My Poor Son-in-law is Tycoon

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Lenora stared at Alexis sharply, hoping he still remembered her threat earlier that morning that she wouldn’t hesitate to throw him out if he revealed his status to Vincenzo. 

"Why are you asking me that, Mom? I’m Zelle’s husband," Alexis said, trying to stay polite, even though anger boiled inside him.  

He didn’t mind being treated like a servant by his in-laws, but he couldn’t accept them giving Zelle to another man.  

Earlier, Lenora had ordered Alexis to hide his marital status from the Morris family, claiming it would help Zelle secure a business contract with Vincenzo. Without much thought, Alexis agreed because he loved Zelle and wanted to support her dreams. 

However, he never imagined the way they intended to secure the contract was by making Zelle Vincenzo’s lover.  

The realization broke Alexis’ heart. He had spent so much effort helping Zelle and the Cornell family, only to welcome her affair.  

"Mom?" Vincenzo repeated, his eyebrows furrowed. "Did I hear that right? Did he just call you 'Mom,' Mrs. Lenora?" He looked at the elegant woman suspiciously.  

Lenora froze, unsure how to respond. She glanced at her husband and other family members, silently pleading for help.  

"Forgive him, Vincenzo," Helen, Carlos’s youngest daughter, chimed in with a friendly smile. "Not only is he blind, but he’s also delusional. He’s obsessed with Zelle because of her beauty. I’m sure even you can’t resist her, can you?"

"You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Helen," Vincenzo said, gently stroking Zelle’s silky-smooth cheek. Helen’s explanation made sense. No man could resist Zelle’s natural beauty, a beauty akin to a goddess.  

"She’s breathtaking," Vincenzo added with a charming smile. "That’s why I immediately agreed to this partnership once Zelle became my wife." 

"You’re all cruel!" Alexis’ anger finally exploded. "All this time, I stayed silent while you insulted and enslaved me! But I won’t stay quiet while you help Zelle betray me! If Mr. Carlos hears about this, he’ll—"

SLAP!

Alexis clutched his stinging cheek, unsure who had just struck him.  

"Stop spouting nonsense, you blind fool!" Zelle shouted angrily.  

Alexis’ heart shattered into pieces when he realized it was his wife who had slapped him.  

"I am the granddaughter of Carlos, the owner of Cornell Corp and the third-richest man in the world. Do you think I’d ever stoop so low as to be your wife? The thought alone makes me sick!"

Alexis was too heartbroken to say anything.  

"Now get out of here! Go do your chores! If you don’t, I’ll have you fired!" 

"You’re cruel," Alexis said, his voice trembling with disappointment. "I’ll make you regret this." He turned to leave, but Zelle stuck out her foot, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.  

The entire Cornell family burst into laughter, including Vincenzo.  

"Do you seriously think you can make us regret anything, Alexis?" Vincenzo sneered. "In your pathetic condition, you couldn’t harm a fly."  

"Are you okay, Mr. Alexis?" Raymond, the Morris family’s head assistant, quickly helped him to his feet.  

"Take your hands off him, Raymond," Vincenzo scoffed. "Who gave you permission to help him?" Vincenzo glared at his assistant.  

"But—"

"Don’t think that just because you’ve served my grandfather for decades, you can defy my orders!"

The room fell silent at Vincenzo’s outburst. His fury was terrifying, and his authority in the United States was unmatched.  

"Don’t worry about me, Sir. I’m fine," Alexis said softly before hurrying to the kitchen, tears streaming down his face.  

He was tired of being treated like garbage. From the start, he had rejected the arranged marriage with Zelle, but he couldn’t bear to refuse Carlos’ request. The old man had supported him for years at the orphanage.  

If not for Carlos’ kindness, Alexis would have left this hell long ago.  

Suddenly, a phone rang loudly, stopping Alexis in his tracks.  

"What is it now? Howard, Carlos’ eldest son, answered sharply, annoyance clear in his tone. Everyone in the room turned their attention to him.  

"Don’t you know we have important guests right now?" Howard snapped into the phone.  

His expression changed to one of tension. "What’s wrong with Carlos?" His voice grew worried.  

Alexis perked up at the mention of Carlos’ name and deliberately eavesdropped.  

"What?!" Howard’s shocked yell heightened the tension in the room. "Alright! We’ll be there immediately!"  

"What’s wrong, Howard?" Lenora asked anxiously, as did the others.  

"Daddy's condition has worsened," Howard answered grimly. "The doctor said there’s no hope left for him."

"Oh my God!" Helen sobbed uncontrollably as Adam and Leonardo tried to comfort her.  

"This feels like a nightmare," Harold, Carlos’ second son, murmured.  

"We need to get to the hospital! Let’s go!"

Before they could leave, Howard’s phone rang again. Without checking the caller ID, he answered.  

"What now?!"

"This is Marcus Aurelius, Mr. Carlos’ attorney," a calm voice spoke on the other end. "I assume you’ve already heard the bad news from the hospital. Therefore, I need you to bring all members of the Cornell family to the hospital so I can read Mr. Carlos’ will."

A sly grin crept onto Howard’s face, though he quickly masked it. Soon, his daughter would take the top position at Cornell Corp, fulfilling her promise to marry Alexis.  

"I got it!"

The call ended.  

"What did he say?" Helen asked curiously, noticing her brother’s pleased expression.  

"The attorney will read the will at the hospital," Howard replied.  

"Really?"

"Let’s go. We need to get there quickly. You’re welcome to join us, Mr. Vincenzo."

"It would be an honor. I’d also like to visit Mr. Carlos," Vincenzo replied politely.  

The family hurried to the lobby.  

"Wait! I want to come too!"Alexis called after them.  

"Stay here, you idiot!" Mikaela, Harold’s daughter, snapped at him. "You’re not part of the Cornell family!"

They left Alexis behind without a second glance, leaving him to sigh in frustration.  

***

Everyone stood around Carlos’ hospital bed, tears streaming down their faces. Machines beeped softly, keeping the frail man alive.  

"Tonight, I will read Mr. Carlos’ final will," Marcus announced solemnly.  

'Finally,' Lenora thought, hiding a wicked smile. Once her father-in-law passed, Zelle would take over Cornell Corp as the eldest and most cherished grandchild.  

"In his will, Mr. Carlos stated… that he leaves all his wealth to…" Marcus paused, scanning the faces of the Cornell family with a serious expression.  

Lenora lifted her chin arrogantly, confident Zelle’s name would be called.  

Meanwhile, Harold and Helen exchanged irritated glances, already expecting Zelle to be the favored heir.  

"Alexis Cornell!" 

"WHAT?!"