The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO

Chapter 3: Rumors of the Mysterious CEO

Jasmine stood in her boutique, holding a glossy magazine that featured the latest exposé on the city’s most mysterious figure: the CEO of Zenith Holdings. Known for his unmatched business acumen, the man behind Zenith had taken the industry by storm, amassing unimaginable wealth and power. Yet, he was a ghost—no one had seen him, no one even knew his name. And that mystery only seemed to amplify Jasmine’s admiration.

“I can only imagine what it would be like to work under someone so brilliant,” she murmured to her assistant, glancing at the article with an almost dreamy expression. “To be mentored by him…or even meet him.” She laughed softly, the faintest hint of longing in her eyes.

Ethan, who had been in the back storage room rearranging stock, overheard her words and felt an odd pang. The man she was unknowingly speaking about, the man she idolized so openly, was him. He was the mysterious CEO of Zenith Holdings, her silent supporter in every venture. He couldn’t reveal his identity, and he didn’t expect her to look at him any differently. But her admiration for “the CEO” was a bitter reminder of the facade he’d chosen to maintain.

Jasmine sighed, closing the magazine and setting it on the counter. “If only I had a man like that in my life. Someone with real ambition, power, vision,” she mused aloud.

Her assistant raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ethan as he walked past. “Well, you’ve got Ethan. He’s devoted to you, isn’t he?”

Jasmine let out a quick, dismissive laugh. “Ethan? Please. He’s sweet, but he lacks any real drive. No ambition, no dreams of his own. If I’m honest, I’ve been carrying him for years.” She shrugged, oblivious to the quiet tension in the room as Ethan continued his work. “No, a man like the Zenith CEO would never waste his time the way Ethan does.”

Ethan’s face remained impassive as he finished sorting the stock, but inside, the sting of her words resonated deeply. He wasn’t angry—he understood that Jasmine was only speaking from her limited perception of him. Still, it was painful to hear her admiration for the public persona he had carefully constructed, while her real-life husband was seen as little more than a burden.

That evening, as Jasmine continued reading more articles about the “CEO” she admired, Ethan retreated to his private study. Away from prying eyes, he let his facade slip, allowing the true power and authority he wielded to surface. He made calls, coordinated new deals, and discussed strategies with high-ranking partners. It was an empire that operated under his control, but one he couldn’t share with the woman he’d built it for.

The next day, Jasmine returned home from the boutique, excited to tell him about a new business opportunity. “I’ve been invited to a gala hosted by Zenith Holdings,” she said, barely able to contain her excitement. “Can you believe it? I might actually meet the CEO! I’ll finally get a chance to show him my ideas. If I could just talk to him, maybe he’d see potential in my business and become a mentor.”

Ethan’s face remained unreadable. “That sounds exciting,” he said, his voice neutral. “When is the gala?”

“Tomorrow night,” she replied, her eyes gleaming. “And I’m going to make sure I stand out. This could be my one chance to impress him.”

As the night of the gala approached, Ethan made quiet arrangements with his team. He would attend as the CEO, masked by the security detail and carefully staged lighting that had always obscured his identity. Jasmine would be given the opportunity to meet him, to see a side of him she admired—even if she didn’t know it was her husband all along.

The night of the gala arrived, and Jasmine was radiant in a gown that sparkled under the chandelier lights. Ethan watched her from a distance, his heart heavy with emotions he couldn’t share. She mingled with the crowd, her confidence growing as she recounted her achievements to other guests. Eventually, she was led toward the CEO’s private area—a section of the venue reserved for his most trusted associates and invitees.

Jasmine’s pulse quickened as she approached the roped-off area. She’d rehearsed her pitch a dozen times, and now, she was finally going to meet the man who could change her life. The shadowed figure before her extended his hand in a brief but polite greeting.

“Ms. Lin,” came the low, controlled voice Ethan used as the CEO. “It’s a pleasure.”

Jasmine’s heart raced as she smiled up at him, the dim lighting concealing his features. His stature, his aura—it was everything she had imagined. And though she couldn’t see his face, she could feel the charisma, the power radiating from him.

She gathered her courage and began her pitch, speaking passionately about her vision for expanding her boutique chain, the unique services she could offer, and her hopes for the future. She was nervous but determined, and Ethan could see the spark in her eyes. Despite everything, he felt an odd pride seeing her ambition firsthand, even as her true identity remained hidden from her.

“I can see you’re passionate about your work, Ms. Lin,” he said after a pause, his voice carefully measured. “But tell me, what motivates you to work so hard?”

Her expression softened, a hint of vulnerability crossing her face. “I want to be someone—a person people respect and admire. I want a life of value and purpose, not just a simple existence.” She glanced down, her voice growing quieter. “I guess…I’ve been disappointed by the people around me. I’ve always wanted a partner who shared that same drive.”

Ethan’s heart clenched at her words, knowing that she saw him as a disappointment, the opposite of the man she admired now. But he couldn’t break the illusion. He had to let her live in this fantasy, believing in the myth of the powerful CEO, while he remained the “ordinary” Ethan in her eyes.

With a bittersweet smile, he replied, “Sometimes, people are more than they seem. The true value of a person isn’t always obvious at first glance.”

Jasmine looked thoughtful, her gaze lingering on him. There was something in his tone, something that felt strangely familiar. But she quickly shook off the feeling, too wrapped up in her excitement to dwell on it.

The conversation ended, and Ethan watched as she walked away, her head held high, unaware of the bittersweet truth she left behind. As he returned to his hidden role, he wondered if she’d ever see him for who he truly was—if the man she admired and the husband she despised could one day be the same in her eyes.