Rise Of the Poor Son-in-law

Chapter 3: Misunderstanding

Chapter 3: Misunderstanding

"Nothing," Elon Mu said, raising his wine glass. "I just haven’t seen you in a year. You’ve become even more beautiful. You’re aging in reverse, I almost didn’t recognize you."

Jennifer Zhao smiled politely at the compliment and sat down. "I'm sorry about earlier today. Your supermarket delivery—"

"Let’s order first," Elon interrupted smoothly, flashing his most charming smile. "We can talk while we eat."

He waved over the waiter and began ordering dishes and wine with exaggerated flair. He’d made up his mind already, tonight, he’d push everything forward to make sure Jennifer falls on his lap. He glanced at Jennifer frequently as the waiter left.

"I really am sorry about what happened in the store," Jennifer said sincerely. "Let me cover this meal as an apology."

Elon chuckled, shaking his head. "No need. I'm not worried about the goods. Why dwell on a little accident? We haven’t seen each other in so long. Let’s enjoy the evening. Come, have a drink."

He raised his glass toward her again. Jennifer hesitated but picked hers up too. After all, he was smiling, and it felt wrong to reject kindness so openly.

Three rounds of wine later, Elon loosened up and his mouth did too.

"I heard… you and Alfred are getting divorced?" he asked with feigned concern, leaning over the table.

"Did my mother tell you that?" Jennifer frowned slightly.

"Don’t blame her. She’s just worried about you." Elon said, leaned in further. “But let’s be real. Alfred is just... wasting your time. He keeps talking about that project of his like it's some gold mine, since high school, but no one’s even looking at it.”

Jennifer said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin line as she knew it was true.

Elon kept going. "Now that the Benson Group has come to our city, do you really think they’d invest in him? No. I’m the only one around here with enough capability and vision. Him? He’s not even useful to his own wife."

Jennifer Zhao’s eyes dimmed as she stopped drinking, her patience starting to wear thin.

“Anyway, I’ll take care of things. You deserve better.” Elon, oblivious, chuckled to himself.

Suddenly, Elon reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

Startled, Jennifer stiffened and tried to pull away.

"Jennifer, you know how I feel about you." His voice lowered. "Look—" he reached into his coat and took out a small velvet box. "I picked this ring just for you. It's a proposal, not a joke. Once you divorce Alfred, I want to marry you."

Jennifer's eyes widened in disbelief. She snatched her hand back and leaned away from him, a look of complete discomfort crossing her face.

"Elon, I’m not divorcing Alfred anytime soon," she said coldly. "You’re drunk and talking nonsense. Maybe we should do this dinner another time."

She began gathering her bag and jacket.

"Hey, hey, don’t be mad." Elon raised his hands in haste, his tone laced with a fake apology. "I drank a bit too fast, that’s all. Come on, don’t take it seriously. Let’s just keep drinking. I won’t bring up the repair f*e again or anything."

He poured another glass for her, nudging it forward with a sheepish grin.

Reluctantly, Jennifer sat back down. She wasn’t in the mood for a scene.

"Jennifer, it’s true though." Elon sipped again. "The biggest mistake you made was marrying Alfred. The guy’s a joke."

"That’s enough," Jennifer said, her voice cold. "Alfred is my husband. Don’t speak about him that way or I will leave."

Elon looked away and chuckled like she was being naive.

Sure, Alfred hadn't earned much in the past year. Everyone thought he was just dead weight. But Jennifer knew the truth, he had never once cheated, flirted, or disrespected her for once. Whatever his failures, he had never crossed the line.

"You think I’m being cruel?" Elon asked, leaning on his elbow. "I’m doing this for you. You think I’d waste my time if I didn’t care? Honestly, you married a glorified toyboy. That’s all Alfred is now, a man living off a woman."

Jennifer clenched her teeth, but before she could respond, Elon leaned in again, lowering his voice.

"And I know you haven’t even let him touch you this past year after getting married. So tell me, how long do you think a man can keep up that act when having a raging hormone at its peak?"

Jennifer’s brows shot up, stunned at his nerve as her heart skipped.

"Look, I’m not trying to stir things up,” Elon said, flashing a sly smile. “But... Alfred’s in a private room here tonight. And let’s just say, he’s not alone. I didn’t tell you anything, alright? Just... don’t quote me."

Jennifer Zhao shot up from her seat, her face pale and eyes flashing with disbelief.

“Mr. Elon, I'm done with dinner. I have some things to do at home." Jennifer said as she started packing her things. Elon Mu stood up and pulled out his phone as Jennifer Zhao was about to leave.

"Wait, Jennifer. I wasn’t going to show you this, but… see for yourself."

He brought up the photo on his phone and held it out.

Jennifer looked down and saw a clear picture of Alfred Lucas and a beautiful woman standing close together. The woman was smiling at Alfred. His eyes were also on her. They were walking into the hallway together.

“What’s this?” Jennifer frowned.

"That’s your husband and some woman. I saw them enter one of the private rooms together. Room 608. I was standing right there. You can even ask the staff.”

Jennifer’s eyes stayed on the image. The woman in the picture looked classy and elegant. Alfred looked calm and well-dressed.

But something felt off.

“Nowadays, AI pictures can look exactly like real ones,” she said. “How do I know you didn’t generate this?”

Elon Mu raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh. “Jennifer, seriously? You think I’d sit here and create fake pictures instead of just showing you what I saw?”

She didn’t reply as her eyes shook.

After a moment, she turned away.

“I’ll go check myself,” she said.

She headed toward the hallway. Elon didn’t follow. He just leaned back in his seat and smirked, feeling his plan was going well. After what she sees in there, she will need a shoulder to cry on and that will be his chance.

Jennifer walked slowly at first, then faster as she reached the sixth floor. When she saw Room 608, she stopped in front of the door.

“Alfred can’t be inside with another woman,” she told herself. “He’s not that type.”

She raised her hand to knock but paused, hesitating.

Then she knocked firmly.

****

Inside the private room, Alfred Lucas and Manager Destiny had just signed the contract. The discussion was over. Destiny stood up, holding a pen in one hand and reaching out with the other.

“Congratulations, Mr. Lin. I think this will be a good partnership,” she said.

Alfred stood up and reached out for a handshake.

But as she stepped forward, her high heel twisted slightly on the polished floor.

“Ah—”

She stumbled forward.

Alfred reacted quickly. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her by the waist to stop her from falling.

At the same time, Destiny grabbed his shoulder to steady herself.

Their faces were close.

They were both frozen in place, stunned. Alfred's hand was still around her waist. Her hand was on his shoulder. Their eyes locked for a brief second.

Just then—

The door opened.

Jennifer Zhao stood at the doorway.

She saw Alfred holding the woman by the waist. The woman’s hand on his shoulder. Their bodies close. Their eyes fixed on each other.

She didn’t move.

Her face turned pale.

Alfred looked up, stunned.

“Jennifer?”

He let go of Destiny and stepped back, but it was already too late.

Jennifer stepped inside, her face unreadable.

Without saying a word, she raised her hand and slapped Alfred hard across the face.

Slap!

The sound echoed in the room.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She never expected that what Elon said might actually be true.