My Husband's Childhood Friend Killed His Father

It was already late at night when I left the police station. I went straight to the hospital morgue.

A cold morgue slab held a body covered with a white sheet.

I stood there for a long time, but I did not have the courage to lift the sheet.

I was not close to my mother-in-law, but my father-in-law, John Larson, had been a good man.

Zeke had been spoiled by his mother and had grown up wild and unruly. John was the only one who disciplined him strictly.

He always said a person should live with a clear conscience.

He was also the only one in the family who had truly cared for me.

He kept in mind that I was his daughter-in-law and would give Zeke a stern talking-to whenever I was treated unfairly.

I took a deep breath, but I still could not lift the sheet.

I was afraid I would break down, cry, and ruin my plan.

When I got home, Zeke and Snow were sitting on the couch. A neatly arranged late-night snack sat on the table.

When he saw me, Zeke just gave me a quick glance.

“Back already? Everything is settled. Don’t be too upset.

“Snow saved some nourishing soup for you. Go ahead and have some.”

Snow immediately picked up a bowl and handed it to me with a bright smile.

“Sophia, try it. Zeke ordered it specially for me. It’s really good for your health.

“You’ll probably be up late these next few nights at the wake. Don’t let yourself get worn out.”

My stomach churned. I did not take it. Instead, I looked at Zeke.

“Zeke, what are you going to do about my father’s company?”

Zeke froze for a moment. He did not seem to expect me to bring it up so soon.

He put down his fork, wiped his mouth, and leaned forward as if discussing a serious matter.

“Your father passed suddenly. The company has no leader now.

“A woman like you can’t run a company. I think it’s better if I take over.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cheat you out of what’s yours. You’ll still get your yearly dividends and be taken care of.”

Snow stuck out her tongue and added from the side, “Yes, yes, Sophia! Zeke’s a business genius! I’m just too cute to do anything, though.

“Hand the company to him. It will be a hundred times better than if it were in your hands!”

I watched Snow back Zeke up and sneered inwardly.

My father’s company was the legacy my grandfather had left behind. It was worth tens of billions of dollars.

Zeke had wanted it for years, and he finally had his chance.

“Hand it over to you? Why should I?” I asked.

Zeke’s face darkened, and his tone grew impatient.

“Sophia, stop being ungrateful. Are you fully aware of your current situation? Do you still want to argue with me?

“Snow didn’t mean to cause your father’s death, but making a big deal out of it helps no one.

“I’m helping you out by handling the company and settling this issue. What more do you want?”

“I don’t want anything,” I said calmly.

“I just want to know how you plan to handle this.”

Zeke thought I had backed down, and his expression softened slightly.

“It’s simple. I’ve already hired a PR team. They will release an online statement tonight.”

He picked up his phone, opened a file, and showed it to me.

The headline was shocking.

[Late-Night Tragedy: Drunk Elderly Man Crossing the Street, Innocent Young Pianist Involved]

The article painted my father as a drunken old man who ignored traffic rules.

Snow was depicted as a terrified, kind-hearted musical prodigy.