Ethan adjusted the collar of his worn-out shirt as he walked through the bustling market, his mind already bracing for the stinging words waiting for him at home. Today was their anniversary, yet he anticipated no warmth from Jasmine. Though once kind-hearted and lively, his wife had grown cold, resentful even, believing she’d settled for a man who offered her nothing.As he approached their modest apartment, Ethan glanced over his shoulder to the sleek black car parked down the street. His discreet security team waited there, always watching over him, ready to act on his signal. They were his silent companions, just like him, concealing his true identity and role. To the outside world—and even to Jasmine—Ethan was merely a lowly employee, without fortune or influence.Inside, Jasmine barely looked up as he entered. Instead, she was engrossed in a conversation on the phone, chatting with her mother about the latest expansion of her boutique—a business she believed she had built on her

Jasmine stood in her boutique, holding a glossy magazine that featured the latest exposé on the city’s most mysterious figure: the CEO of Zenith Holdings. Known for his unmatched business acumen, the man behind Zenith had taken the industry by storm, amassing unimaginable wealth and power. Yet, he was a ghost—no one had seen him, no one even knew his name. And that mystery only seemed to amplify Jasmine’s admiration.“I can only imagine what it would be like to work under someone so brilliant,” she murmured to her assistant, glancing at the article with an almost dreamy expression. “To be mentored by him…or even meet him.” She laughed softly, the faintest hint of longing in her eyes.Ethan, who had been in the back storage room rearranging stock, overheard her words and felt an odd pang. The man she was unknowingly speaking about, the man she idolized so openly, was him. He was the mysterious CEO of Zenith Holdings, her silent supporter in every venture. He couldn’t reveal his identit

As Ethan wandered through the city streets, the cool night air seemed to sharpen his thoughts, clearing the haze of humiliation he had endured. Tonight had been the breaking point; he could no longer continue this life as a shadow, a man disregarded and humiliated by his own wife and her friends. For years, he had buried his true identity to fulfill his promise to Jasmine, hoping she might one day see the man he was beneath the surface. But that hope had finally crumbled, leaving only a resolve to rediscover himself.Just as he was about to turn back towards his apartment, his phone buzzed. He glanced down, surprised to see a message from an unknown number:“Long time, Ethan. Meet me at The Raven’s Den.”The Raven’s Den. The name stirred something deep within him. It was an upscale, private club known only to an elite few, nestled in the shadows of the city. It was a place where those of wealth, influence, and power gathered discreetly, far removed from the eyes of the public. Ethan h

In the wake of the disastrous family gathering, Ethan kept his distance from Jasmine and her family, quietly slipping back into the role of an unnoticed shadow in their lives. But he hadn’t completely severed his connection; despite everything, a part of him still felt compelled to protect Jasmine, even if she never understood his actions.A few weeks after that humiliating dinner, Ethan discovered something alarming while reviewing one of his many business portfolios: Jasmine’s family was on the verge of a financial disaster. Her father, Edward, had made a series of risky investments, and the market downturn had put every asset he owned at risk. They were losing money by the day, their luxurious lifestyle hanging by a thread. One wrong move, one missed payment, and everything they had worked for would collapse.Ethan could easily have allowed their empire to crumble, to let them taste the bitterness of failure without his silent support. But something held him back. He knew what it f

Ethan knew his wife’s family didn’t think highly of him, but Caleb—Jasmine’s younger brother—was a constant thorn. Caleb’s arrogance knew no bounds; he took every opportunity to belittle Ethan, boasting about his own “accomplishments” and never missing a chance to remind Ethan of his “lowly” status. Caleb’s disdain ran even deeper since the family’s business had recently been saved by the mysterious CEO, whom Caleb idolized, never suspecting the man he looked down on was the one responsible.One evening, the family gathered for another of Marjorie’s infamous dinners. Caleb, having had one too many drinks, was in rare form, mocking Ethan at every turn, snickering at his simple attire and making backhanded comments about his lack of career success.“I honestly don’t understand why my sister hasn’t thrown you out yet,” Caleb sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re useless, Ethan. A dead weight. It’s pathetic how you just cling to us like a parasite.”Ethan clenched his fists b