After My In-Laws Tried to Rob Me, I Taught Them a Lesson

It was my younger brother's birthday, so I bought him a luxury watch as a gift.

When my brother-in-law found out, he started smashing things around the house.

I thought he was angry that I hadn't bought him anything, so I immediately bought a watch of the same value and presented it to him.

To my shock, he grabbed it and threw it far across the room.

"Edward, who gave you permission to spend so much money on Jacob?!"

I froze.

I'm spending my own moneydo I need anyone's permission?

Then he said something that completely shattered my worldview.

"Every penny you spend now is the money I'll need for my future wife! You buy Jacob a thirty-thousand-dollar watch, and my future marital home loses a solid wood bed!"

I couldn't help asking, "What kind of bed costs thirty thousand, and what does your future home have to do with me?"

"My sister said that when I get married, she'll gift me a riverside penthouse worth no less than thirty million!"

I suppressed my anger and nodded calmly.

"Oh, then go ask your sister yourself."

"Sis, can you control Edward? If this keeps up, he'll spend all my penthouse money!"

Heidi came up to me, winking and gesturing insistently.

"Just this once, it won't happen again."

I was about to lose my temper, but she lowered her voice and begged, "Honey, give me a little faceCyrus is still young. Why argue with him?"

She dragged me into the bedroom, muttering, "I need to teach you a lesson."

Once inside, she clasped her hands and bowed.

"Honey, I was wrong. Don't be mad. I just said yes to Cyrus casuallyI didn't expect him to take it seriously!"

This was what I like about Heidishe admits mistakes quickly and sincerely. Half my anger immediately melted away.

"You said it casually, and now we owe your brother an entire apartment! And he's actually taking it seriously. You need to set him straight."

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open. Cyrus charged in.

I was annoyed immediately. "Cyrus, how many times have I told you to knock before entering our room?!"

"Forget that useless stuff!" he waved a little notebook in his hand. "I need to set some rules right now, or when I get married, my penthouse will only have a toilet left!"

He started dictating rules as he scribbled furiously.

"From now on, all your monthly income goes to my account. I'll give you six hundred dollar pocket money per month. Any extra expenses require my approvalyou must submit a report for me to consider."

He continued scribbling. "Today, you spent thirty thousand dollars on Jacob's watch, and without my approval, you bought me another thirty thousand dollar watch. Now you owe me sixty thousand."

"This will be deducted from your pocket moneythree hundred dollar per month."

He pulled out his phone calculator and clicked. "That's two hundred monthssixteen years and eight months."

I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. "Heidi, is your brother insane?"

Heidi put a hand on my arm, signaling me to stay quiet.

"Fine, let's do it your way."

The moment she agreed, Cyrus beamed with joy.

"My sister is the best! Unlike some people, who don't know how to value family!"

Then he even rolled his eyes at me.

That was itI completely lost it.

"That's my biological brotherwe both share the surname Phillipshow is he an outsider? Cyrus, you need to get your position straight. I'm your brother-in-law, not your dad!"

"And I never agreed to give you all my income. I'm your senioryet you're trying to set rules for me! All those years of school wasteddidn't your teachers teach you to respect your elders?!"

Cyrus stomped his foot angrily. "Sis, can you control Edward? He's about to turn the world upside down!"

Heidi winked at me. "Honey, if Cyrus says so, just do as he says. You could save a lot of money if you listen to him."

"Save a lot of money? Sure, but it all goes into someone else's pocket. If your eyes hurt from watching, put in some eye dropsstop squinting and grumbling," I snapped.

Heidi tugged at me anxiously, lowering her voice. "What's the point of agreeing with him? Kids like this can be appeased easily."

"He's twenty, not two. And even if I agree with him, what do I do when he tells me to transfer money? Give it or not?" I huffed angrily.

"Of course, give it! We're familymoney belongs to all of us anyway."

I shoved Heidi away. "You're going too far!"

Just then, my in-laws returned from their walk. Cyrus immediately ran to tattle on me.

My mother-in-law rushed over, scolding me without a pause.

"Edward, I really don't mean to nag. But why buy your brother such an expensive watch? He's not even part of our family!"

"Since you married into our Ramos family, you're part of it now. In ancient times, if you were our son-in-law, your ties to the Phillips family would be cut!"

"Mom, what are you saying? I didn't marry into your family as a son-in-law. And if we follow your logic, Cyrus will get married toodoes that mean he's no longer part of the Ramos family?"

"That's different! When Cyrus gets married, his wife must follow the three obediences and four virtues. Our Cyrus will provide the house and the dowryhe won't be disrespected!"

I pinched my chin. "Oh? Then if I provide both the house and the dowry, does that mean Heidi has to follow the three obediences and four virtues toward me?"

"Nonsense!" My father-in-law bellowed, red-faced. "My daughter would never be subservient in her husband's house!"

Heidi nudged me gently, then smiled. "What time is it? Aren't you hungry? I'm starving. I'll cook, honeyyou help me crush the garlic."

My mother-in-law stomped her foot. "Cook? Forget cooking!"

She jabbed Heidi on the temple with her finger. "You, youwhy does a pretty wife always cook? Cooking is a mans job! Let your husband do it!"

"He's spoiled by you, eating and lazing around all day, spending money recklessly!"

"Mom, Edward doesn't know how to cook," Heidi replied.

"Then he should learn! In the future, you're not allowed to serve himhe cooks, and if he can't, he goes hungry! Don't spoil him!"

Cyrus suddenly grinned. "Brother-in-law, if you don't want to cook, that's fine too. As long as you meet my demands, my sister can make you cook."

"Right, sis?"

Heidi caught the hint and immediately came over to mediate.

"Honey, peace in the family brings prosperity. Let's both compromise, okay?"

"Compromise? I laughed softly.

How exactly? Do you want me to serve your entire family from now on, or do you want me to hand over all the money I earn to your brother?

Heidi, I said coldly, have you completely lost your mind?

I earn the money. I do the housework. And I still have to serve your whole family.

So whatif I married you, all youre giving me is that thing down there?

Do you think I need that thing from you?

Heidi's face darkened instantly. Edward, youre speaking way too harshly!

"Harsh? Compared to your whole family's greed, I'm already being polite!" I thundered.

I come from a privileged family in Los Angeles.

Heidi and I were college classmates. Her family was from a small county in a fifth-tier city.

After graduation, she chose low-paying temp work for a measly two thousand dollars a month.

I chose to start a business, seized the trend of the times, made a fortune, and now own my own company.

The gap between our two families became even more obvious.

Yet Heidi was obedient in every way, attending to even the smallest details, caring for me so meticulously that I got used to her devotion.

Eventually, I let myself fall into marriage with her.

After we got married, she handled the cooking while I washed the dishes. We split the household chores evenly, and life was peaceful and happy.

But just three months into our marriage, she decided to bring her younger brother and parents from the countryside to live with us.

She said, "I live in such a big house and eat so well, but when I think about Cyrus and Mom and Dad suffering in the countryside, my heart just aches."

"Honey, I want Cyrus and my parents to enjoy life with us. You'll support me, right?"

Honestly, I was strongly against living with my in-laws, especially with an extra younger brother added to the mix. But caught up in my newlywed bliss, I surprisingly nodded in agreement.

Once her parents and Cyrus moved in, I realized Heidi had a fatal flaw: she was utterly devoted to her parents, and her little brother.

Her favorite phrase was always: "My parents raised me with so much effort, and Cyrus is still youngshow some consideration for them."

Cyrus immediately started causing trouble. "Sis, I don't care! You promised me a riverside penthouse!"

Heidi hurried to soothe him. "Since I promised you, of course, I'll buy it for you!"

"Your sister said that just for fun! How can she buy it for you? With her two-thousand-dollar monthly salary?"

Cyrus's face turned red with anger. "The money you earn is my sister's anyway. Besides, you've been married for six months and haven't had a child yetI think you just can't have one."

"Later, when you're old, you'll rely on me to take care of you. And when you die, your money will still be mine!"

Her mother snorted. "Cyrus is right! It's been six months, and my daughter's belly hasn't shown a thing. The seventh of the Seven Deadly Sins is having no heir. We've been merciful not to divorce her directly!"

Cyrus crossed his arms and smiled. "Exactly."

I was shocked, staring at Heidi. "I can't have children?"

Before we married, Heidi and I had agreed to postpone having childrenwe wanted time for just the two of us, so we always took precautions.

Heidi turned her face away, completely ignoring me.

"Calm down, guys. Today, we're going out to eat."

She led her family out the door, giving me no attention at all.

I left alone and went to a Japanese restaurant, eating my fill. With my wealth, there was no reason I should starve myself.

I stayed out until late, and Heidi hadn't sent me a single message. I ended up staying at a hotel overnight, and the next day went straight to the office.

Still, Heidi remained silentthis time, she hadn't even attempted to apologize.

That afternoon, I received a shocking message: three million dollars from my fixed deposit had been withdrawn.

I felt like I had been struck by lightning and immediately called Heidi.

"Did you take the three million from my account?"

"Yes," she admitted without hesitation. "I gave it to Cyrusit's like we're giving him money for a house."

"Heidi, you better return that three million before I get home from work, or I'm calling the police."

By the time I returned home, no money had been deposited.

Cyrus strutted around me, completely smug.

"If you hadn't given me the money, my sister would have anyway. Now the three million is in my pocketwhy not just give it to me directly? You're getting old and still don't understand anything."

Then he even started singing in my face.

I looked at Heidi. "You're not planning to return this money, are you?"

Husband, Cyrus is my younger brother. Of course I want to give him the best, Heidi said righteously.

You earn so much money. Three million is nothing to youyou can earn it back in no time. Why are you being so calculative?

I nodded calmly. Alright. I understand what you mean.

Then I took out my phone and dialed 911.

Hello, Officer. Ive been robbed of three million. The suspects are my wife, Heidi Ramos, and her younger brother, Cyrus Ramos.

Heidi screamed and lunged at me, snatching my phone away.

Its a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! she said hastily into the phone. Sorry, Officer.

She hung up in a panic, her face pale with shock.

Edward, are you insane?!

Heidi, I said coldly, youre the insane one. You stole my phone and stopped me from calling the police. Fineif you like, Ill call again tomorrow using the company phone.

She froze.

Were family, she said anxiously. Is it really necessary to go this far? Is it too much for you, as Cyruss brother-in-law, to buy him a house? Or to give him some money when he gets married? Tell meis that too much?

I looked at her quietly.

Heidi, are you a billionaire?

Since three million is nothing, let me ask youhow much do you earn a month? How much savings do you have?

Her face flushed red instantly.

I know ityou look down on me! she shouted. You think my family is poor! You think Im useless!

I may not be as lucky as you, but I still have dignity!

I was genuinely amused by her shamelessness.

If I thought you were poor and useless, I wouldnt have married you, I said flatly.

Stop changing the subject. Ill ask you one last timeare you repaying the money or not?

Her face turned crimson. She panted heavily, then finally screamed, Give it back to him!

Cyrus immediately exploded. I wont return it! Once money enters my bank account, its mine!

Return it! Heidi snapped nervously. Didnt you see he called the police? Do you want to go to jail?!

Cyrus clenched his teeth, sulking. After a long moment, he reluctantly transferred the money back to me.

As he did, he glared at me viciously.

Sis, you should really change your husband.

I ignored them and went straight back to my room.

...

The next evening, after work, the moment I reached downstairs, I stopped.

My belongings were scattered all over the ground.

I lived on the third floor. I looked upand saw Cyrus standing on my balcony, casually throwing things down one by one.

When he spotted me, he shouted arrogantly, Edward! Today, on behalf of my sister, I officially kick you out!

He dragged a man forward proudly.

See? This is my new brother-in-law. He and my sister grew up together. Most importantlyhes much more sensible than you.

Only he is worthy of being the son-in-law of our Ramos family!

After speaking, he grabbed my clothes and shoes and flung them down hard.

The leather shoes I bought for twenty thousand were smashed beyond repair.

I looked at the mess on the ground.

Then I looked at Heidi, standing on the balcony, watching silently.

I suddenly laughed.