The Tycoon Son-in-law

Ch 2

Drex froze at Janice’s words, his chest tightening, but before he could fire back, her younger brother, Steven Ellington, piped up from where he sat.

“Hey, what do you mean, Janice?” He asked with a displeased frown. “Didn’t you say the seven million was for me? I’m marrying Angel soon, and we can’t do it without a house.”

His girlfriend, Angela Wilson, leaned on Steven’s shoulder, adding with a smug smile, “Yeah, we need a house. As his sister and brother-in-law, you two should help him out.”

Janice’s father, Tom Ellington, rapped his knuckles on the table like a judge slamming a gavel. “That’s right. Steven is Janice’s only little brother. It’s perfectly reasonable for her to give him the money.”

Drex looked at all of them, the words hitting him like icy daggers. For a moment, he forgot they were in his house.

He forced himself to take a slow breath, trying to tamp down the volcano of anger building in his chest.

Then he turned back to Janice, voice tight. “You haven’t bought the house yet, have you? My father needs eight hundred thousand dollars for surgery. It’s urgent.”

Suddenly, Janice’s mother, Martha Ellington, snapped, "No way! The hotel for Steve and Angel’s wedding is already booked. How are they supposed to buy a house and get married if you take the eight hundred thousand now? Besides, Drex, your father’s situation is too serious to waste money on. Since he's already so sick, you just have to wait for his death, let nature take its course. Don’t let it affect those who are still living.”

Drex’s face darkened instantly, fury blazing behind his eyes. “What? How dare you say that to me, Mother? How dare you wish death upon my father?!”

“I wasn’t the one who made him sick, was I?” Martha snapped back, cold as ice. “Him being sick means it’s probably time for him to go. Let him leave peacefully!”

Drex let out a disbelieving scoff. He shook his head, trying to fling her words out of his mind. “Enough. I need my money back. This is my hard-earned money, and I need it now!”

“Your money? My money? What nonsense is this?” Martha scowled, rising from the couch to face him directly. “You’re married to Janice now. We are a family. Why are you counting every penny?”

She was a woman in her fifties with a pretty face, good looking and a younger version of Janice. She was not an easy woman to deal with.

“Don’t start making me angry, Drex. Don’t!” She warned.

Steven seemed indifferent like a rogue. "Either way, I’m using the money to buy a house and a car. I already have a house picked out, and I’ll pay the down payment tomorrow. I even preordered a car. The latest BMW 5 Series. It’s really beautiful.”

As he spoke, his gaze was filled with excitement.

Drex let out a shaky breath, his heart pounding painfully against his ribs. He turned to Janice, desperation written all over his face. “Janice, this isn’t a joke. Someone’s life is hanging by a thread. If my dad’s surgery is delayed even by a minute today, he could die. You need to understand me.”

Janice unfazed expression still remained. “And please understand the situation my family is right now which is all thanks to me marrying you. How else are we supposed to afford Steven’s wedding? You know that better than anyone.”

Drex’s gaze hardened instantly, turning sharp and dangerous.

Janice immediately looked away, unsettled by the unfamiliar chill in his eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she said stiffly. “You know what they say. Sharing is caring.”

After a moment's silence, Drex replied, "Fine. Then I’m selling this house immediately.”

As long as he could save his father, he could get the house back in the future.

But what Janice said next struck him like a hammer to the skull.

“I… I mortgaged the house a few days ago,” she muttered. “Steven has a debt of nine hundred thousand. There was no other choice.”

The house was under Janice’s name. He had agreed to that, all for her happiness.

“Janice!!” Drex clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He was unable to suppress his rage anymore.

In all the years he knew her, Steven had never worked a single day.

He lived like a parasite, feeding off Janice without shame. Every year, Janice earned over a hundred thousand, and every cent flowed straight into Steven’s account like water poured into a bottomless pit.

Bang!

Steven slammed his fist onto the table and sprang to his feet.

He jabbed a finger at Drex and snarled, “You dare raise your voice at my sister, Drex? What, do you want me to call some friends to deal with you?”

Tom shot up as well, shouting, “Drex, what are you trying to do? Are you going to hit my daughter?”

Martha cried out hysterically, “You might as well file for a divorce! Get a divorce already!”

Drex stepped toward Steven, his gaze cold and unforgiving. “Give me my money!” he barked.

A chill slid down Steven’s spine when their eyes met. His bravado cracked. “I don’t have any money! All I can give you is my life!”

Terrified, Janice rushed forward and wedged herself between them. “Don’t you dare touch my brother, do you hear me?! He’s my only sibling. If I don’t help him, who will?!”

Drex stared at her like she had stabbed him in the chest. “What about my father?” he demanded. “He’s lying in a hospital bed right now, his life hanging by a thread. Are you really going to let him die like this?”

Janice let out a slow breath, as though she were the victim here. “I’m sorry about your father, Drex. I truly am. But if you want the money back, then let’s get a divorce.”

Drex blinked, stunned by her words.

Divorce?

He let out a hollow chuckle. “You can’t be serious. Right?”

“When have I ever joked with you?” Janice snapped, her patience finally snapping like a frayed rope. “I’m done with you, Drex. Completely done. I want a divorce, and I want it as soon as possible.”

Drex let out a bitter chuckle. “Wow. So now we’re jumping straight to divorce? Why? What’s the end game here? I'm talking about giving me my money and you're here talking about divorce?!”

Deep down, he had seen this coming.

“Are you deaf?” Janice snapped. “I told you already. If you want your money back, then we divorce. You’ll get enough to pay for the surgery.”

Drex’s brows knitted together, suspicion creeping in. “And how exactly do you plan to pay me after the divorce? Janice, what aren’t you telling me? Are you cheating on me with someone else?”

“Are you doing it or not?” she fired back impatiently.

“Even if I wanted to, it’s not that simple!” Drex shouted. “We have a child together. What about her? You can’t let Anna grow up without a father!”

Steven sneered from the side, shaking his head before slumping back beside Angela like the whole thing was a cheap show.

“What child?” Janice said coldly, frowning. “Annabelle isn’t even yours, so why should you care?”