RISE OF THE WORTHLESS SON-IN-LAW

CHAPTER THREE

In Vortex Inc. Ethan Cole pushed open the door to the director’s office and stepped inside.

Mr. Cadwell, the director, was sitting behind the desk, leaning back in his chair with a glass of vodka in his hand.

“Ethan Cole,” Mr. Cadwell said the moment Authur walked in. “You are no longer employed here. Take off your badge and leave immediately!”

For a moment, Ethan stood frozen, trying to process what he had just heard. His brows furrowed as he took a step closer. “You’re firing me? Why?” His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it.

Mr. Cadwell let out a mocking laugh. “Why?” he repeated, shaking his head as if Ethan had asked the dumbest question in the world. “You’ve got five strikes, Ethan. Five! For leaving work early every time you feel like it, never bothering to finish your shifts. Do you think this company is your family business? This is Vortex Inc. We have rules and if you break them, you will pay the Cole!”

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “I leave early because I have a family emergency to take care of. My wife need;”

“Spare me the sob story,” Mr. Cadwell cut in, his voice dripping with mockery. “Everyone here has a family, but they still do their jobs. Maybe if you spent less time running home like a scared little boy, you wouldn’t be getting kicked out right now. But no, you act like the rules don’t apply to you. Consider this your last warning, Ethan. You're fired.”

Ethan’s fists tightened by his sides, but he held himself back. “You’re doing this because you’ve got a personal issue with me.”

“Shut your fucking mouth!” Mr. Cadwell snapped, his face twisting with anger. “You think too highly of yourself. Who do you think you are to talk to me that way? You’re nothing but a broke man living off his wife and her family. Why should I waste my precious time thinking about you?”

Ethan’s eyes burned with fury, but before he could speak again, Mr. Cadwell leaned forward, a cruel smirk curling his lips. “And by the way, it’s not just your work habits that got you fired. Word is spreading fast, Ethan. Everyone in New Falls knows your wife is about to be married off to Mr. Harlow from Harlow Corporation. Looks like your mother-in-law finally found a real man to replace you. How does it feel to know your wife is moving on while you stand here looking like a fool?”

Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest. His mother-in-law. Of course, this had her fingerprints all over it. Ever since he married Clara, the woman had done everything she could to humiliate and push him out. It wasn’t enough that he worked hard to support the family, nothing he did was ever good enough for her. And now, she was trying to get rid of him completely by forcing Clara into another marriage and advising his boss to fire him.

“You’ve got no right to talk about my wife,” Ethan said quietly, his voice dangerously low.

Mr. Cadwell laughed again, louder this time. “Why not? It’s public knowledge. You didn’t know? Maybe if you paid attention instead of running home early, you’d realize you’re already out of the picture. You’re nothing but a joke to everyone here.”

Ethan stepped forward without a word.

Slap! Slap!

Mr. Cadwell’s head jerked to the side as Ethan delivered two swift, stinging slaps across his face. The office went silent except for the sound of Mr. Cadwell’s heavy breathing as he touched his cheek in shock.

“I’ll leave,” Ethan said coldly. “But make sure you keep my wife's name out of your mouth. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.” He turned sharply and walked toward the door.

“Y-You’ll pay for this, Ethan!” Mr. Cadwell shouted after him, still clutching his burning cheek. “You think you can hit me and walk away? You’re finished! I’ll make sure you never work in this city again!”

Ethan didn’t bother to respond. He was done wasting his breath on a man like Cadwell.

As he stepped out of the building. A few of his coworkers stood nearby, and the moment they spotted him, they began whispering among themselves.

“Did you hear?” one of them said, just loud enough for Ethan to catch. “Clara Shaw is leaving him for Mr. Harlow.”

“Of course, her family has been planning this for months,” another voice added. “Can you blame her? He’s been living off her family since day one. Harlow Corporation is worth billions. Who wouldn’t choose a man like Mr. Harlow?”

“Well, it’s his fault. A man who can’t provide shouldn’t expect a beautiful woman to stick around,” someone else said with a sneer. “Clara deserves better.”

“I even heard the wedding is already being planned. It’s only a matter of time before she dumps him completely.”

These words hit Ethan like a slap to the face, but he kept walking. He knew how people saw him, a useless son-in-law, a man who couldn’t live up to expectations. No one cared about the years he spent trying to prove himself and none of them saw the sacrifices he made.

“He looks mad,” one coworker murmured, shrinking back when Ethan’s sharp glare swept over the group. His eyes were cold and fierce, making the others quickly avert their gazes and hurry inside.

Racheal Shaw is this what you wanted? Ethan thought bitterly. I gave everything to your family. I worked hard, swallowed my pride, and tried to be the man you deserved. And now, you’re letting your family throw me away like I’m nothing?

Ethan turned away and walked toward the gate. Before he left, his phone rang. He answered, “hello.”

A familiar voice spoke on the other end.

“It’s time to come home, Young Master,” the butler said. “Your punishment is over and your bank account has been activated. Your father is waiting for your return.”

Ethan’s lips curled into a cold smile as he ended the call. At long last, his punishment had come to an end. Without turning back, he walked out of the gate.