THE SOVEREIGN RISE OF THE ABANDONED HUSBAND

The Rented Suit

Inside the plush back seat of the Maybach, the sound of the ballroom’s distant music was completely blocked out by the armored windows. Sarah looked down at her golden tablet, her eyes tracking the chaotic corporate signals coming from the Pierce building.

"Supreme Chairman," Sarah said, turning toward Ethan. "The Pierce family has all their security guards stationed at the primary doors. They are waiting for you to walk into their trap. Shall I have our elite security detail clear the entrance before you step out?"

Ethan looked out the tinted window. His face was entirely calm. He adjusted the cuffs of his dark charcoal three-piece suit.

"No," Ethan replied quietly. "Stay in the car with the executive board. Let the Pierces think their trap worked. I want everyone in that room to see exactly how far they are willing to go before you join me."

"Understood, sir," Sarah said, bowing her head with immense respect.

Ethan opened the door himself and stepped out onto the red carpet. He walked alone into the room.

The moment Ethan crossed the threshold into the grand ballroom, the lively chatter in the room instantly died down. The wealthy investors and corporate directors turned around, expecting to see a delegation from Vanguard Apex Group.

Instead, they saw Ethan.

Chloe, who was standing near the presentation stage, squinted. Then her jaw dropped in absolute shock.

"Ethan?!" Chloe gasped.

Victoria stepped back, her face turning pale with immediate anger. "What is the meaning of this? Why is that delivery boy here?!"

Richard, who was sitting nearby, leaped to his feet. His eyes went completely bloodshot with rage. He looked at Ethan's flawless suit and felt a wave of jealousy. Richard's own Maserati was stalled on the bridge, his nose was bruised, and he looked like a fool. He couldn't let his family know he was terrified by a luxury car. He needed to make Ethan look like a violent monster.

With a wicked thought, Richard suddenly threw himself hard against the edge of a nearby dining table.

Crash!

He intentionally knocked over plates and glasses, tumbling onto the floor. He rubbed his face kn the floor, making his nose bleed even more, and ripped his own designer shirt completely down the front. He groaned loudly, pretending to be in extreme agony.

"Richard!" Victoria screamed, running toward her son in a panic. "My baby! What is happening?!"

Richard pointed a shaking, bloody finger directly at "Grandma! Mom! It’s him! Ethan didn't come alone! He brought heavy thugs with him on the bridge! They blocked my car, dragged me out, and beat me up! Look at what he did to me! He only wore that expensive suit to sneak in here and hide his crimes!"

The wealthy guests looked at Ethan, then back at the bleeding Richard, completely horrified.

Old Mrs. Pierce walked to the edge of the stage. She looked down at Ethan with pure, unadulterated disgust. To her, a person's status was permanent. A delivery boy could never become anything more, no matter what he wore. "Do you honestly think putting on an expensive suit makes you a member of high society?" the old matriarch hissed. "You look absolutely ridiculous. Where did you even get the money for those clothes? You must have used your delivery tips to rent a luxury outfit just to mock us!"

Ethan stopped at the center of the ballroom floor. He stood directly under the crystal chandelier, facing the entire Pierce family on the stage. He did not look afraid at all.

"I didn't steal anything, Grandmother," Ethan said calmly. "And I didn't rent it either. I told Richard on the phone that I was coming here to handle the divorce. I am a man of my word."

"Don't call me Grandmother, you pathetic parasite!" Old Mrs. Pierce shouted "You have no right to speak to me! You cheated on my granddaughter, you brought street girls into our apartment, and now you hired thugs to attack my grandson on the public road! You are a violent criminal!"

Chloe stepped forward to the edge of the stage, looking down at Ethan with total contempt. "Stop trying to act tough. It’s pathetic. You’re just making things worse for yourself. Just kneel down, sign the confession papers, and accept your punishment. If you cooperate, Grandma might actually let you keep that rented suit instead of throwing you in jail."

Old Mrs. Pierce raised her hand, silencing her family. She looked down at Ethan like a judge delivering a final sentence.

"Enough talk," the matriarch commanded coldly. "Today is our most important corporate day, and I will not let a worthless live-in son-in-law ruin our business image. Before we welcome the Vanguard representatives, we will enforce our internal company rules."

She turned her eyes toward the back of the room, where the massive security chief was waiting.

"Marcus! Bring the enforcement team forward! Surround him right now!"