Chapter 1

On Valentine's Day, my mother-in-law was stabbed twenty times and died on the spot.

I took the murderer to court, but my wife, a top-tier defense attorney, chose to represent him for an acquittal.

When I confronted her in a rage, she just brushed it off with a cold look.

"Dante's brother is just a college student. Can't you show some mercy?"

"Dante and I will bring him to burn some incense for your mother later. Then you'll drop the lawsuit. Don't wait until you lose in court and embarrass me."

I looked at the body, which was mangled beyond recognition, and I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

She had no idea that the woman who had been stabbed to death was actually her own mother.

1

I had just delivered the body to the funeral home when my wife, Tessa Thorne, arrived with Dante Zale and his brother.

Dante looked at the funeral arrangements I was setting up and shook his head in disapproval.

"Justin, even if Tessa makes a lot of money, you shouldn't waste it on a dead person like this."

Dante's younger brother, Dexter Zale, went even further. He stepped forward and spat right on the body.

"You old hag, do you even deserve this?"

I lunged forward in a fury.

But Tessa shoved me back, shielding the two of them behind her.

"Dante and his brother are just telling the truth. Your mother is already dead. There's no point in wasting money on her."

I stared at Tessa in total shock. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

From the moment the victim was found until now, Tessa hadn't shown a single ounce of concern.

When I sued the killer, Dexter, she insisted on defending him.

She even used her connections and a lot of money to get Dexter out on bail while he was awaiting trial.

I thought she was just so blinded by her obsession with Dante that she had lost her mind.

I never imagined she actually thought the victim was my mother!

The irony was almost too much to bear.

Dante gave me a smug look, continuing to twist the knife.

"Justin, you should go get a refund. This must cost tens of thousands, right?"

"Your mother spent her whole life trying to scheme for Tessa's money. Are you trying to do the same now that she's dead?"

A look of pure disgust crossed Tessa's face.

"Why else would he do it? Like mother, like son."

"A wicked, greedy woman like your mother deserved to be stabbed to death."

I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. "My mother never did anything to hurt you. Don't you dare insult her!"

Tessa ignored me completely. She turned to the funeral home staff and spoke coldly.

"Refund everything. We aren't holding this funeral. You can deal with the body however you want."

Dante pointed toward a filthy, stagnant drainage ditch outside the funeral home.

"Tessa, we should still show some respect for the dead. Why don't we just leave the body there for a simple service?"

"After the cremation, we can just dump the ashes right into the water. It'll save money on an urn and a burial plot."

"What do you think, Justin?"

Tessa let out a sharp, mocking snort.

"He should be thanking you for being so kind!"

She immediately ordered the staff to move the body to the edge of the ditch.

I tried to stop them, but Tessa had her security team hold me back.

I watched as my mother-in-law's body was dumped unceremoniously by that foul water. My heart ached for her.

Tessa had lost her father when she was very young. Her mother had raised her single-handedly, playing both parents.

Her mother would eat nothing but plain bread just so Tessa could afford top-tier tutoring.

And this was the thanks she got. Tessa wouldn't even give her a decent burial.

Suddenly, there was a heavy thud. Dexter had actually kicked the body right into the filthy ditch.

He gave me a malicious, provocative grin. "Oops, my foot slipped. You aren't going to be mad about that, are you, old man?"

Before I could say a word, Tessa glared at me.

"Dexter didn't do it on purpose. Just go get some water and wash it off later. There's no need to get angry."

Looking at the body floating in the filth, I started laughing from pure rage.

"Tessa Thorne, you are going to regret this!"

When she finally realizes whose body she treated like trash, I hope she stays this arrogant!