The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO

Chapter 6: Humiliation at the Family Gathering

Ethan found himself at yet another family gathering at Jasmine’s parents' home, a spacious mansion filled with polished wood, crystal chandeliers, and tasteful art meant to showcase the family’s wealth and influence. For years, these gatherings had been a steady source of torment—a stage for Jasmine’s family to belittle and mock him. Tonight would be no different.

As he entered the lavish dining room, he could feel the eyes of Jasmine’s relatives land on him with that familiar mixture of disdain and amusement. Jasmine’s mother, Marjorie Lillian, eyed him with thinly veiled contempt, while her father, Edward, barely acknowledged his presence, as though Ethan were an unfortunate byproduct of his daughter’s marriage.

The evening progressed as usual, with Ethan quietly enduring the pointed remarks and haughty stares. He kept his responses short, sitting in silence as he was frequently excluded from conversations. Every now and then, Jasmine would cast him a look of annoyance, as if his very presence were an embarrassment.

Just as dinner was winding down, Jasmine’s younger brother, Caleb, decided to turn his attention to Ethan. Smirking, he leaned back in his chair, raising his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. “You know, Jasmine, I’ve always wondered why you settled for someone so... ordinary,” he said, chuckling. “I mean, here you are, successful, gorgeous, and you’re married to a man who can barely afford to buy a decent suit.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent. He had learned long ago that nothing he said would make any difference. However, Caleb wasn’t finished.

“Honestly, Ethan, it’s surprising you don’t feel more embarrassed about it,” Caleb continued, crossing his arms with a smirk. “You’re a bit of a leech, aren’t you? Living off my sister’s hard work, barely contributing. What do you even do all day, anyway?”

Jasmine’s relatives snickered, while her mother rolled her eyes and shook her head in disapproval. Ethan felt the sting of humiliation, but he forced himself to maintain his composure. These people had no idea of the empire he controlled behind the scenes or the fortune he kept hidden from all of them, including Jasmine. He had sacrificed so much to remain anonymous, to protect Jasmine’s business and her dreams, but they only saw him as a “useless husband.”

Jasmine’s father chimed in next, his tone dripping with disdain. “Caleb has a point,” he said. “It’s not as if you’ve shown any ambition or success. Jasmine could have married any number of men who would have been a better fit for our family. It’s almost insulting, really.”

Ethan clenched his fist beneath the table, his patience wearing dangerously thin. He could feel his anger boiling, memories of his true life flashing through his mind—the powerful connections, the international empire he controlled, the influence he wielded in secret. He had stayed quiet out of love, out of respect for Jasmine and her dreams, but tonight, his restraint was slipping.

Jasmine looked over at him with a haughty expression, clearly enjoying the spectacle. She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she gave him a dismissive look. “Maybe they’re right, Ethan,” she said, her voice cold. “You’ve done nothing but weigh me down. You’re lucky to even be part of this family.”

The room erupted in laughter, each of them feeding off one another’s mockery, their scorn palpable. Ryan lifted his glass, raising it as if in a toast. “To Jasmine,” he declared with a smirk, “for being patient enough to put up with a husband like Ethan. You’re a saint, sis.”

The laughter grew louder, echoing through the dining room as Ethan sat there, forced to endure the onslaught of insults. But as he looked around the room, he felt something shift within him—a steely resolve that had lain dormant for far too long. He no longer felt the sting of their words. Instead, he felt an overwhelming urge to reclaim his pride, his dignity, and his true identity.

Ethan stood slowly, the laughter dying down as the family watched him in surprise. They had never seen him stand up for himself, never heard him speak more than a few words at these gatherings. But tonight, something in his expression silenced them.

“Thank you,” he said calmly, his voice carrying a strength that none of them had heard before. “For making me realize how little I owe to people who only know how to tear others down.”

He looked directly at Jasmine, his gaze piercing. “I may have hidden my life from you, but that doesn’t make me the fool you think I am. And it doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me.”

The room fell silent, the stunned expressions of Jasmine’s family giving him a rare moment of satisfaction. He could see the shock on Jasmine’s face, the first hint of doubt in her otherwise arrogant expression. She was seeing a side of him she had never seen before, a glimpse of the power and confidence he had once wielded without restraint.

Without another word, Ethan turned and walked out of the house, leaving them all in stunned silence. As he stepped outside, he felt a strange sense of liberation wash over him. For years, he had lived in the shadows, enduring their scorn and sacrificing his pride. But tonight, he had taken the first step in reclaiming his true self.