"What are you saying?" Tom tried to suppress his yawn as he heard his old, grumpy father-in-law burdening him with complaints.

The wrinkles on his face had multiplied.

"I’m saying, you need to help us. We don’t have any source of income, Tom," George requested him tiredly.

All his employees had started working under Sienna, and Finn was trying to reach him. Poor George had no choice but to block his number.

He couldn’t understand what had gotten into Sienna. Why was she behaving like this?

"You need my help," Tom poured himself a drink and then started swirling it in his glass, "What were you even thinking when you named your business in her name?"

George closed his eyes and shook his head in helplessness, "I don’t know, man. I was under anaesthesia... and lost my leg... I’ve heard... I’ve heard that people behave differently when they are under a certain drug."

Tom smirked, sipping his drink, "Under the drug? Ha-ha. It’s not drug. It’s your elder daughter. Mark my words. She is after your family. She got your leg cut and then made you sign those damn papers," He set his glass down harder than necessary.

"Sienna isn’t like that... she is submissive type..." George wanted to tell him that his other daughter was the complete opposite, but then he decided not to say anything.

It was not wise to tell Ruby’s traits to her husband. That too in her absence.

Tom chuckled and rested his head on the back of the chair, "I’m not a fool, George. If only... you had trusted me and had given me that company; you would be enjoying the easy profits every month."

George regretted it too. That was the reason he went for Tom while choosing a son-in-law. If only Hunter were also rich.

He made a mistake.

With a sigh, he bent ahead and struck the bell on his desk. The door to his study room opened, and Mariana came inside.

"Wow!" Tom chuckled drily, "Seriously? I thought you were summoning a peon."

Mariana’s face turned red, but she stayed quiet, "Yes, George?"

"Bring me coffee. Make sure to add creamer," He commanded her as if she were his slave.

Mariana turned away with a nod while Tom looked at his father-in-law in amusement, "Wow. She is obedient."

"Hmm... Wives should stay obedient. That’s the reason we marry these women..." George said, and then immediately regretted.

For a moment, he had forgotten that his daughter was Tom’s wife, "I ... meant to say..."

Tom laughed this time and got to his feet, "Don’t worry, George," He went to a showcase where there was a framed picture of Sienna and Ruby.

They both were smiling while looking at the camera.

"I have enough money to spoil my wife, George," He said, not realizing that he was tracing his finger lazily along Sienna’s jaw, "I know how to treat a woman. I just wish..." His voice dropped to a whisper, "I just wish you had married me to Sienna..."

George suddenly felt uncomfortable, "Hunter ... he must have swayed her. Sienna is too gullible to make her own decisions."

With a frown, Tom placed back the frame and looked at the old man, "It’s still not too late."

"What do you mean?" George gulped his saliva. He could feel it in his bones. This conversation was not going in the right direction.

"I’ll make everything right in your life..." He pointed towards his leg, "Except this. You will get everything back. Your business. Sienna’s land. And the profits from Star Realty and Projects will keep pouring in."

George sensed his mouth watering at the offer. This offer was good. Too good to be true.

He shot a gaze at his son-in-law, who was now watching him with narrowed eyes, "Come on..." He nodded, "Ask me what I want in return."

George forgot how to breathe, "What do you want in return, Tom?"

Tom smirked. He headed to George’s desk and then leaned over, "Sienna and..."

"And?" George asked him.

Tom leaned some more and whispered the word that sent George’s blood running cold.

"Wh...what?" He couldn’t believe it. It felt like a lifelong wish was about to come true.

Tom gave him a small, friendly nod.

***

Mariana Mason went to her husband’s study room and stopped dead in her tracks. Her husband was not only smiling to himself but also humming a song.

He raised his eyes, and his smile widened when he saw her standing in the doorway, "Hey, Mariana. Come over. Join me for a drink."

He lifted the wine bottle and started pouring it into another glass. Mariana thought she was looking at the wrong man. Or maybe she was dreaming.

George was more like a strict father to her. He could never become her husband unless he wanted se*x. She always wanted a husband who could provide her with good company, and they could raise children in a friendly environment.

But after marriage, she realized that George was not the man he had portrayed himself to be while he was trying to win her over.

"Mariana!" He rapped his knuckles on the desk, "Back to Earth!"

Mariana jerked, as George’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts, "N...no... I... I was happy... to see you happy."

She said with a small smile.

"I am happy, Mariana... We are lucky to have Tom as our son-in-law," Mariana wasn’t expecting that. George didn’t like any of his sons-in-law.

Then why the change of heart?

"Umm. George..." She swiped her tongue over her lips, "Did you... did you ask Tom about our daughter? Why is she not receiving our calls? Nor is she returning them."

"Oh. That..." George ran his fingers through his hair, "She... she is alright... he is taking very good care of her," George lied, avoiding eye contact with Mariana.

How to tell his wife that he forgot to ask his son-in-law about his own daughter because he was too excited about the offer.

Mariana didn’t seem convinced, but she stayed quiet. She needed to know about her daughter’s well-being.