Captured By My Son in Law

Julian tormented me in bed for three days and three nights.

He was once a lowly live-in son-in-law. I not only refused to let him touch me but also trampled on him and humiliated him.

Now that I had fallen into ruin and he had risen to power, he seemed to be taking revenge-he never seemed to tire when he was with me.

...

My husband was a live-in son-in-law.

Originally, I liked his younger brother, but during a class reunion, Julian took advantage of my drunkenness and slept with me.

The scandal spread like wildfire.

My father had no choice but to marry me off to him, but on the condition that he would become our family's live-in son-in-law.

Julian was the son of his father and his ex-wife. Ever since his father remarried, he had been treated coldly.

But my family was wealthy, and I was the precious daughter my parents cherished. Having him as our live-in son-in-law was something his father eagerly agreed to.

And so, we got married.

But I was unhappy-I liked his younger brother.

Out of resentment, I made things difficult for him in every possible way. At night, I forced him to sleep on the floor and never allowed him onto the bed.

During meals, my brother and I ridiculed him, humiliated him, and forbade him from taking food.

When he came to bring me an umbrella on a rainy day out of kindness, I berated him.

I simply couldn't feel at ease without lashing out at him.

Yet, he was an odd one-he seemed to have no temper. No matter how my family and I mistreated and humiliated him, he never got angry and always maintained a calm and gentle demeanor.

To be honest, he was quite good-looking. But back in school, he was too introverted, always ranking at the bottom academically, repeating grades multiple times-someone everyone would shake their heads at.

His younger brother, on the other hand, was different. He was bright, handsome, and an outstanding student, a school heartthrob.

Thinking about how my budding romance with his younger brother was cut short because of him, I grew even more frustrated.

Late at night, I climbed out of bed and kicked him awake on the floor. "I'm thirsty."

He got up immediately and went to get me some water.

He was thoughtful-knowing it was autumn, he even brought me warm water.

But the moment I remembered how he had taken advantage of me that night, a surge of anger boiled within me. I raised my hand and poured the entire cup of water onto his face.

Even then, he didn't get angry-he simply walked into the bathroom silently.

Watching his tall, silent figure, I felt a tinge of guilt. But as soon as I recalled how he had ruined my entire future, that guilt vanished.

And so, I tormented and humiliated him for three years.

But three years was long enough for many things to change-like my family going bankrupt, like me developing feelings for him, and like... him asking me for a divorce.

When he handed me the divorce papers, he said his first love had returned.

I admit, at that moment, my heart ached as if a giant hand had gripped it, making it hard to breathe.

But having been spoiled since childhood, my pride wouldn't allow me to show a hint of sorrow in front of him. I decisively signed my name on the divorce papers.

As soon as I finished signing, his cool voice sounded beside me, "Do you need me to send a driver for you?"

I was stunned for a moment before I realized-

Yes, this mansion where I had lived for over twenty years no longer belonged to my family.

My family had gone bankrupt. Everything had been sold off.

And he-the man who once schemed to marry me, the live-in son-in-law we all looked down upon-had, unbeknownst to us, built his own company and was now thriving. He had even bought this mansion.

But I had no right to blame him or ask for a share of his wealth because he had built everything himself through patience and hard work. He had never used a single penny from our family.

He watched me quietly, without urging me.

Yet, his calmness made me recall all the ways I had mistreated him, and for the first time, I felt ashamed.

After all, in situations like this-where I had fallen and he had risen-he should have sought revenge for all the humiliation he had suffered.

But he didn't. He remained just as gentle as before.

I quickly said, "No need. I can go back on my own."

Then, flustered, I rushed out.

His indifferent voice followed behind me. "Did you come to see me for something?"

"No," I replied without looking back, running out of the courtyard.

Rain started to fall outside, and I clenched the small gift in my hand.

Today was our third wedding anniversary.

I had never treated him well before, but now that I realized my feelings for him, I had wanted to celebrate it properly with him.

But instead, what awaited me was a divorce agreement.

I chuckled self-mockingly, letting the downpour drench me completely.

The next day, I fell ill, curled up under the blanket, too weak to get up.

Outside, loud noises and commotion erupted.

Dragging my feeble body out, I saw my father sitting on a peeling old wall, saying he didn't want to live anymore.

We were now living in a rundown apartment complex-dirty and messy but cheap.

My mother was crying hysterically, saying if my father jumped, she would jump too.

With a throbbing headache, I tried to console my father. "It's just bankruptcy. As long as we're alive, there's always hope."

But then, my father suddenly fixed me with a piercing gaze, making my heart sink.

Then, he said, "Go and beg Julian for help. He's our son-in-law. He will definitely help us."

My mother quickly chimed in, "Yes! Even though we weren't good to him before, he'll surely help us for your sake. Go ask him."

I forced a bitter smile.

They still didn't know that he had already abandoned me.

I refused, but my father threatened to end his life.

Left with no choice, I finally agreed.

Before I left, my mother used the last of our money to dress me up-a deep V-neck dress, sexy pointed-toe heels.

She even hired someone to do my makeup and style my hair.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

I didn't look like I was going to beg for help-I looked like I was going to seduce someone.

But even if I stripped naked in front of him now, he probably wouldn't spare me a glance.

I still couldn't understand-why did he sleep with me that night at the reunion?

Was he drunk and mistook me for his first love?

Pushing away those messy thoughts, I decided to go through the motions, just to prove to my parents that he wouldn't help us.

I found out he was at his company and headed straight there.

My parents waited downstairs, hoping for 'good news.'

Seeing their hopeful expressions, I didn't know what to say-just felt a little bitter.

When I reached his office floor, people shot me strange looks, whispers of mockery filling the air.

I ignored them, straightened my back, and walked in.

But the moment I saw him, my confidence crumbled, and my shoulders hunched slightly.

He sat in his chair, exuding an air of nobility, smiling at me...

I twisted my fingers in shame and explained my purpose for coming.

His gaze darkened slightly, and he smiled as he asked, "Tell me, why would I help you?"

Realizing my request would be in vain, I laughed bitterly. "Then... just pretend I was never here."

Of course. After how we treated him back then, it was already merciful of him not to take revenge. How could he possibly help my family?

How thick-skinned was I to even come here to ask for help?

The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I felt.

I turned to leave, but he stopped me. "Tell me, what do you have to offer in exchange? If I find it valuable enough, I might consider helping."

I froze. I racked my brain but couldn't think of anything.

My body?

Heh, if he really had any desire for me, he had countless opportunities during our three years of marriage.

Yet, in those three years, he never touched me even once.

Lowering my head in shame, I whispered, "Just forget I was here."

But suddenly, he walked toward me.

He was tall, a full head taller than me.

Leaning down slightly, he chuckled near my ear, "Dressed like this, and yet you act all reserved?"

My blood instantly ran cold. Shame flooded over me, and I wanted nothing more than to flee.

But then, he hooked an arm around my waist and smirked. "I slept on the floor for three years. It's been a long time since I've tasted you. Why not... use yourself to beg me?"

I widened my eyes, thinking I must have misheard. "What... what did you just say?"

His deep gaze locked onto mine, his eyes as unfathomable as the sea, making me inexplicably nervous.

Without a word, he lowered his gaze, his slender fingers lightly tugging at the strap of my slip dress.

My face instantly flushed red. I shoved him away in a panic.

Furious, I said, "Fine! If you won't help, so be it! I didn't expect anything from you anyway. But even if you refuse, you don't have to humiliate me like this."

Julian looked at me with an unreadable expression-half-smiling, half-cold.

He asked, "You think I'm humiliating you?"

"Aren't you?"

He was clearly in love with someone else. If he did this to me, wasn't it humiliation?

Julian suddenly turned and sat back in his office chair. When he looked up at me again, his eyes held a chilling indifference.

He chuckled. "Your outfit shows sincerity, but your attitude lacks it. Since that's the case, you can leave."

I had already expected this outcome. Without another word, I turned and left.

-

As soon as I walked out of his company's doors, my parents rushed over.

My father anxiously asked, "Well? Is he willing to help us?"

I shook my head.

Immediately, my father cursed, "That ungrateful bastard! Now that he's rich, he refuses to acknowledge us. If I had known, I would never have let you marry him! This is infuriating!"

My mother also fumed, "Exactly! He always acted meek and obedient, but he turned out to be a heartless ingrate!"

I sighed helplessly. "Let's not talk about him like that. He never used our family's connections or money. How does that make him ungrateful?"

"Honestly, it makes sense that he won't help us. After all, we treated him so terribly before."

My parents pursed their lips, silent but clearly distressed.

Watching them like this made my head throb.

-

That night, my brother called every one of his so-called "brothers" from the past, hoping someone would lend him a hand.

Back when he invited them out for drinks, they would show up in minutes. But now? Not a single one dared to pick up his calls.

Enraged, my brother smashed his phone, cursing them for their lack of loyalty.

Curled up in bed, I tried to comfort him. "Forget it, bro. This is how the world works. People are fickle."

In the corner, my mother sobbed.

At this point, making a comeback was impossible. The most pressing issue now was the debt.

Every day, debt collectors came knocking, making it impossible for us to live in peace.

Once again, my father turned to me. "Ann, why don't you go ask Julian again? He has money now. Borrowing a little from him shouldn't be a problem."

My mother chimed in, "Exactly! Even though you're divorced, you should still be entitled to some of his assets, right?"

I curled up tighter in my blanket, unable to bring myself to tell them the truth-that Julian had left me with nothing.

Otherwise, they'd curse him even more.

My brother scowled. "Enough! Stop forcing her! After the way we treated him, how can you expect him to help? That's just sending her to be humiliated again!"

My mother suddenly looked at me. "Wait... Julian didn't humiliate you today, did he?"

Panicked, I quickly shook my head. "No, no, he didn't."

She muttered to herself, "That makes sense. Julian has always been mild-tempered and obedient. Even if we're down and out now, he genuinely admired and liked you. He wouldn't actually humiliate you."

I forced a weak smile but said nothing.

My father sighed and looked toward the open balcony, once again mumbling about not wanting to live anymore.

At his words, my mother began wailing again.

Hearing them like this made my headache even worse.

-

The biggest issue now was gathering money to pay off some of the debt.

A few days later, as soon as I recovered, I went out looking for a job.

Regular jobs had low salaries and slow earnings. But I knew that high-end clubs paid well for drink salespeople.

Back when I used to party with my friends, we'd tip those drink promoters generously when we were in a good mood.

So, I went to one of the clubs I used to frequent.

The manager recognized me. Remembering our past connection, he quickly hired me and even assigned me to serve VIP clients.

Delivering drinks to wealthy customers meant receiving plenty of tips.

But I never expected to run into Julian in one of those private rooms.

This man had never set foot in such places before-or at least, not in the three years we were married.

Back then, he strongly disapproved of me coming to places like this. Every time I went clubbing, he tried to stop me, telling me these places were improper.

Of course, I always berated him, humiliated him, and sent him away.

Thinking about the past, he really did seem like the perfect, obedient husband.

But now, sitting at the center of the room, legs crossed, a cigarette between his fingers, and a smirk on his lips, he exuded an air of dangerous charm.

So, all that meekness from before-it was just an act.

He sat there, watching me silently, his gaze arrogant and imposing, making me feel utterly humiliated.

If I had known he was in this private room, I wouldn't have come.

As I awkwardly pushed the drink cart, planning to slip away unnoticed, a playful whistle rang out.

Instinctively, I looked up and saw that everyone sitting beside Julian was part of my brother's old crew-people who once followed me around.

So, they were all sucking up to Julian now.

They knew how I used to treat him. Now, to win his favor, they wouldn't miss the chance to humiliate me.

At this moment, my best option was to leave.

But just as I turned to escape, a voice from the room spoke up.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Moore, President Carpenter's little wife? What's this? Coming for a drink? Wait... if you're here to drink, why are you wearing the staff uniform?"

As soon as the man finished speaking, the private room burst into laughter.

I gripped the handle of the cart tightly and took a deep breath.

Forget it. They had already seen me, and they were clearly intent on humiliating me. Running away wouldn't change anything, so I might as well face it head-on. Who knows, maybe I could even earn some tips from them.

Debt collectors were coming every day, my father kept saying he didn't want to live anymore, my mother cried herself to sleep each night, and my brother was working tirelessly as a delivery driver. At this point, what was the point of holding onto something as trivial as pride?

Pushing the cart forward, I forced a stiff but polite smile.

I smiled at them and said, "What a coincidence! Since you're here, why not support my business a little? If you have a good time drinking, maybe you could leave me a tip?"

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Bob shook his head and sneered.

Back then, he was always sucking up to me and my brother, calling us 'sis' and 'bro.' Now that my family had fallen, he looked absolutely delighted at my misfortune. I wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face.

But now wasn't the time to act on impulse-I needed money.

I maintained my smile and said nothing.

Bob suddenly leaned in close, gloating. "Look at this, look at this! Is this really the same arrogant Miss Moore from before? It's only been a short while, and you've already fallen this low? Tsk tsk tsk..."

Another wave of laughter erupted in the room.

Bill smirked wickedly. "You just asked us to support your business-what kind of business, exactly? You wouldn't mean that kind of business, would you? Haha! If that's the case, why don't you strip down first and let us inspect the goods? If the quality is too poor, we'd be losing out, wouldn't we? Hahaha!"

I clenched the bottle in my hand and glanced at Julian.

He sat there quietly, smoking his cigarette as if he hadn't heard their vulgar words. Or maybe he simply didn't care.

Lowering my gaze, I began setting the bottles on the bar counter one by one, keeping my forced smile. "You guys misunderstood. I meant the liquor business. Since we used to know each other, if you order drinks through me, I'll earn a little commission."

"Tsk, Miss Moore is this desperate for money now?" Bob suddenly threw a card onto the bar and sneered, "There's thirty grand on this card. Get down on all fours and bark like a dog for us, and it's yours. How about it?"

Laughter and whistling filled the room as everyone turned their eyes to me, eager for a show.

Even Julian was watching me. His expression was calm, but his gaze was so deep and unreadable that I dared not look into it for too long.

I didn't move right away. Bill suddenly tossed another card onto the bar. "Here's another hundred grand. If you bark and let us have you for the night, it's all yours."

I stared at him in shock.

Even if my family had fallen from grace, I was still Julian's wife. He was right here-how could Bill dare to suggest something like that?

Unless... Julian had already told them we were divorced.

Unless... he had made it clear to them how much he despised me.

"What's wrong? I thought you needed money?" Bill sneered. "You're still too proud for this? If you can't let go of your dignity, then what are you even doing here? We're offering you a good price. Do you know how many times you'd have to sell yourself outside to earn this much?"

He was right-I needed money.

But letting go of my pride didn't mean I had no limits.

I felt sick just looking at Bill's lecherous grin.

Picking up the hundred-thousand-dollar card, I threw it back at him and said mockingly, "A hundred grand? That's all you're offering for a night with me? If you really have the guts, put down a million."

I knew Bill well.

He barely had any money of his own, spent his days loafing around, and always pretended to be generous while actually being a cheapskate. Back when he had a girlfriend, he wouldn't even buy her a handbag.

Honestly, even getting him to cough up ten grand would be like pulling teeth.

For him to offer a hundred grand now, just to humiliate me, meant he must have truly hated me.

It made me wonder-was I really that awful of a person in the past?

"Hahaha, Bill, you are being stingy. She was Miss Moore, after all. How could you offer her just a hundred grand for a night?"

The room erupted with laughter again.

Bill's face turned red with rage. He glared at me and scoffed, "Honestly, even a hundred grand is too much for you."

I ignored his words and turned to Bob's card instead. "You were serious, right? If I bark like a dog, this thirty grand is mine?"

Bob hesitated, clearly not expecting me to take him seriously.

Like Bill, he was notoriously stingy.

Thirty grand must have been his entire savings.

He shifted uncomfortably and muttered, "You? The proud Miss Moore? No way you'd actually do it. Stop joking."

As he spoke, he reached for the card, clearly regretting his offer.

I dodged his hand and looked him straight in the eye. "I'm not joking. Barking a few times isn't hard, and thirty grand is a lot of money. Sounds like a good deal to me."

Bob's face twisted in regret. He stared at the card in my hand, clearly dying to snatch it back.

Bill grinned maliciously. "Well? Get down and do it, then! Let's see how the great Miss Moore begs like a dog."

My pride was long gone.

All I could think about was the debt collectors pounding on our door, my father talking about ending his life, my mother sobbing uncontrollably, and my brother breaking his back with deliveries.

I took a deep breath. "Alright."

Just as I was about to kneel, a firm hand suddenly caught my elbow.

Startled, I turned to look-

And met Julian's deep, unreadable gaze.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Leave," Julian said flatly, his words directed at the others.

The room instantly emptied as the others scrambled to obey.

Bob even snatched his thirty-grand card back on his way out. Pathetic.

Julian's dark eyes locked onto mine. "Are you really that desperate for money?"

I pulled my arm away from his grasp and took a step back. "Is President Carpenter asking just for the sake of it?"

My family's downfall was common knowledge in Chicago-I refused to believe he didn't already know.

"President Carpenter?" Julian repeated, amused by the title.

I had no idea what he was thinking, and I didn't have the energy to figure it out.

Pointing at the drinks on the bar, I said, "President Carpenter, here's the liquor you ordered. If you're happy with the service, feel free to leave me a tip."

Julian stared at me, his gaze unreadable.

The tip was just a passing comment-I didn't expect him to actually give me anything.

I smiled, ready to leave.

Then he said, "I'll give you a million."

I stopped in my tracks, stunned. "What?"

Julian stepped closer, his dark eyes boring into mine.

"I'll give you a million," he said, his voice calm and unwavering.

"One night with me."