Rise Of The Invincible Son-in-law

005

Afterwards, they signed all the required documents and went through all the required protocols.

All his doubts washed away like rain. The reality crashing down on him like a heavy weight. It was still impossible to believe.

"That will be all for now," Eva said, adjusting the papers in her hand.

 "An investors’ meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow. It will give you the chance to meet the board, familiarize yourself with the investors, and address them properly for the first time. Afterwards, I will make the public announcement that the Tenet Group has a new owner."

Ethan raised a hand. "There’s no need to make my name public, Miss Eva. And call me Ethan. I prefer that to the stiff ‘Young Master.’"

Eva’s lips parted, but she quickly composed herself. "Okay, Young ma..." She caught herself, then inclined her head. "Okay… Master Ethan. I’ll follow your instructions. Your name will remain off the announcement."

He nodded, relieved.

He was still learning the ropes, she said Mr. Lawrence had a lot of enemies, he didn't know how many they were and if there was anything he learned from his failed business, it was that it was dangerous for you enemies to know you without knowing the enemy.

Eva continued, her tone softer. "One more thing young.. Young Master Ethan, it's about your sister."

Ethan's interest immediately piqued. He had not forgotten about her and was planning to see her immediately after leaving Eva and pay for her surgery now that she had the money.

"Her medical bills have already been taken care of. The doctors began her surgery this morning. You may not be able to see her until recovery, but she is in good hands."

Ethan’s chest loosened. He hadn’t realized how tightly he’d been holding his breath. "Thank you.." His voice cracked slightly, but it echoed with sincerity.

******

That evening, the Kilson villa buzzed like a disturbed hornet’s nest as usual. An emergency family meeting had been called. 

Ethan, rag in hand, moved quietly around the room, cleaning tables like a shadow. He was invisible, yet every insult in the air seemed directed at him.

"Do you need help with your little sister?" Drake, Kates’s arrogant husband, pulled a crumpled dollar bill from his wallet and shoved it in Ethan’s face. "Here, peasant. This should save her, right?"

The room erupted in cruel laughter.

Ethan’s hand froze mid-wipe. Slowly, he raised his head and looked Drake straight in the eye. His lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Maybe you should use that to save your crumbling company.

The room fell into stunned silence. Emma blinked, unsure if she had heard her husband correctly. For over two years, Ethan had endured humiliation without a word. Now, suddenly, he fought back?

Drake’s face darkened. Everyone knew his company was struggling. Ethan’s jab landed like a punch to the gut. His fist clenched, body leaning forward, but Drake’s hand gripped his sleeve tightly.

Emma stepped in quickly. "You started this first, Drake. And you know the rules, fighting inside the villa unless you want the guards to drag you out."

Drake’s jaw ticked, but he backed down. His eyes, however, burned with desire as they lingered on Emma. Even though he was married to her cousin, he had always desired Emma, her beauty, her grace. It infuriated him that she chose this "nobody" instead.

"You’re lucky this time," he spat. "Hiding behind your wife’s skirt again. I’ll make sure you pay for this."

Ethan ignored him, but Natasha pounced, her voice dripping with poison. "Why didn’t you use that bold mouth to beg for money earlier? Or maybe you already tried. Poor Emma attempted to sell her wedding ring just to cover your sister’s bills. How romantic."

"But guess what, it was below market value!"

Laughter cracked the hall once more. Emma’s cheeks flushed with humiliation.

"Is that true, Emma?" Madam Kate asked slyly, enjoying the tension.

Emma lowered her head, her silence answering for her. Ethan’s hand tightened on the rag. He finally spoke, calm but firm. "I’ve already paid for the surgery. There’s no need for Emma to sell anything."

The hall exploded in laughter again, sharper this time and filled with mockery.

"Liar!" Jeff, Natasha's husband , barked. "Did you sell your rags on the street?"

"Maybe he collected bottles for recycling!" another chimed in.

Ethan said nothing more, but the tiny smirk tugging at his lips only increased their contempt.

Then the air shifted. Silence immediately fell on the hall as Madam Theresa made an entrance into the place.

She sat at the head of the table, her sharp eyes scanning the family.

 "Tomorrow is our last opportunity," she announced. Her voice carried weight that made hearts pound.

 "The Tenent Group’s new leadership will be revealed at the investors’ party the day after tomorrow. Whoever secures their favor will determine the Kilson family’s future. This is not a chance we can afford to miss."

Excitement stirred like wildfire through the hall. Everyone wanted to show their prowess since the leader of the family business group would soon retire and someone would have to take over.

"We must send our best representatives. Those who can charm the new owner, build ties, and secure our place in his projects."

Natasha leapt to her feet before anyone else could speak. "Grandmother, I’ll go with my husband. Before the transition, Drake already had connections with the Tenent directors. Getting access to the new owner will be easy if you allow us. Isn’t that right, darling?"

Drake puffed out his chest. "Of course. We were in talks about future ventures before the change. The new owner will find me familiar."

The family applauded, murmuring approval.

Madam Theresa nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. If there are no objections..."

"But isn’t it more fitting for Emma, the first daughter of the family, to lead such a meeting?"

The voice silenced the room again. All eyes turned.

Ethan had spoken.

A storm of disgust swept the hall.

"When dogs sit at the table, they forget they’re dogs!" one uncle spat.

"Who gave you the right to speak?" Natasha hissed, her eyes narrowing like daggers.

Ethan ignored them, rising to his feet slowly, his gaze fixed only on Madam Theresa. His tone was steady, respectful, but bold. "Madam Theresa, no one respects family rules more than you. And the rule has always been that the first daughter represents the family in matters of inheritance and alliances. Isn’t that true?"

Theresa faltered. His words struck home. For a moment, her guard fell but she recovered quickly with a frown deepening into her face.

"This is not an ordinary project," she snapped. "It will shape our future for generations. Why entrust it to incompetence?"

Emma’s head sank lower. "Why is he doing this?" she thought bitterly. He was picking a fight he could never win.

But Ethan pressed on. His voice grew firmer. "Incompetent? Emma has handled several projects successfully, while others have failed. How can she prove herself if you never entrust her with responsibility? Isn’t denying her this chance the real incompetence?"

The hall rippled with shock. Emma looked up at him, her lips parting. She barely recognized this man. Her once beaten-down husband now spoke with conviction, challenging the owner of the powerful Kilson business group.

Theresa’s face reddened with rage. "If you are so confident in her ability, then let us test it. Emma will compete with Jeff to win the new owner’s favor. If she succeeds, she will be given full control of all future family projects... And even the position of family chairwoman. But if she fails…"

Her eyes turned to Ethan, cold and merciless. "You will sign the divorce papers and leave this family forever."

The words pressed against the room like heavy metal.

Jeff smirked smugly, rising from his chair to bow. "I accept, Madam Theresa."

The family erupted in applause, cheers ringing loud, it was almost deafening.

Emma gasped. "Grandmother! Isn’t that too extreme?" 

However, Ethan's voice cuts through their mocking applause, his firm strong and unflinching.

"Fine. The deal is on!" His voice echoed through the room with conviction, sending a wave of shock running through the halls.