Forgotten Billionaire Son in law

Chapter 7

Victor Shaw’s smile stiffened the moment Ethan finished speaking.

At first, Victor  laughed, the sound sharp and dismissive, like he’d just heard a bad joke. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink in his glass, pretending Adrian’s words hadn’t touched him at all. To anyone watching, he looked relaxed,amused, even.

But inside, irritation simmered and it was almost getting to an over boil.

The more Victor  replayed Adrian’s calm tone in his head, the angrier he became. Ethan hadn't sounded nervous. There had been no hesitation, no awkward pause, no sign of bluffing.

 He had spoken like someone who knew something, like getting the ring from Victor  was already decided.

And that was unacceptable.

To Victor , Ethan was nothing more than a nobody who had somehow slipped into a high-profile auction meant for the city’s elite.

It was a mistake he married Lena but he won’t put much thought in that.

His clothes were simple, his name unfamiliar, his presence was wrong. Someone like him didn’t belong here. Someone like him didn’t get to challenge Victor Shaw.

Victor clenched his jaw.

Fine, he thought bitterly. Let’s see how you plan to do it.

Around the hall, whispers spread quickly, soft but cruel.

“Did you hear what that guy said?” One of the guests whispered.

“He said he was going to get the ring from Victor.”

“He thinks he can compete with Victor Shaw?”

“This should be interesting.”

Most of the guests had already made up their minds. Ethan was bluffing using confidence as armor to hide the fact that he didn’t belong here. They were waiting for the moment he’d be exposed and humiliated.

The auction officially began and the lights dimmed slightly as the host stepped onto the stage, smiling like he owned the room. One by one, luxury items were presented from rare watches to diamond necklaces, limited-edition artwork. 

“Okay ladies and gentlemen, I officially declare this auction to be open.” The host screamed into his microphone.

Each announcement sparked rapid bidding, numbers climbing effortlessly as hands shot into the air.

Ethan didn't move his paddle.

He sat back comfortably, one arm resting on the table, the other holding a fork. Instead of watching the stage, he focused on the food in front of him, eating slowly and calmly like this was just another night.

Victor noticed immediately.

A slow, mocking smile curved his lips.

“See?” he thought. He doesn’t even have the money to raise his hand.

Victor , on the other hand, was generous or at least he wanted to appear that way. When a pair of diamond earrings was introduced, he raised his paddle without hesitation.

“One million,” he said lazily.

“Sold to Mr. Shaw,” the host announced.

Applause followed as an assistant brought the velvet box over. Victor  turned dramatically toward Liana Hart and placed it in front of her.

“For you my beautiful princess,” he said smoothly.

Lena forced a smile. “Thank you.”

Victor basked in the attention. This was his world. His arena.

But Lena wasn’t fully present. Her eyes drifted once and twice toward Adrian.

He was laughing quietly, leaning toward Su Yanning as they talked. Whatever she said made Ethan grin, his eyes bright, completely relaxed. He didn’t look at Liana at all.

That unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

It was as if he had forgotten she had existed

Victor  noticed her distraction and followed her gaze. When he saw Ethan laughing, something dark flickered across his face.

“Interesting,” he muttered.

In his mind, Ethan’s silence only confirmed it. He has no money. He’s just hiding behind Su Yanning’s name.

The auction continued, excitement was building and the tension was rising. Then the host’s voice shifted, lower and more dramatic.

“Now ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “we have now reached the most mysterious and anticipated item of the night.”

The screen behind him changed and the ring appeared, resting on dark velvet. The metal looked old, worn by time, the gemstone was deep and hypnotic, it looked almost alive.

The moment Ethan saw it, something tightened in his chest.

His fingers curled slowly.

That pull, it was stronger than before and it was becoming impossible to ignore.

 It wasn’t just interest. The ring felt personal. Like the ring was calling to him. Like it belonged to him in a way he couldn’t explain.

His expression sharpened.

“I need it.” He whispered.

Su Yanning wrapped her hand around his and squeezed, “And you will get it.”

The host gripped the podium tightly and announced into the microphone, “the starting price is four million dollars.

The starting price was announced, and the room fell into an unusual silence.

A few hesitant bids followed.

“Five million.” 

“Five point five.”

“Six.”

The numbers climbed slowly. Even among powerful families, very few were willing to go higher.

Ethan stayed silent.

Victor watched him closely, confidence growing with every second.

“Well?” Victor  asked mockingly. “Are you planning to bid, or should we keep waiting?”

Ethan didn't look at him.

Victor smirked. “Thought so, what a weakling.”

He raised his paddle sharply. “Ten million.”

Gasps filled the hall.

“That high?!” One of the guests shouted.

“Only Victor Shaw would do that.”

“No one’s topping that.”

The host nodded, impressed. “Ten million from Mr. Shaw. Any higher bids?”

Silence stretched across the room.

Victor leaned toward Lena, smiling. “Looks like it’s mine.”

The host lifted his gavel. “Going once,”

“One million higher.”

A calm voice cut through the air like a blade.

The room froze and everyone looked at Ethan in surprise.

The host blinked. “Pardon?”

“Twelve million,” Ethan said, standing for the first time.

Shock exploded instantly.

“Did he just say twelve million dollars?” A woman screamed, crutching her pearls.

“Is he insane?”

“Who is that guy?!”

Victor shot to his feet. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”

Lena whispered urgently, “Victor calm down.”

He ignored her, eyes locked on Adrian. “Do you even know what you’re doing?”

Ethan met his gaze calmly. “I do.”

Victor  laughed sharply. “You don’t have that kind of money.”

The host cleared his throat. “Sir, please confirm your bid.”

“I confirm. I bid twelve million dollars,” Ethan said without hesitation.

Su leaned closer, voice low. “Adrian… are you sure?”

He nodded once. “Completely.”

Victor  raised his paddle again. “Fifteen million.”

A collective inhale filled the hall.

“Fifteen million from Mr. Shaw,” the host announced. “Any higher bids?”

“Sixteen million dollars ,” Ethan replied instantly.

Victor  slammed his paddle onto the table. “You’re doing this on purpose you bastard !”

“You’re free to stop,” Ethan said evenly with a smirk on his lips.

Lena stared at Ethan, heart racing. She had never seen Victor look like this,angry, rattled, uncertain.

Victor clenched his jaw. “Twenty million.”

Murmurs erupted across the hall.

“This is madness.”

“He’s really pushing him.”

“No way.”

Ethan exhaled slowly. “Twenty-two.”

People stood now, unable to stay seated.

Victor ’s hands trembled. “Who are you?” he snapped. “Where did you even come from?”

Ethan’s eyes flicked briefly to the ring. “Someone who won’t walk away.”

The host raised the gavel. “Twenty-two million. Going once… going twice…”

Victor  opened his mouth,then stopped.

“Sold,” the host declared. “To Mr. Ethan.”

The hall erupted in cheers and confusion.

Victor  stood frozen, humiliation burning through him, while Ethan finally allowed himself a small breath of relief.

The ring was his.

And nothing would ever be the same again.