Forgotten Billionaire Son in law

Chapter 5

The luxury sedan slowed to a smooth stop in front of the brightly lit banquet hall.

Golden lights spilled from the entrance, illuminating a long red carpet lined with cameras, reporters, and elegantly dressed guests. The air buzzed with laughter, soft music, and the quiet confidence of people who belonged here.

Inside the car, Su Yanning held her phone to her ear, her expression cool and composed as she finished a call.

“Handle it tomorrow morning,” she said calmly. “I want a full report on it.”

She ended the call and turned slightly. “You can go in first, sir. I’ll be right behind you.”

Ethan nodded. “Alright then.”

He opened the door and stepped out of the car.

The moment his feet touched the ground, a few nearby guests glanced over,some curious, some dismissive. Ethan wore a simple but well-fitted black suit. It wasn’t flashy, but it sat on him naturally, giving off a quiet, restrained presence.

As he walked toward the entrance, a familiar voice stopped him.

“Ethan?”

He looked up and Lena stood a few steps away, dressed in an elegant silver gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was styled neatly, makeup flawless. Standing beside her was Victor Shaw, tall and confident in a tailored suit, his hand resting possessively at her waist.

Lena’s eyes widened slightly in shock and subtly moved away from Victor. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

Ethan’s gaze flicked briefly to Victor, then back to her. “I’m attending the auction.”

Lena frowned instantly.

“Really following me here?” she asked coldly. “Ethan, haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”

Victor chuckled softly, his eyes full of mockery. “I told you he’d show up sooner or later, he was a sappy boy.”

He stepped forward slightly, looking Ethan up and down. “So this is what you’re reduced to now? Chasing your ex-wife to high-end banquets?”

Ethan’s expression remained calm. “Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not here for her.”

Lena’s disappointment was obvious but she quickly composed herself. “Ethan, I already told you,what you did at the bank today was serious. Pretending to own a black card, getting involved in fraud… have you really fallen this low just because of the divorce?”

Ethan looked at her quietly. “For someone who claims to know me so well,” he said flatly, “you seem very confident in believing anything bad about me.”

Lena clenched her fingers. “Then why are you here? Do you even know what kind of people attend this banquet?”

Victor scoffed. “This isn’t a place where warehouse workers belong. You’ll only humiliate yourself.”

Ethan’s lips curved slightly. “I’m here for the auction.”

That answer only angered Lena more.

“Ungrateful,” she snapped. “Even now, you’re still lying. Do you know how big a disaster it’ll be if the real owner of that black card finds out?”

Victor waved dismissively. “Enough, Lena. Don’t waste your breath on him. If you keep getting involved, you might get dragged down too.”

He leaned closer to Ethan, his voice low and smug. “People like you should know your place.”

Before Ethan could respond, the sound of another car door opening echoed behind them.

Click.

Click.

High heels struck the ground with a steady, confident rhythm.

The surrounding chatter quieted subtly.

Su Yanning stepped out of the car, she wore a deep wine-red evening dress, elegant yet bold, perfectly outlining her figure. Her long hair flowed freely over her shoulders, and the moment she straightened, her aura pressed outward effortlessly.

It wasn’t just beauty.

It was authority.

For a brief moment, even Lena felt her breath catch.

Su Yanning glanced around and immediately saw Ethan surrounded by Lena and Victor.

She took in the scene in one glance and then she smiled.

She walked over without hesitation and stopped beside Ethan, standing close, very close.

Her hand slipped naturally around his arm.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said softly, her voice warm and intimate. “Did I keep you waiting too long?”

Ethan stiffened slightly in surprise but he quickly understood.

She was helping him out from this situation.

He relaxed and nodded calmly. “Just arrived myself so you’re on time.”

Su Yanning smiled and leaned in a little closer, her fingers tightening lightly on his sleeve.

Lena froze and her eyes widened as she stared at the woman beside Ethan.

“Who… is she?” Lena asked slowly.

Victor’s confident smile faltered at Lena’s tone but he quickly composed himself.

Su Yanning turned to them, her gaze calm but sharp. “I’m his partner of course.”

She said it casually and so naturally as if it were an unquestionable fact.

Lena felt a strange sting in her chest.

Partner?

He got a partner so soon?

Anger flared instantly, mixed with something she didn’t want to admit,jealousy.

“You’ve moved on quickly,” Lena said coldly.

Ethan didn’t respond.

But the closeness between him and Su Yanning made her grip her clutch tighter.

Victor forced a laugh. “Miss, you might want to be careful. Do you know who he is?”

Su Yanning looked at him, amused. “I do.”

Victor raised his chin. “Then you should know he’s involved in fraud. The black card,”

“Enough blabbing,” Su Yanning interrupted calmly.

Her tone wasn’t loud, but it carried weight.

Victor’s words stopped abruptly.

She stepped even closer to Ethan, her shoulder brushing his arm. For a split second, Ethan felt a strange warmth spread through his chest, an unfamiliar sensation that made his heartbeat quicken slightly.

It felt… odd.

Not unpleasant.

Just unexpected.

Su Yanning smiled faintly. “You seem very concerned about my boyfriend’s affairs.”

Boyfriend!

The word hit Lena harder than she expected.

Her expression darkened and she clutched her pulse with anger pumping in her veins.

Victor, however, suddenly felt something was off.

He studied Su Yanning more carefully.

Her bearing was radiant.

Her confidence was off the charts

The way nearby guests subtly glanced at her with respect.

A realization struck him.

“Wait…” Victor hesitated. “You’re Su Yanning right?”

Su Yanning tilted her head. “You know me?”

Victor’s face changed instantly.

Of course he knew her.

Senior Director of National Union Bank.

One of the most powerful women in the city’s financial circle.

A person he had tried and failed multiple times to contact.

Victor swallowed. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Director Su.”

Su Yanning smiled politely. “Likewise.”

Victor forced a stiff smile. “I didn’t realize Ethan was… connected to you.”

Suddenly, everything made sense.

The black card incident.

The lack of arrest.

Ethan’s calmness.

Victor’s jealousy twisted into suspicion.

So that’s it, he thought.

He hooked up with her.

That must be how he escaped trouble.

That must be how he got in.

Victor laughed awkwardly. “Well, that explains it.”

Su Yanning raised an eyebrow. “Explains what?”

Victor waved his hand vaguely. “Nothing important.”

He leaned toward Lena and whispered, “You see? He’s relying on her now. Let it go.”

Lena looked at Ethan again.

Standing beside Su Yanning, he looked… different. He looked Calmer and more istant.

And for the first time, she felt a pang of regret she didn’t understand.

Su Yanning glanced at Ethan. “Shall we go in? The auction list is impressive tonight.”

Ethan nodded. “Let’s go.”

They turned and walked toward the entrance together.

Victor watched them go, his smile stiff.

So Ethan wasn’t arrested.

Not because he was innocent,

But because he found a powerful backer.

Victor’s eyes darkened and clutched his fist.

Inside the hall, Su Yanning loosened her grip slightly and glanced at Ethan with a teasing smile. “I hope you don’t mind what I did.”

“I don’t,” he replied honestly.

She studied his profile briefly. For a man surrounded by rumors and contempt, he stood remarkably steady.

And somehow,

She felt closer to him than she expected.

As the doors closed behind them, Lena stood frozen outside, watching their backs disappear into the glittering hall.

For the first time since the divorce,

She wasn’t sure anymore who had truly lost something.