Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

"Brother, I know I was wrong. It's all my fault—no, it's all Orlando Evans' fault! I was instigated by her. Please don't cut off my finances. If I don't have any money, how can I go out? The other heiresses will laugh me to death! Me, a young lady of the prominent Horne family, without a dime to my name—isn't that asking for my life? Brother, I beg you, please don't take back my bank cards."

A large hand mercilessly stretched out before her. Glades Horne's gaze was as cold as ice as he stared sharply at her, his lips pressed into a thin, hard line. The aura emanating from him made Adele Horne feel as if she were suffocating.

"Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have tried to harm you. Please, I beg you, ask Brother to show me some mercy, okay?" Adele Horne clutched her bank cards tightly, unwilling to surrender them. Seeing Julia Bluen held protectively in Glades Horne's embrace, she hastily appealed to Julia for help.

Julia Bluen looked at Glades Horne, but he refused to meet her gaze, clearly rejecting any plea for leniency. Julia stealthily winked. She hadn't said she would help Adele intercede, so who was that scowl for? Just confiscating Adele's bank cards? Such a punishment was too light! She certainly wouldn't intercede for Adele.

No one else would plead for Adele Horne. The twins even seemed to derive a bit of schadenfreude from her predicament. Their sister had been spoiled rotten by the family, becoming completely lawless. The only person who could manage her was their eldest brother. Naturally, they were pleased he was confiscating her bank cards.

"I won't hand them over!" Adele Horne stubbornly refused. They were her lifeline; who would willingly surrender their own life? she thought, trying to justify her actions.

Glades Horne didn't try to search her or forcibly take the bank cards. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called his secretary, Yang, instructing in a grave tone, "Secretary Yang, immediately contact the heads of all major banks and have all bank cards under Adele Horne's name frozen."

Secretary Yang was utterly shocked. It was nighttime, and all the major banks were closed. Even if she had the personal numbers of the bank heads, was it really appropriate to contact them at this hour?

"Carry it out immediately!" Glades Horne didn't care if it was day or night; whatever he set out to do had to be completed, even if the world were ending.

Secretary Yang didn't dare utter another word, promptly agreeing while inwardly speculating about the CEO's intentions. Wasn't Adele Horne the CEO's only sister?

Hearing Glades Horne's command, Adele Horne's face turned ashen. Even if she didn't hand over her cards, she would be penniless.

"Auntie Mei, immediately take two people to the Young Lady's room and confiscate all her jewelry and cash!" Adele Horne hadn't imagined her brother's punishment would be so far-reaching!

"Yes, Young Master." Auntie Mei quickly summoned two maids, and the three of them headed upstairs.

Adele Horne cried out, "Brother!" She was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan. Her brother was so ruthless!

"Glades," Gian Horne, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but try to plead for his daughter. Freezing her bank cards was one thing, but why confiscate everything valuable from his daughter's room?

Glades Horne glanced at his father but said nothing. He simply made another call, again to Secretary Yang. His tone was still cold and laced with anger: "Secretary Yang, tell the heads of all major banks to freeze my parents' bank cards for one month."

Secretary Yang was thoroughly startled. The CEO seemed to be furious about something. Good heavens, even his parents' bank cards were being frozen! This was no small outburst of anger.

"Glades!" Gian Horne and Mila Anderson both cried out. They were his parents, after all.

The elderly matriarch suddenly snickered to herself. This grandson of hers was ruthless when he handled matters, almost without regard for kinship. Let's see who would dare to bully my precious granddaughter-in-law in the future! Heh, I truly am wise. When it comes to the affairs of the younger generations, it's best for elders to just observe and not interfere too forcefully, otherwise... this is the kind of outcome you get.

Glades Horne cast a stern glance at his parents, his voice cold as he asked, "Would you like to add another month?" Though his father hadn't spoken, just by sitting here, he was complicit in the bullying of my wife, adding to her distress. Naturally, he had to be punished. These are my own family members; I can't physically strike them, so I must find other ways to discipline them.

Gian Horne and Mila Anderson exchanged glances, as silent as cicadas in winter, frantically shaking their heads.

Gian Horne considered that with his bank cards frozen for a month, he wouldn't be able to go out, and he certainly couldn't accompany Pheobe Rogers shopping. How would he get through this month?

Mila Anderson worried that with her bank cards frozen and no money on hand, how could she, Mrs. Horne, meet her affluent friends for mahjong? What excuse could she find to refuse their invitations? She had many valuable pieces of jewelry; should she sell them? But doing so would tarnish her status as Mrs. Horne. Alas, having grown accustomed to spending money like water, suddenly facing a penniless life felt truly unbearable. No wonder their daughter had desperately refused to hand over her bank cards. Yet, they couldn't stop their son's actions. His power alone could blot out the sky; who could escape punishment now?

Glades Horne made another call. This time, everyone tensed up, not knowing whose bank cards he would freeze next. Even the elderly matriarch grew a little anxious. She had a considerable amount of property to her name. Surely her grandson wouldn't freeze hers as well? As Heaven is my witness, I've always been on Julia Bluen's side!

"Ruiz, stop the monthly payments to my second and third uncles. Suspend them for three months!"

This time, Glades Horne was calling Hansen Ruiz, instructing him to suspend the monthly allowances for the Horne family's second and third elders. Although both were officials, their salaries were meager. For officials, the greatest fear was an accusation of corruption. Occupying high positions and bearing significant responsibilities, they were particularly wary of this, hence they maintained an image of incorruptibility, living solely on their salaries. However, their salaries alone could hardly support their large families in an upper-class, luxurious lifestyle. It was only through the monthly stipend provided by Valence Group that they could maintain such a standard of living.

It could be said that the entire Horne family depended on Valence Group for survival, and Glades Horne, who controlled Valence Group, was their ultimate provider.