The Absolute Son-in-law And The Ten Rings Of Power

The dinner meeting

An hour later, Mei was fully dressed in her finest clothes and jewelry.

She had also gone through the trouble of doing her makeup. Tonight was very crucial. If she missed this opportunity, she might never get another.

Satisfied with her make-up, she walked back to the living room where Zeke was sprawled on the couch, motionlessly.

Earlier, she had dragged him all the way from the kitchen to the living room. By morning, he'll ask a lot of questions but if all went well tonight, it wouldn't really matter.

Just then, a car horn honked outside. It was Craig's chauffeur. He had arrived to pick her up.

Mei took one last glance at Zeke and muttered under her breath. "I'm sorry, Zeke.... I'll be back soon."

Then she stepped out of the house, slipping into the backseat of Craig's Rolls-Royce phantom.

The chauffeur closed the door after her, and rode the car away from the Zhao family's estate.

* * * *

Inside the chill quiet living room, Zeke's motionless body remained still on the couch.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He filled his lungs with air and sat up in one fluid motion.

At that moment, he pulled down the collar of his shirt and checked his left shoulder. A birthmark resembling a crane glowed faintly on his shoulder.

The crane mark only awakens when his body senses danger to his body system.

Centuries ago, a young farmer rescued a divine crane bird from being hunted down by a tyrant emperor of that period who sought its power for himself.

In gratitude, the crane blessed the farmer and his bloodline with divine health.

The farmer's descendants were immune to disease, poison, and drugs. Due to the Crane's blessings, the Rockechilds possessed the ability to heal rapidly and aged slowly.

Neither poison nor drugs had any effect on them.

Zeke wore back his clothes, his heart filled with bitterness.

He overheard Mei when she made that phone call to Craig. He had also heard when Craig's Rolls-Royce phantom pulled up outside to pick her up.

"She betrayed me..." He said gravely, his hands clenched into fists. "How could she lie to my face and then drug me just to be with Craig?"

Without wasting a second, Zeke pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Zeke's head of agents, Flynn, answered on the first ring.

"Good evening, young master. What are your orders?"

"There's a black Rolls-Royce Phantom belonging to Craig. I want it followed. Do not lose it no matter what. My wife is in that car."

"Understood," Flynn replied. "I'll deploy all my men right away, sir."

"Keep me posted on her location," Zeke hung up the call and strode out of the house.

He walked into the garage, sliding behind the wheel of Mei's Lexus IS300.

Switching on the GPS tracker on his phone, Zeke roared the car to life and tore out of the estate.

"They couldn't have gone far," Zeke said to himself, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. "When I find her, I'll make her regret betraying me for a cheap rat like Craig."

* * * *

Mei arrived at Craig's private villa where she was warmly ushered in by the servants into a vast dinning hall.

A long table stretched down the center of the room which was filled with silverware and bottles of expensive wines.

Guests in tuxedos and designer dresses sat around the table, mingling over champagne, laughing and clicking glasses.

"Welcome to my home, Mei," Craig materialized from the shadows of the hall. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Mei forced a polite smile, extending her hand. "The pleasure is mine. Thank you for having me, Craig."

Craig ignored the handshake and instead, slide his arm around her waist as he steered her toward the dinning table.

"You're in for a treat Mei," Craig muttered. "After tonight, you won't go home empty handed."

Mei forced herself to allow him the liberty for the time being. For the sake of Zhao Dynasty's future, she had to endure Craig's flirtatious attitude.

"Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mei Zhao, daughter of Zhao Long," Craig announced to his associates. "Some of you may know her. She's Zhao Dynasty CIO. The brains behind it's success."

Some of the guests acknowledged Mei as she sat down. She recognized several faces.

These men and women were tycoons and industrialists whose signatures were worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

They literally trade favours for currency.

If she could convince one of them to pick up interest at investing in Zhao Dynasty, her family's company would revive back.

"Mei," Craig sat down beside her, his smile lazy. "The stock crash wrecked everyone in the republic. But there are a few businessmen who kept their money safe. They have the kind of capital that you need."

"I can see that," Mei replied, accepting a flute glass from a passing waiter. "I recognize several of them."

"I can get you the connection you need to bounce back from your loss, Mei," Craig went on smoothly. "These people have deep pockets. All you need is my introduction and Zhao Dynasty would have investors clamouring to pool money into the business."

Mei's face lit up with hope. "You'd do that, for me? I don't know what to say, Craig. You're truly amazing."

Craig's eyes narrowed and his voice dropped. "But I want something in return, Mei."

Mei blinked. "And what would that be?"

Craig's eyes lingered on her with yearning as he placed his hand over hers, leaning in closer.

"It's very simple, Mei," he muttered. "Leave your husband. Divorce him and marry me instead."

Mei froze, her eyes widening in shock. The words slammed her like a train.

For a long moment, she didn't say anything. She swallowed and fidgeted with her drink.

"Divorce, Zeke?" Mei asked in disbelief. "You're asking me to leave my husband to be with you, and in exchange, you'll help me?"

Craig smiled. "It's a good offer, Mei. Tell me, what good does Zeke do for you? He's poor and broke. I can offer you so much more."

Mei hesitated, her mind racing. She knew Craig wasn't wrong about Zeke.

Zeke was completely useless to her. He had no money, no influence, nothing that could save Zhao Dynasty.

She didn't come all this way to miss out on an opportunity like this. An opportunity to redeem herself from her failure.

All it would cost was her marriage.

This was her only lifeline to erase her failure and save Zhao Dynasty. It was the perfect choice.

Mei turned away and shut her eyes.

The air thickened between them as she thought a little more over it.

Then she opened her mouth and uttered in a steady firm voice, "Craig... I'm sorry. But I can't marry you."