Chapter One

The interior decorations and ornamental lights glistened throughout the Rogers family mansion. Heavy hitters swarmed the house for a chance at fame and to show off their exquisite gifts.

Today was the birthday of the Rogers clan's lone patriarch, Ronan Rogers, and the building was packed with well-dressed relatives, employees, and wealthy elites from around the world.

The lavish decorations had been arranged in various ways. Every table had candles, and there was even an elaborate floral arrangement in front of a grand piano. A band played quietly, and a giant banner hung proudly across one side of the large hall, displaying Ronan's name in flowing lettering that was so wonderfully designed that no one could easily decipher it.

The agile older man had invited everyone to join him in celebrating, and as the head of a multibillion-dollar firm — Rogers Inc — his invitation was greatly appreciated.

As he sat, dressed elegantly, everyone gathered around. It was time for them to bring their gifts. A smile crept up Ronan Rogers's lips as he looked around the room, taking in the grandeur of the well-organized event.

"Dearest in-law, my lovely fiancée, Elizabeth, informed me of your interest and passion for jewelry pieces. So, I went out of my way to get you the 20 million dollar Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette luxury watch." Taylor exclaimed with pride, and Ronan Rogers smiled contentedly, collecting the treasured gift box and caressing it slightly.

“Thank you, honorable grandson-in-law.”

"Sir Rogers, I was thrilled to learn that you enjoy Spanish art, so I purchased a limited-edition masterpiece of the La maja desnuda. It's worth a million dollars and is completely yours." Mason, another elitist, declared, studying the guests' impressed expressions.

Ronan Rogers trembled with delight. His wrinkled eyes flew back and forth between the towering gift items in front of him.

"I’m celebrating my birthday with the most wonderful people worldwide. My relatives and friends...I am surrounded by wonderful individuals eager to spend millions of dollars on this superb event. You all did these just for me." He started with a bright smile on his face. "I'm so honored, and—"

Before he could continue his speech, one of the banquet waitpersons surged forward, shouting angrily. The music unexpectedly came to a halt. Everyone looked around to see what was wrong. The audience fell silent, and everyone turned to see the intruder.

Ronan Rogers scowled. He knew the fellow. It was his horrible grandson-in-law, Ethan White.

The man hurried over, his red cheeks and sweating palms making him look horrible in his patched clothing.

Despite the cool temperature of the room, Ethan spoke shakily, his dark brown hair sticking up and beads of sweat pouring down his brow. "Sir Rogers, I just received word that my mother was in a terrible accident and requires a hundred thousand dollars for emergency surgery. Would you mind lending me the money?"

Ronan Rogers froze, his face distorted in anger. The entire Rogers family stared at Ethan like he'd grown a second head. Even the guests looked at him with suspicion.

A brief silence fell over the room. Ethan didn’t come with a present like the others, yet he dared to ask for money on such an occasion. He was meant to be laboring for the love of God, and Rogers had forbidden him from having any fun that evening.

Two years ago, Ethan had been welcomed into the Rogers home as Cassie Rogers's future spouse. The entire family had been surprised because he was not affluent. Still, Cassie's grandmother, the adored Catherine Rogers, had urged on their marriage—she'd taken a peculiar affinity to the young guy, which was strange. Ronan Rogers, on the other hand, loved his wife and had agreed despite not wanting to.

Well, Catherine Rogers died of a fatal aneurysm a few months after their wedding. Ethan's humiliation and misery began then.

The Rogers family tried to frame and kick him out, but Ethan stayed firm and humble while living in the family home. He didn't even object to the menial job they had assigned him, and he worked as their servant.

And now he needed to save his adopted mother. He was in a dire predicament and could not raise the funds unless he received financial assistance from someone.

He had contacted all his friends who he believed could lend him the money, but no one responded. And now his only alternative was to petition Sir Rogers, his in-law, for the money.

Ronan Rogers, on the other hand, was enraged that he had interrupted the ceremony to ask for money.

"What audacity? How dare you come here to beg like you always do? You good for nothing, man.” He yelled, his lips trembling with fury.

Ethan opened his lips to speak, but his wife interrupted. “Ethan sincerely regrets that Grandpa. We both sincerely apologize." She rushed over to Ethan and drew him aside.

Larry, Cassie's younger brother, was the next to speak up. "How can you be so pathetic?” You haven't brought anything with you as a gift for Grandpa Rogers. You look horrible, and yet you believe now is the time to ask for money?"

Taylor scowled. "I have no idea why you married this man, Cassie. He doesn't have anything to offer you. He is impoverished. His family is disreputable, and he is unemployed. He works as a servant here, for God's sake. What made you marry him?"

Larry spoke again, this time in support of Taylor, who had thoroughly mocked Ethan and Cassie. "I concur with Taylor. Take a look at Mason. Take a look at Darren. There are a lot of wealthy and well-mannered men here today. They are the men you should have married rather than this loser. In this family, he is a stain, a horrible ick."

Everyone nodded in accord while staring at Ethan with disgust.

But he kept his cool, restraining the rage growing inside him. If he was going to save his mother, he needed to take their comments in stride and seem unaffected. They were organizing a grandiose celebration and buying gifts costing millions of dollars, but they took offense by lending him $100,000. They couldn't feel sorry for him, no matter how hard he worked for them.

Ethan maintained a neutral expression. An angry spirit lurked behind his mask, but he refused to let it show. "Grandpa, Sir Rogers, this money will save my mother's life. Please lend me the money, and I will work exceedingly hard, as I usually do, to repay it.”

Someone let forth an uncouth snort. It was Elizabeth. "Everyone knows you're impoverished and unemployed. Where will you work if not here, and who will pay you? You're telling lies to obtain the money, but no one cares. Nobody is going to give you a cent."

Elizabeth had always found ways to remind her sister, Cassie, that she had married a poor man. She fueled her ego by repeatedly demeaning Ethan and comparing him to her obnoxious, wealthy fiancé.

Ignoring them, Cassie approached her grandfather and begged him to intervene on Ethan's behalf. "Grandfather, Mrs. Lola is my husband's adoptive mother, who raised him after his parents died. She gave a lot to make him who he is now, and it would be inhumane to ignore her at this time. Please think about it and lend him the money. I plead on his behalf.”

Ronan Rogers shook his head, laughing internally. He saw the crisis as an opportunity to carry out a strategy he had contemplated for months. If Cassie agreed to this, he would lend Ethan the money.

"I will lend him the money on one condition." He began, then paused as he noticed the curious look in Cassie's eyes. He smirked. “You will divorce Ethan and marry Mason."

"Wait, what?"

"Yes. If you agree to marry Mason Stitch, the sole heir of Stitch Industries, and divorce this man you call husband, I’ll give him all the money he needs.”