02: Stab You to Death!

Adam's heart skipped a beat.

The last time Lori sent him out, he forgot to prepare warm water for her bath. She'd thrown him out, only allowing him in at midnight.

But now she was going to lock him out till the next morning?

That too, in front of a stranger?

"You're not deaf, are you? I said, get out!" Lori screamed again.

Adam gritted. It would only get worse if he stayed, so he picked his wife and placed her in the bedroom.

After placing some medications for hangovers by her cabinet, he left and went to sit in the garden.

6pm.

Adam lazed around, tending the garden and watering the herbs he secretly cultivated. His father had left a Chinese book of medicine and he found some good herbs he could cultivate locally. If he sold some, he might be able to afford some quality gifts for his wife's birthday next month.

Night descended and soon Adam could hear the sound of laughter from the dining, Roberto's voice the loudest.

That pervert!

If Roberto thinks he could snatch Seraphina away with just a few flattering, he should dream on!

Seraphina was the only reason he endured all the harsh treatment. He'd fallen in love with her kind and true heart, and would do anything to make her happy.

Adam stood up and went to the entrance of the house, waiting to speak to Roberto when he stepped out. No one could come between him and his wife!

Adam waited and waited, dozing off.

He woke up later at midnight to meet a warm blanket over his body.

Seraphina. She was the only one that cared about him.

Adam snuggled and went back to sleep with a smile.

By dawn, he went inside to begin the chores, completing them right before everyone woke up.

Lori was the first to arrive. "My younger sister is arriving today. You have to clean up the storage and move some of my things there." She said, handing him some keys.

Lori was in good spirits as she led Adam into her room, pointing out some unused furniture to be moved.

When she left, Adam began dragging the cabinet and the wardrobe down the hall.

The storage was a few rooms away, so he managed the work quite efficiently.

He had to hurry, so he would be able to prepare some hangover soup for Seraphina before she left for work.

In his haste, Adam mistakenly pulled hard a cabinet. The lock came open and it's contents tumbling on the floor.

"Oh no." He quickly grabbed the make-up kits and two folders.

A blue folder caught his eye. It was named Hundred Herb Mall, and seemed to be the journal of the last few medicine shops his father had left him.

After the Carson's Pharmaceutical Group crashed, his father had gathered all their unsold medicine and Chinese herbs into the Hundred Herb Mall and handed it to him right before he disappeared.

For a while, people refused to patronize the shops, so Adam agreed to hand it over to Lori for care-taking.

Every month, his mother-in-law complained that the shops were running on losses, and that she had to channel her funds to prevent it from going bankrupt.

But from what he saw in this journal, that was an absolute lie!

His Hundred Herb Mall saw a net profit of $5 thousand every month!

The shops had boomed and was getting customers again.

Why then did Lori lie to him?

Adam's heart lurched.

For the past 3 years she was managing the mall, she would have gotten $150 thousand!

Adam could imagine all the things he would have done with that money. He'd endured maltreatment and humiliation just because he thought he was impoverished.

Adam piled the documents back in, a cold expression on his face.

The Hemsworth were already going too far!

First, he needed to make in-depth investigation before taking any action.

Adam pushed everything to the archives of his mind and hurried to the kitchen to get the hangover soup ready.

6am. He had to get Seraphina up early to prepare for work.

Immediately Adam stepped into the room, the tray fell from his hands.

His beloved wife was lying naked in bed, sharing a kiss with Roberto.

"Seraphina." Adam lost his voice.

He'd never seen his wife naked, but this man dared to. . .

"What're you doing here, Adam?" Seraphina paled in embarrassment.

Roberto quickly wrapped her with the sheets, throwing a glare at him. "How dare you barge in here without knocking? You must have some nerve."

"You!" Adam's brain exploded.

"You monster!" He lunged at Roberto, yanking him from the bed with a heavy punch.

"What have you done? How dare you take advantage of my wife while she's drunk?"

"Idiot!" Robert swung his fist at Adam but missed. "Your wife? What did you do you deserve someone like her?"

"She's my wife regardless! How dare you?" Adam kicked him away, rushing to face Seraphina. "Are you okay?"

"Don't touch me!" She suddenly shrieked, her lips turning in disgust.

Seraphina pushed him away, rushing to help Roberto. "How dare you hit my Boss?"

Adam's clenched his fists. "Seraphina, this bastard took advantage of you and-"

"Took advantage of me?" She burst into a low laughter. "Do I still seem drunk, or are you too dumb to read the writing on the wall?"

Adam was speechless.

"You're totally useless, Adam Carson! I'm tired of this stupid marriage my grandfather forced me into!"

Before Adam could reply, Lori burst in, her face beaming when she saw Roberto. "Oh, my future son-in-law. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. I did." Robert winced.

"What happened?" Lori finally glanced around the room, frowning when she saw Adam.

"This idiot just tried to hit Roberto." Seraphina hissed.

"He did what?" Lori slapped Adam with the speed of light. "You want to die a painful death? How dare you hit the President of the Walters Corporations? Don't you realize he has the power to make you disappear from this earth?"

Adam pushed Lori away, eyes red with fury. "He took advantage of my wife!"

"You fool! How many times do I have to tell you Roberto didn't take advantage of me. I gave myself willingly cause I'm in love with him!" Seraphina yelled harshly.

"I love you too, baby." Roberto kissed her cheeks in adoration.

Adam's heart shattered to a million pieces, an sharp dagger piercing at his heart.

"Seraphina, you-" he choked.

"I've never loved you Adam, you have always been a piece of trash to me, and now I'm tired keeping up the pretence." She broke the last shred of hope in his heart.

The sudden confession got her mother excited. "You have my blessings already."

Tears pooled at the corner of Adam's eyes.

Every day, the Hemsworths didn't fail to remind him how useless he was. They snatched his shops, treated him like a slave, even humiliated him in front of extended family.

He'd done everything for Seraphina and her family, even refusing to investigate his sister's death at their request. And now, she had crushed the last piece of his already bruised ego.

"No." Anger surged through his veins, his teeth clattering on their own accord.

"No!" Adam smashed his wedding photo on the floor. "I can't take this."

The sound startled all of them.

Lori only laughed. "Well, you're going to have to take it. Now that my daughter has found the love of her life, you can only revel in misery!"

Adam laughed maniacally. "You're going to pay, Hemsworth! For every single pain I've suffered you will all pay!"

"First, I won't leave without an explanation for where all my Hundred Herb Mall profit has gone to!"

"Huh?" Lori was a bit taken aback. "How many times have I informed you that that shop always encountered losses?"

"Oh, really?" Adam fixed a murderous piercing gaze on her.

Lori stepped backwards in fear. "O. . .Of course!"

When did this useless trash acquire such a domineering aura?

"So how come you have a great profit of $5 thousand every month?" Adam scoffed. "Or are you gonna deny that my shop has been receiving making massive sales over the past 3 years?"

The thought that his little sister might still be alive if he had such money was devastating.

"Y. . . You." Lori's back finally touched the wall.

"These are mere allegations without evidence! Besides, is that measly shop enough compensation for all what we have done for you? You better leave before I change my mind!" She subconsciously glanced at Robert for help.

Adam gave a sinister smile. "Apart from feeding me one meal per day and taking advantage of me for a servant, what else have you done for me?"

"What about treatment for your sister's illness a year ago? My family spent a whole lot on that wretched little girl, how do you intend to refund us?" Seraphina couldn't keep watching Adam corner her mother.

"That doesn't change the fact that this evil woman lied and cheated me!" He snarled.

"You dare to call me evil?" Lori flew into rage and tried to hit him, but he held her hand and pushed her.

"If not my mother caring for those useless shops, do you think the government wouldn't have demolished it?" Seraphina hissed. "Adam Carson, you're going too far!"

"Darling, would you have me summon men to drag him out?" Roberto tried to intervene, but Adam turned on him with a snarl.

"I don't see how any of this is your business, why don't you scram?"

Lori lost it. "The one to scram would be you! Pack your things and leave my house, I don't want to see you ever again!"

"That's right. I'm sick of seeing your ugly face every morning." Maggie snorted in disgust. "Do you know how many times I just wished I could stab you to death and become a widow? That's how much hatred I have for you, Adam. You're literally the worst thing that ever happened to me!"