The Original Son-in-law

Chapter 1: Dorcas's Birthday

Chapter 1

The extravagant, spacious family home of Wesley Graham was lit with decorations and lights, illuminating the whole room.

It was Dorcas Graham's birthday today—the family’s matriarch.

She was dressed in her elegant, expensive dress and was looking slightly younger despite her age.

“Grandma, over the years, I have observed that you love fancy things, so I decided to get you a designer bag worth over half a million dollars.”

Dorcas grinned.

Then a young man dressed in a perfect gray suit stepped forward.

“Grandma, as your good soon-to-be son-in-law that I have always been,” Mario Caleb started, “I bought this for you." He put the wrapped box down carefully. "It's jewelry worth over two million dollars.”

Dorcas's grin grew wider.

"Bless you, Mario. You'll truly make a good son-in-law, unlike the piece of trash we already have!"

Just then, out of the blue, Henry Daniel, the eldest son-in-law of the family, spoke, "Grandma, could you lend me four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, please? The nurse just called to say that my mother's condition has worsened and that they need the money to carry out a surgical operation on her. Please, help me, I promise to pay you back.”

The entire family opened their mouths in great astonishment.

They stared at him.

How could Henry be this shameless? Today is Dorcas Graham's birthday, and instead of gifting her, he's seeking to borrow money?

Before anyone could bat an eye….

Pa!

Dorcas raised her hand and slapped Henry fiercely across his face.

"You, bastard!” She growled. "You aren't just useless but unashameable as well!”

Henry clutched his hurting cheek, head lowered in both shame and embarrassment. "Ple—please, Grandma," he stammered, his lips shaking from emotion, “I don't want anything to happen to my mum. She's the only thing I have left in this world.”

A tear formed in his eyes as he pleaded desperately, not minding the slap.

A dark, stormy cloud suddenly appeared beneath Dorcas's eyes as she shot Henry a dangerous stare. She bit her lips furiously, about to respond when—

“Grandma, please, don't take it hard on Henry; he's clearly not thinking straight," Margaret, Henry's wife, hurriedly said on his behalf.

Margaret was considered the beauty goddess of the city, and suitors with wealthy backgrounds didn't cease from coming her way despite her married status. However, she had turned them all down even though the whole family wanted the complete opposite.

Dorcas turned sharply to her. Her expression didn't change. "Just take a look at the piece of trash you've gotten married to! He has been nothing but a leech on us! And I want him kicked out of this house for good!”

Margaret bit her lips nervously. “Henry was only trying to save his dying mother, Grandma.”

"Then he should go and work or perhaps explore other alternatives,” Dorcas replied curtly. “And not come to me!"

At the side, Henry's heart sank. He hadn't been staying idle; he had been applying for different jobs, but hadn't been granted any.

At this moment, Mario Caleb, Shirley's fiancè, Margaret's cousin, the one who had gifted Dorcas the jewelry worth over two million dollars, spoke condescendingly.

"We need a cleaner, a toilet cleaner to be precise, and I'll consider having him employed just for the sake of the Graham's family.”

He turned to face Henry. "Or what do you think, Henry? The pay is huge.”

“Awwnn, that's a generous gesture, Mario!” Shirley, Margaret's cousin, praised her fiancè. “You're so kind!"

Then she turned. "Won't you consider jumping on the offer, huh? Application might close soon. At least, be useful to yourself this once and stop living off my niece.”

Henry swallowed, taking in the obvious humiliations, but chose to ignore them all by not responding.

Dorcas then spoke again, still referring to Margaret. “If you want me to help him, then you must divorce him immediately, and I'll consider paying for his mother's treatment."

Her gaze fixed on Margaret's as she continued. “Agreed?"

Margaret looked at her with disbelief. “No, Grandma, I won't divorce Henry," she replied politely.

Dorcas's nose flared up with rage. “How dare you! What's good about this asshole, even?" She barked.

She was still ranting when Henry, shoulders slumped, face drained of color, finally spoke in a low voice after being silent for a long time, “Margaret, I'll leave for the hospital now to see Mum.”

"How about the payment for her treatment?" Margaret asked, worry and concern laced in her voice.

“Don't know."

“Don't worry, I'll go with you. We might use my card to settle part of it. I've got some money in it," Margaret offered.

“Try any of that, and you're no longer part of this family! You can choose to stay with that miserable bastard for the rest of your life!" Dorcas shouted in an icy manner.

Margaret halted, taken aback by Dorcas's remark. She hadn't anticipated that at all. However, before she could regain herself, Henry had disappeared out of sight.

****

But as if nature was totally against him today, rain started to drizzle and subsequently began to pour heavily, beating Henry mercilessly as he headed to the hospital.

Soon, he arrived at the hospital, completely drenched and drained.

Ignoring the onlookers’ stares, Henry headed to the cashier department to bargain if the payment for his mother's treatment could possibly be extended; however, he was told by the nurse in charge that the payment had been settled.

“Huh?” Henry raised an eyebrow in shock. "Are you sure of what you're saying? And who's this person?" He asked, the cold that had gripped him instantly vanishing.

“Yes, Mr. Henry, but I have no idea who this person is," the nurse responded.

Henry's face twitched with confusion. How does that even make sense?

Someone paid for his mother's treatment already? Impossible!

He knew no one—no one from the wealthy circle who could possibly help him. The only people he knew were the Grahams, but they had coldly refused to assist him.

Just at that moment….

"Don't worry yourself, young master, I paid for it.”

A voice said from behind.