My WONDERFUL SON-IN-LAW

watching from behind

....

The Park family villa was filled with laughter.

Unfortunately, all of it was directed at Ethan Reed.

"Look at him!" Mrs. Park said while pointing at Ethan, who was carrying a stack of shopping bags. "A grown man who can't even afford his own socks."

The dining room erupted with laughter.

Ethan simply smiled.

"Mother, you're right. Maybe I should ask for a salary from the family," he joked.

His brother-in-law, Kevin Park, nearly spilled his drink.

"A salary? For doing what? Breathing our air?"

More laughter followed.

Ethan scratched his head and gave a foolish grin.

"That's a fair point."

To everyone in the room, Ethan looked like a harmless idiot.

He wore cheap clothes, drove an old car, and spent most of his time doing errands for the family.

For three years, he had endured their mockery.

Three years of insults.

Three years of humiliation.

Three years of pretending.

Only one person remained silent.

His wife, Sophia Park.

She sat quietly at the table, staring at her food.

Unlike the rest of her family, she never insulted Ethan directly. However, she rarely defended him either.

That hurt more than any insult.

"Tomorrow is Grandpa's birthday banquet," Kevin said proudly. "I've prepared a gift worth fifty thousand dollars."

The family gasped in admiration.

Mrs. Park nodded approvingly.

"That's my son."

Kevin looked toward Ethan with a smirk.

"What about you? Don't tell me you're bringing another cheap tea set."

The room burst into laughter again.

Ethan thought for a moment.

"I haven't decided yet."

Mrs. Park rolled her eyes.

"Of course you haven't. People without money don't have many options."

Sophia lowered her head.

She felt embarrassed.

After all, Ethan was her husband.

No matter how disappointing he seemed, seeing him humiliated daily made her uncomfortable.

After dinner, Ethan quietly washed the dishes.

The family returned to discussing business opportunities.

None of them noticed Ethan's phone vibrating.

A name flashed on the screen.

Victor.

Ethan stepped outside before answering.

"Young Master."

Victor's respectful voice came through immediately.

"How is everything?"

Ethan leaned against a pillar.

"The same."

"Still pretending?"

"Of course."

Victor sighed.

"The board of directors is asking when you'll return. The company cannot continue operating without its true chairman forever."

Ethan smiled.

"They've survived three years. They can survive a little longer."

If anyone from the Park family heard this conversation, they would faint.

The company Victor referred to was Reed Global Holdings.

One of the largest corporations in South Korea.

Hotels.

Banks.

Technology companies.

Construction firms.

Reed Global controlled billions of dollars in assets.

And Ethan owned it all.

"There's another issue," Victor continued.

"The Park family has benefited greatly from several anonymous investments."

Ethan laughed.

"I know."

For years, he had secretly helped Sophia's family.

Every successful business deal they celebrated.

Every lucky investment they bragged about.

Every financial rescue they received.

All of it came from Ethan.

Yet they never knew.

In fact, they believed their success was entirely their own achievement.

"Should I stop supporting them?" Victor asked.

Ethan looked toward the brightly lit villa.

Through the window, he could see the family celebrating.

Mocking him.

Laughing at him.

Treating him like a servant.

"Not yet."

"Young Master?"

"I want to see how greedy they can become."

A dangerous smile appeared on Ethan's face.

"Some lessons are only learned when people lose everything."

Victor immediately understood.

The Park family was approaching a cliff.

The only difference was that they didn't know it yet.

After ending the call, Ethan walked back inside.

The moment he entered, Kevin tossed a car key onto the table.

"Hey, Ethan."

"What is it?"

"My car needs washing tomorrow morning."

Ethan blinked.

"You want me to wash it?"

Kevin smirked.

"Who else?"

Before Ethan could answer, Mrs. Park spoke.

"Make sure you do a good job. The car is worth more than everything you own."

The family laughed once again.

Ethan nodded seriously.

"I'll make it shine."

"Good."

As everyone prepared to leave, Sophia approached him.

For the first time that evening, she looked directly into his eyes.

"Ethan."

"Yes?"

"You don't have to let them treat you like this."

Ethan smiled gently.

"Are you worried about me?"

Sophia hesitated.

"A little."

His smile widened.

That single sentence made the entire humiliating dinner worth it.

Unfortunately, Sophia quickly looked away.

"Just don't embarrass me at Grandpa's banquet tomorrow."

Ethan chuckled.

"I'll try."

After she left, Ethan stood alone in the hallway.

His expression slowly changed.

The foolish smile disappeared.

The awkward posture vanished.

His eyes became calm and sharp.

For a brief moment, he looked exactly like the man who ruled a billion-dollar empire.

Tomorrow would be Grandpa Park's birthday banquet.

A gathering of powerful businessmen, wealthy investors, and influential families.

The Park family expected another day of glory.

They expected another opportunity to laugh at their useless son-in-law.

What they didn't know was that fate had already begun moving.

And very soon, the "fool" they despised would become the most important man in the room.

The countdown to the Park family's downfall had officially begun.