went along with her, who gave in to her, who almost never raised his voice at her, was now standing in front of everyone, pressing her aggressively.

The impatience and anger she had been holding back could no longer be contained.

"Alexander, I'll tell you this one last time. Just take care of the house. That's your job."

Aurelia glanced at Nahir, then back at Alexander.

"Nah knows how to be understanding. He's not the one making a scene in front of everyone. Why can't you ever think about anyone but yourself?"

With that, she turned to leave.

Just then, the tall stack of champagne glasses beside them suddenly swayed violently.

The next second, the entire tower crashed down.

"Aurelia!"

Someone screamed in horror.

Aurelia turned her head, her face instantly turning white.

But Nahir, who was closest to her, couldn't care less about her. Almost instinctively, he dodged to the side, running faster than anyone.

Alexander's pupils contracted. Without thinking, he rushed forward, grabbed Aurelia, and pulled her into his arms, shielding her with his whole body.

The stainless steel stand came down, slamming hard against his right arm.

The sharp edge cut through his shirt, leaving several vicious, bloody gashes on his skin and flesh.

Pain exploded sharply. Alexander's arm went numb, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

The wound was frighteningly deep. Several bloody marks, each as large as the mouth of a bowl, quickly dripped blood down his arm, staining his white shirt red.

His breathing grew heavy.

After the stand hit the ground, Nahir seemed to snap out of it and quickly ran back. But in his haste, his foot twisted. He let out a muffled grunt, his face changing color.

"Aura…"

He leaned against the edge of the table, frowning, his voice carrying a hint of weakness.

Aurelia almost immediately pushed Alexander away.

Without so much as a second glance at him, she turned and ran toward Nahir, bending down to help him.

"Are you okay?"

"Did you twist your ankle?"

Nahir leaned on her, taking a soft breath, but his gaze flicked toward Alexander. His voice was cloyingly sweet.

"I'm fine."

"You should take Alex to the hospital. I think his shirt is soaked with blood."

Aurelia didn't even blink at the nickname.She glanced back only once, her expression as cold as if she were looking at something irrelevant.

"It's fine."

"He's tough. A little injury won't hurt."

As these words fell, the air around them seemed to still for a moment.

Alexander stood there, blood still dripping from his right arm, his fingertips trembling slightly from the pain.

But more than the wound, it was the ache in his heart that hurt.

Aurelia had already picked up her car keys, half‑helping, half‑supporting Nahir as they walked out.

Her high heels clicked on the floor, fast and urgent—but not for him.

From beginning to end, she hadn't spared him a single extra glance.