While vacationing in Saint Augustine with my dad, my wife's male assistant suddenly sent me a photo of a man stripped naked and covered in blood. It was accompanied by an arrogant voice message: “Tom Sterling, do you country folk just love to take advantage of things?” “Ms. Harper just bought this villa, and you let your old man, your deadbeat dad, crash there? As Ms. Harper’s assistant, I have every right to protect her property from intrusion.” “This is what happens when your dad trespasses into the villa!” I froze, then looked across at my dad, who was sitting there perfectly fine. I then zoomed in on the photo Tom had sent. My heart plummeted. Isn't that my father-in-law? I immediately called Tom Barclay. “Tom, have you lost your mind? That’s Seraphina Harper’s father!” Tom scoffed dismissively, “Ms. Harper said, your dad is your dad, and her dad is her dad. She never considered your dad family.” 1 Tom hung up immediately after that. I didn’t dare delay, quickly booking a flight for that day and rushing to the airport. At the same time, I dialed Seraphina’s number. “Seraphina, Dad was beaten by Tom at your new villa, you need to go there…” “Alright, I know what you’re going to say.” Seraphina cut me off, her voice chilling. “I think Tom’s lesson was appropriate.” I was stunned. “What did you say?” Seraphina sighed, sounding a bit exasperated. “Tom, even though we’re married, your dad should have some basic boundaries. He can’t just take advantage of my being your wife, always trying to get something for free or seek small benefits from me.” I was getting agitated. “You’ve got it all wrong, he’s your…” “Enough!” Seraphina snapped impatiently. “So what if he’s my father-in-law? I’m not obligated to indulge his greed.” “Today he dares to freeload at my villa, tomorrow he’ll just come to my company demanding money.” “Tom disciplining him, making him learn his lesson, is also for his own good.” Seraphina’s words instantly chilled my frantic heart. My dad might be a countryman, but he had lived a life of kindness and simplicity, never taking advantage of anyone, and for Seraphina, he had only given, never asked. When Seraphina’s company was starting up and she was short on funds, my dad had unhesitatingly pulled out all the retirement savings he had accumulated his entire life. Knowing she had a weak stomach, no matter how busy he was, my dad would always find time to make various stomach-nourishing foods, traveling miles to deliver them to the city. Yet, such a simple, kind old man who treated her like his own child, was, in Seraphina’s words, a greedy leech with no boundaries who deserved to be taught a lesson. My heart ached with desolation, and my voice grew colder. “Seraphina, Dad seems seriously hurt. I advise you to quickly send someone to take him to the hospital. After all, it wasn’t easy for him to raise you.” Seraphina immediately flared up. “Tom, are you sick? When has your dad ever raised me?” “No wonder Tom couldn’t help but teach your dad a lesson. With a son like you, he deserves the beating!” “My dad is coming back from overseas soon. I still need to prepare a surprise and a welcome party for him. I don’t have time for your messy, petty problems.” With that, Seraphina hung up. On the way, I saw Seraphina had posted an update. Just a short sentence: “My father is returning home. I can finally show him my filial devotion properly.” I silently liked the post. A morbid curiosity arose in me. What would her devoted reaction be when she realized her dad was beaten black and blue by Tom? By evening, I arrived at Seraphina’s hilltop villa. The villa’s courtyard was adorned with flowers and balloons, and a magnificent golden archway proudly displayed large letters: “Welcome Home, Dearest Father!” Beneath the arch, all of Seraphina’s family and friends were gathered. Seeing me, everyone’s expressions turned complex. As I stepped into the courtyard, I noticed a body covered by a white sheet, tucked away in a corner of the yard! Seeing the body, my entire being stiffened. Just then, Tom stepped forward, feigning regret, “Tom, I just meant to teach your dad a simple lesson. Who knew he was so fragile? He suddenly had a heart attack and died on the spot.” “You won’t blame me, will you?” So, my father-in-law was murdered by Tom? My heart pounded wildly. I was about to speak. But Seraphina stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Tom, and gently comforted him, “Tom, this isn’t your fault. You were just looking out for me.” “Blame it on his dad for being short-lived and always causing trouble.” “It’s already merciful that you haven’t demanded emotional damages from Tom.” With that, Seraphina glared at me with a dark expression, her voice chilling, “Tom, look at what your dad has done.” “Dying in my villa not only frightened Tom but also cast a shadow over the welcome party I specially prepared for my dad.” Seeing her righteous indignation, I found it utterly laughable. I couldn’t help but point at the covered body and say seriously, “Seraphina, I suggest you lift that white sheet and take a good look at who’s actually dead!” Seraphina frowned. “Isn’t it your dad? What’s there to see?” “I don’t want to pollute my eyes!” My sister-in-law, Chloe, also chimed in with disdain, “My sister bought this villa especially to give to our dad when he came back. He hasn’t even lived in it yet, and your dad comes to freeload first? How disgusting?” “If you ask me, he deserved to die. It saves him from embarrassing us again in the future.” “Do you really think that just because you married into the Harper family, your whole family gets to ride on our coattails?” 2 Seeing Seraphina and Chloe both siding with Tom, Seraphina’s relatives and friends also quickly took sides, declaring their positions: “Exactly! Such a freeloading father-in-law is a parasite on society even when alive.” “This time he embarrassed us among family. If he embarrasses us outside next time, who knows how others will mock the Harper family.” “Exactly. Anyone who doesn’t know us might think the Harpers are raising a family of beggars.” “So, Assistant Barclay handled this perfectly. It’s a permanent solution for the Harper family.” In an instant, everyone was praising Tom. It was as if the person who died by his hand was a heinous criminal, and he, Tom, was a great hero who had rid the Harper family of evil. Tom glanced at me with a smug look, then, the next second, he timidly said to Seraphina, “But Ms. Harper, the deceased is Tom’s father, after all. What if he causes trouble for me?” Seraphina looked at him with tender affection. “Don’t worry. With me here, no one can harm you.” With that, Seraphina immediately had someone draft a letter of understanding and handed it to me. “Tom, your dad was in the wrong first. His death is just bad luck, not Tom’s fault.” “For the sake of our marriage, I won’t pursue the matter of your dad trespassing in my villa and dying here, affecting my father’s welcome party.” “But you must sign this letter of understanding, guaranteeing that this matter ends here and you won’t cause trouble for Tom.” Chloe also stood with her arms crossed, condescendingly stating, “Tom, your dad brought this upon himself. Don’t even think about pinning anything on Tom. Be smart and sign the letter of understanding.” The two sisters imperiously ordered me, waiting for me to sign the letter of understanding. But I pushed the letter back to them, calmly saying, “If anyone’s signing, it’s you. I’m not qualified.” 3 Seraphina, assuming I was refusing, immediately snapped, “Tom, don’t be ungrateful.” “Your dad was just an unemployed drifter, completely worthless in this world. Tom is still young, with a bright future ahead of him. Are you really going to ruin him for a dead man?” Chloe also frowned, echoing, “Exactly! Your dad was just a waste of food when he was alive. Tom has done society a favor.” “You don’t even thank him, and you’re still thinking of extorting him?” I calmly explained, “You’ve got it wrong. What I mean is, the person who died is your father. This letter of understanding can only be signed by you.” Chloe, hearing me say this, instantly became agitated. “Tom, are you insane? How dare you say such unlucky things and curse my dad at his welcome party?” Seraphina was also enraged. “Tom, it seems I’ve spoiled you too much all these years, letting you become so arrogant, you don’t even know how to show basic respect to your elders.” “My dad is the most important person in my life. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect him, not even if you’re my husband!” With that, she suddenly turned and barked at a bodyguard nearby, “Go throw that old man’s body into the cesspit!” The bodyguard hesitated, glancing at me. “Ms. Harper, this… this might not be appropriate?” Seraphina sternly said, “He won’t sign the letter of understanding, won’t he? He likes to curse my dad, doesn’t he? Today I’ll make him realize the consequences of disrespecting my dad!” “Do as I say! Any problems, I’ll take responsibility!” Seeing Seraphina’s anger, the bodyguard dared not disobey and immediately went to carry out the order. The guests on site shook their heads repeatedly, murmuring among themselves: “Tom has truly touched Ms. Harper’s raw nerve this time.” “Exactly. Ms. Harper’s mother passed away early; Mr. Harper raised the two sisters alone. Everyone knows Ms. Harper cares most about Mr. Harper. This Tom is truly insane, cursing Mr. Harper at his welcome party!” “No wonder his dad died. With such an ungrateful son, what parent could live long?” The chatter of the crowd was jarring but didn't affect me in the slightest. I ignored everyone, looking at Seraphina, and said, word by word, “Seraphina, are you sure you want to go this far?” Seraphina looked down at me from her superior position, her voice sharp. “Tom, this is all your own doing.” “Your dad’s death is entirely because he was shameless and loved petty advantages.” “You shouldn’t, because of this, repeatedly curse and bring bad luck to my dad at his welcome party.” “If you ask me, your dad deserved to die early, having an ungrateful, disrespectful son like you!” The words had barely left her mouth. My dad suddenly walked into the villa, looking at Seraphina, and asked in confusion, “Who died?”
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