THE DRAGON SON IN LAW RETURNS

Chapter 4- first ripple

One week after the divorce, the Harrison family was still flying high.

Marcus Wellington had been true to his word. Money was flowing into Harrison Industries. Contracts that had seemed impossible were suddenly materializing. Suppliers who'd been difficult were now eager to please.

In the master bedroom of the Harrison mansion, Sophia admired the diamond necklace Marcus had given her the night before.

Twenty carats, worth more than a small house. It sparkled in the morning light, beautiful and cold.

Just like her heart had become.

She'd barely thought about Ethan since he left. Oh, there'd been a moment—just one—when she'd looked at his empty seat at the dinner table and felt something twist in her chest.

But she'd buried it quickly. Regret was for the weak.

Then her phone rang. Marcus.

"Morning, beautiful," his smooth voice purred through the speaker. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby. This necklace is gorgeous."

"It's nothing compared to what's coming. Listen, I need you to do something for me. Your father has a board meeting today about expanding the manufacturing division. I need him to approve the loan from Wellington Corporation. Can you convince him?"

"Of course. How much are we talking?"

"Seventy-five million."

Sophia's breath caught. That was enormous. "Marcus, that's... I mean, are you sure? That's a lot of money."

"Baby, Wellington Corporation has billions. This is pocket change. Besides, I'm investing in our future. Yours and mine."

Our future. The words made her smile. "I'll talk to him."

"That's my girl. Oh, and Sophia? Make sure he signs the documents today. The deal expires at midnight."

"That's fast."

"The business world moves fast, sweetheart. You'll learn."

After hanging up, Sophia felt a thrill run through her. This was real power. Real wealth. Everything she'd always wanted.

Ethan could never have given her this.

Across the city, in a penthouse apartment that overlooked the entire skyline, Ethan Cole sat in a leather chair, reviewing documents on a tablet. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and pants—comfortable and expensive.

Around him, the Five Dragon Guards stood at attention. These weren't just bodyguards. They were legends in their own right. Each one had commanded armies, toppled governments, and made billionaires kneel.

"Shadow Three, report," Ethan said without looking up.

A tall, scarred man stepped forward. This was Jet Liu, formerly known as the Ghost General of the Eastern Front. Under Ethan's command, he'd defended the nation's borders against three simultaneous invasions.

He'd killed more than a hundred enemy combatants with his bare hands.

Now he was reporting on the Harrisons like they were enemy targets. Which, in a sense, they were.

"Commander, Harrison Industries' board is meeting today to approve a loan from Wellington Corporation. Seventy-five million dollars at a fifteen percent interest rate. Richard Harrison believes it's a standard business loan. He doesn't realize Wellington has backdoor agreements with six of Harrison Industries' major clients. The moment Harrison signs the loan documents, Wellington will activate those agreements, causing those clients to pull their contracts. Harrison Industries will default on the loan within thirty days."

"And then?" Ethan asked calmly.

"Wellington Corporation will seize Harrison Industries' assets as collateral. In legal terms, it's a hostile takeover disguised as a business partnership. The Harrisons will lose everything."

"How long before they realize what's happening?"

"Two weeks. Maybe less. Wellington is moving aggressively."

Ethan set down his tablet and steepled his fingers. "Interesting. And Marcus Wellington himself?"

Shadow Five spoke up—a woman named Lin Yue, the Dragon Phoenix, master strategist and former intelligence director. Her beauty was matched only by her ruthlessness.

"Our investigation reveals Wellington's true motives. Sophia Harrison is just a tool. He's been planning this takeover for six months. He researched the Harrison family, identified Sophia as the weak link—vain, materialistic, easily manipulated—and crafted his entire approach around exploiting her. The romantic pursuit is completely fabricated."

"He's using her," Ethan said flatly.

"Completely. Once Harrison Industries falls, he'll discard her like trash. There are already rumors he has a fiancée in New York—a senator's daughter. The engagement will be announced next month."

Ethan felt something cold settle in his chest. Not jealousy—that emotion had died weeks ago. But anger on behalf of the foolish woman who'd thrown away everything for a lie.

She deserved it, of course. But it still irritated him.

"Let it continue," he said finally. "But I want eyes on every move. When Harrison Industries begins to collapse, I want to know immediately."

"Commander," Jet Liu said carefully. "Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

"Why wait? We could end Wellington with one phone call. The authorities have been looking for evidence of his illegal dealings for years. We have everything they need. Or..." Chen's eyes glinted. "I could handle it more directly. He could simply... disappear."

"No." Ethan's voice was firm. "This isn't about Wellington. He's just a symptom. This is about the Harrisons learning the consequences of their choices. They worshipped money and status over character and loyalty. Let them see where that worship leads."

"But Commander, Sophia Harrison is—"

"Nothing to me," Ethan interrupted. "She made her choice. Now she lives with it."

Lin Yue stepped forward. "Commander, there's one more thing. The Presidential Gala is in three days. You're expected to attend. The President wants to publicly acknowledge your contributions to the nation. Your identity as the Supreme Dragon Commander will be revealed to the public."

Ethan considered this. Three years of living in shadows, playing the role of worthless son-in-law. Part of him wanted to continue hiding, to maintain the element of surprise.

But another part—the part that had been humiliated, mocked, and treated like garbage—wanted the revelation to be spectacular.

"I'll attend," he said. "And inform the President I'll accept the Star of Valor. Make sure the ceremony is public. Very public."

"Sir, if I may," Lin Yue said with a slight smile. "The Harrison family is on the guest list. Richard Harrison has been trying to secure an invitation for years. He finally got one through a business connection. He's bringing his entire family."

Ethan's eyes lit up with cold satisfaction.

"Perfect. Then they'll have front-row seats to their education."

A phone rang—not Ethan's encrypted device, but a regular cell phone he kept for mundane matters. He picked it up and frowned at the unknown number.

"Yes?"

"Is this Ethan Cole?" A woman's voice, professional and cold.

"Speaking."

"This is Jennifer Chen from Harrison Industries' legal department. I'm calling to inform you that the company is formally demanding repayment of the three hundred thousand dollar loan you provided three years ago. Per the loan agreement, we're exercising our right to demand immediate payment. You have thirty days to comply or face legal action."

Ethan almost laughed. "I thought Richard told me to keep that money."

"Mr. Harrison has changed his mind. Thirty days, Mr. Cole. We'll be sending formal documentation to your last known address."

"Which address would that be? I've recently moved."

"The homeless shelter on Fifth Street. That's the address you listed on your divorce paperwork."

So they thought he was living in a shelter now. How fitting.

"Thank you for the notification," Ethan said politely and hung up.

Jet Liu was furious. "Commander, let me handle this. These people dare to—"

"Stand down," Ethan ordered. "It's three hundred thousand dollars. Pocket change."

"It's the principle! They're treating you like—"

"Like exactly what I pretended to be. No, let them demand payment. Let them think they're twisting the knife. It'll make the reversal that much sweeter."

Shadow Two spoke up—a massive man known only as "Mountain," famous for once stopping a military coup single-handedly. His voice rumbled like thunder: "Commander, the men are restless. We've watched you be humiliated for three years. Permission to at least frighten these insects?"

"Denied. All of you, stand down. That's an order." Ethan stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the city. "In three days, everything changes. Until then, we wait."

"Yes, Commander," they replied in unison.

But Ethan could feel their frustration. These were warriors, not politicians. They wanted action, not patience.

Soon, he promised himself. Very soon.

At Harrison Industries headquarters, Richard Harrison was in his office, celebrating. The loan documents from Wellington Corporation sat on his desk, signed and finalized.

Seventy-five million dollars. It would revolutionize their manufacturing division.