Chapter 3: Request For Divorce!

"Don't worry, Mom. I've already provided enough blood for Dad. The doctor said that his surgery could proceed as planned." Ethan reassured her, despite his mother-in-law's apparent aversion.

However, Mabel simply ignored him, intentionally turning to look at Toshan instead. It was only now that Ethan had a chance to observe the man: dressed in a vest and leather shoes, he exuded an air of sophistication and success, truly the epitome of an accomplished man.

"Toshan, you've heard as well. Melanie's father will have his surgery tonight. Thanks to you, the operation can proceed smoothly!"

As Mabel conversed with the man named Toshan, her beaming expression was entirely different from the one she wore when speaking with her son-in-law, Ethan. This made Ethan feel slightly uncomfortable.

Toshan, for his part, responded to Mabel with a smile: "Auntie, it's my responsibility to help out. Melanie and I are not strangers; I'm familiar with your family. I'm no longer planning to go abroad and want to settle down here."

As he spoke, Toshan glanced at Melanie, his eyes full of affection, completely ignoring Ethan's presence. Caught off-guard, Melanie awkwardly forced a smile: "Thank you so much! If there's anything I can do to help you in the future, just let me know."

"Melanie, why are you acting so distant?" Mabel interjected: "Toshan is a family friend. We're all close here, right Toshan?"

Mabel winked at Toshan, who readily agreed: "Yes, Auntie, you're right. Melanie and I were childhood sweethearts. If I hadn't had to move abroad suddenly, I would never have left her behind. I'm back now to start my own company. Once Melanie recovers, I'd like her to be my assistant."

Hearing Toshan's words, Mabel's face lit up with joy. She urged her daughter to accept, disregarding Ethan: "What are you waiting for? Thank Toshan! You won't have to do menial work anymore. With Toshan, you'll have a future. Learn from your friends – the ones who married well and started companies. They've even bought a few cars and built a house worth more than ten million!"

Seeing his mother-in-law's enthusiasm for Toshan and her desire for Melanie to work as his secretary, Ethan could no longer hold back: "Mom, I think Melanie's current job at the company is excellent. Why should she switch to being someone's secretary? Besides, I've heard that being a secretary doesn't pay much and requires working overtime!"

"What do you know?" Mabel snapped: "Melanie and Toshan have been friends since childhood. If it weren't for Toshan moving abroad with his family, do you think my daughter would have married a useless man like you?"

Mabel was in high spirits, encouraging Melanie to rekindle her old relationship with Toshan. Hearing Ethan interrupt, her anger flared. Meanwhile, Melanie remained silent, head bowed, lost in her thoughts.

Seeing her like this, Ethan felt like he had been stabbed with a thorn.

"I heard you work as a security guard at the Heyday Shopping Center. Was it Melanie who got you that job?"

At this moment, Toshan's indifferent voice suddenly rang out, causing the atmosphere in the hospital room to freeze.

"Yes, so what?"

Ethan could have had a better impression of Toshan, so his tone could have been more firm.

"Hmm!"

Toshan didn't expect a useless son-in-law like Ethan to dare to speak to him with such an attitude. Toshan couldn't help but feel angry internally. However, on the surface, he remained calm and casually replied.

"No big deal, I heard your job isn't going well, so I wanted to ask someone I know to help you out. After all, you are Melanie's husband, you shouldn't be working a lowly job like that!"

Hearing Toshan's words, Ethan knew this guy had no good intentions. However, knowing he couldn't argue with him, he didn't say anything too offensive.

"No need, I feel my job is fine, and I don't need anyone's help!"

However, as soon as Ethan's words left his mouth, his mother-in-law interrupted him, her tone filled with anger.

"Hmph, you don't know what's good for you! When someone wants to help you, what attitude are you showing? Hurry up and apologize to Toshan!"

These words, spoken by Mabel, didn't leave Ethan any dignity.

No matter what, he was still the son-in-law of the Edwards family, while Toshan was merely an outsider. However, in front of an outsider, his mother-in-law demanded that he apologize. It was clear that she was showing favoritism towards Toshan.

Ethan felt incredibly uncomfortable. Just as he was about to say something, Melanie's voice suddenly broke the silence.

"What are you standing there for? Don't make my mother angry; hurry up and apologize to her!"

One person demanded he apologizes to Toshan, while the other requested he apologizes to his mother-in-law. At that moment, Ethan felt like laughing. After so many years of caring for and looking after his wife's family, what he received in return was the unfair treatment he was facing now.

However, before Ethan could say anything, Toshan, who was standing to the side, added.

"Auntie, there's no need for him to apologize. This time I returned to the country not only to start a company but also to marry Melanie. If he agrees to divorce Melanie, I will arrange a good job for him in the company. I can even give him a large sum of money, enough for him to have a better life!"

Hearing these words and seeing Melanie's embarrassed and lowered gaze and his mother-in-law's expectant eyes, Ethan felt as if his heart was about to explode. He looked at the man in front of him and then at the two women from the Edwards family, his voice colder than ever.

"Who my wife wants to marry is not something an outsider like you has a say in!"

"Ha ha ha, Ethan, did you think your wife would want to marry a useless man like you? If it weren't for me leaving back then, there's no way a country bumpkin like you would have had the chance to marry her. Don't worry; even though you're useless, I'll still give you enough money to care for yourself!" Toshan's words were arrogant and extremely overbearing, completely dismissing Ethan.

However, Ethan's mother-in-law was highly pleased, happily interjecting: "You're so understanding! I've wanted her to divorce him for a long time, but she was adamant about staying. With you, things will be so much easier." 

Ethan's heart clenched, seeing his mother-in-law favoring an outsider, and his gaze turned towards Melanie. Yet, he received a look filled with embarrassment and unease from his wife, making his heart grow even colder.

"Melanie, do you want to divorce me like this?"

Ethan finally uttered these words after a long silence. However, Melanie's words shattered his heart even more: "I... I'm sorry!"

This was the cruelest thing Ethan had heard today. He had hoped that she could let go of her past, abandon the one who had betrayed her, and become a devoted wife with only him in her heart. But now, all he received was a remorseful apology from her. As if the world around him had changed entirely, Ethan's mind began to spin. He stumbled and fell to the ground amidst the mocking laughter of Toshan and his mother-in-law.