The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO

Chapter 1: The Silent Son-in-Law

Ethan adjusted the collar of his worn-out shirt as he walked through the bustling market, his mind already bracing for the stinging words waiting for him at home. Today was their anniversary, yet he anticipated no warmth from Jasmine. Though once kind-hearted and lively, his wife had grown cold, resentful even, believing she’d settled for a man who offered her nothing.

As he approached their modest apartment, Ethan glanced over his shoulder to the sleek black car parked down the street. His discreet security team waited there, always watching over him, ready to act on his signal. They were his silent companions, just like him, concealing his true identity and role. To the outside world—and even to Jasmine—Ethan was merely a lowly employee, without fortune or influence.

Inside, Jasmine barely looked up as he entered. Instead, she was engrossed in a conversation on the phone, chatting with her mother about the latest expansion of her boutique—a business she believed she had built on her own.

“Mom, I just signed a deal to open another store downtown!” she said proudly, casting a quick, dismissive glance at Ethan. “Imagine, we’ll finally be able to compete with the big brands! If only I had a husband with enough ambition to help me.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly, but he kept his expression neutral, as he always did. Jasmine had no idea he was the silent investor behind the store’s success. He had pulled strings to secure the prime locations for her shops, subtly guided her to make connections, and, at times, even ensured her competitors mysteriously backed off when she needed it most. All of this he did from the shadows, wanting to see her happy—even if it meant enduring her scorn.

Jasmine’s mother, Mrs. Lin, made her disdain for him loud and clear. She didn’t bother to lower her voice as she said, “You deserve better, Jasmine. Look at him—no job worth speaking of, no achievements to his name. Honestly, I don't know why you stay with him.”

Ethan quietly set down the bouquet of lilies he’d brought for their anniversary on the counter. Jasmine ignored the flowers, brushing past him to head into the kitchen. The sight of them, though, made her sneer.

“Really, Ethan? Lilies? I thought you’d at least get roses. You can’t even get that right,” she scoffed.

His hands tensed around the table’s edge. Behind his unassuming exterior lay a man who had once been feared and respected—a man with wealth, power, and knowledge beyond imagination. But that side of him had to remain hidden, at least for now. Ethan knew his purpose, his reasons for staying in this marriage, even if Jasmine and her family failed to see his worth.

As the evening dragged on, Jasmine barely acknowledged his presence, busy with calls and plans for her new store. Meanwhile, Ethan slipped out quietly, his heart heavy yet unwavering. Standing beneath the quiet night sky, he pulled out his phone, dialing a number that connected him to his closest confidant.

“Confirm that Jasmine’s boutique’s supply chain is prepared for the expansion,” he instructed. “And double-check that her competition is kept in line. I want her new store to succeed.”

“Yes, sir,” came the immediate reply. There was no question, no hesitation—just the loyalty of someone who knew exactly who Ethan really was.

Ethan hung up, staring up at the stars. His heart wavered between frustration and determination. Though Jasmine and her family saw him as a useless man, he knew his value. And one day, they would, too. Until then, he would remain the silent son-in-law, biding his time.