The Marriage Auction

The factory had just finished expanding when my wife insisted on bringing her older brother in as our driver.

The very next day, my brother-in-law sold my $45,000 business car to a used car dealer. Not only that, he had the nerve to lecture me.

"You're just a small business owner," he said. "Driving a car this expensive is a waste. You might as well sell it and buy gold for my sister. At least that'll appreciate in value."

I swallowed my anger and tried to explain.

"I've never treated her poorly. I've never missed a holiday gift. Compared to what others spend, driving this car is already modest."

He flew into a rage instantly.

"You still dare talk back? My sister gets treated like a maid by your mother every day, and you pretend not to see it.

"Driving a luxury car, pretending to be rich, probably thinking about keeping a mistress. As long as I'm around, don't even think about it.

"In my family, women handle the money. You'd better transfer all your assets to my sister."

I turned to leave, but he punched me straight in the eye.

When my wife rushed over, she did not defend me. Instead, she scolded me for looking down on her family.

While I was being treated for my eye injury, she even allowed her brother to sell all the gold and expensive watches in our house. They used the money to buy a car for his son and even sold the house just to show off their wealth.

Meanwhile, she went online and complained about how miserable her married life had been.

I was so furious I was speechless. In the end, I called the police.

Since they were so eager to get their hands on my money, I decided they would not get a single cent.

I was drilling the crew on job safety when my phone started blaring. It was my wife, Ella Jamison, on the line. I picked it up immediately.

"Honey!"

She cut me off before I could get another word in.

"It's my brother, he's in deep trouble. You need to go help him, now!"

Her voice was panicked, and I knew that was no small matter. It smelled like danger.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a few of the guys, and we booked it to the spot Ella mentioned.

To my surprise, it was a used car lot.

My brother-in-law, Harold Jamison, spotted me and shot a glare at the bespectacled man next to him.

"See? This is the owner of the car, my brother-in-law. Satisfied? Now hand over the cash."

I was lost but relieved to see Harold in one piece.

I chuckled, "Harold, what's this all about? Is this guy ducking out on a debt to you?"

Given Harold's lordly air, I could not imagine any other scenario, and Ella sounded so urgent that it had to be a hefty sum.

The glasses guy looked me over and popped the question, "Sir, are you selling this car? 30 grand, firm."

He gestured to the side.

I glanced over and was stunned.

My voice cracked with disbelief. "That's my new car, what's it doing here?

"No, I'm not selling." I started to say.

However, Harold lost it, lashing out with a kick, "This isn't your place to talk, beat it."

He spun around, grabbed the glasses guy by the shirt, and bellowed, "You said bring the owner and we'd swap the car for cash, right?

"You think you can pull one over on me? I swear I'll wreck this dump of a dealership," he snarled.

He then turned to the crew I brought along, puffing up his chest in pride.

"Take a good look. These guys are my ride-or-die brothers. They wouldn't dream of stepping out of line. If you know what's good for you, you'll pay up now. It's your best bet."

The situation clicked into place for me in an instant.

Rage flared up, sending a chill through my voice, "Listen up, I'm not selling the car, and he's got no say in it."

"And if he doesn't back off, don't hesitate to call the cops."

What a ridiculous man. I shook my head in disbelief.

All that worry for nothing, not to mention the time wasted for my crew and me.