The Son-in-Law's Rise to Supremacy

Chapter 2 - Humiliation at the Lawson Mansion

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains as Ethan slowly opened his eyes. For a moment, he forgot that everything had changed. Then he looked around the unfamiliar bedroom. It was large, beautifully furnished, and far more luxurious than the tiny apartment he had lived in before.

A small smile appeared on his face. "No matter how difficult it is," he whispered to himself, "I'll make this marriage work."

He got out of bed carefully. Sophia's side of the bed was already empty. She had woken up before him.

Ethan quickly washed his face, put on a simple shirt, and walked downstairs. As soon as he entered the dining room, he noticed that everyone was already seated. Mr. Lawson sat at the head of the table, reading the morning newspaper. Mrs. Lawson sipped her coffee while scrolling through her phone. Sophia quietly ate her breakfast without looking at anyone.

The room fell silent when Ethan walked in. He smiled politely. "Good morning."

Only Mr. Lawson gave a slight nod. Mrs. Lawson didn't even look up. Instead, she frowned. "You're late."

Ethan blinked. "I'm sorry. I thought breakfast was at seven."

"It is," Mrs. Lawson replied coldly. "And everyone else was here before seven."

Ethan lowered his head. "I'll do better tomorrow."

Mrs. Lawson pointed toward the kitchen. "The maid is off today. You can prepare breakfast from now on."

Ethan looked surprised. "Me?"

"Is there a problem?" she asked sharply.

"No. I can do it."

Mrs. Lawson leaned back in her chair. "Good. A man who lives under someone else's roof should at least be useful."

The words stung, but Ethan forced himself to smile. "I understand."

He walked into the kitchen and found the sink full of dirty dishes left from the wedding banquet the night before. Without complaining, he rolled up his sleeves and started washing them. As the water ran over his hands, he reminded himself why he was here. "A family isn't built in one day. Be patient."

After cleaning the kitchen, Ethan prepared fresh toast, fried eggs, and coffee. He carried everything to the dining table.

Mrs. Lawson took one bite. "It's cold."

"I'm sorry," Ethan said quickly. "I'll make another one."

She pushed the plate away. "You should have learned this before getting married."

Mr. Lawson remained silent. Sophia quietly continued eating.

Ethan took the plate back to the kitchen and made another one. This time, Mrs. Lawson nodded. "Better."

Ethan finally sat down, hoping to eat what was left. Before he could take a bite, Mr. Lawson placed a set of car keys on the table. "My car hasn't been washed since yesterday. Take care of it after breakfast."

Ethan nodded. "Alright."

Mrs. Lawson added another task. "The living room windows need cleaning. And don't forget the garden."

Ethan smiled politely. "I'll finish everything."

Mrs. Lawson looked at him with surprise. "You don't complain?"

Ethan shook his head. "This is my home now. I should help."

For a brief second, Sophia looked at him. There was a strange expression in her eyes. She didn't speak, but she couldn't understand him. Most men would have argued. Most men would have refused. Yet Ethan accepted everything without anger.

After breakfast, Ethan carried a bucket of water outside and began washing Mr. Lawson's luxury sedan. The morning sun reflected off the black paint. He carefully cleaned every corner until the car looked brand new. When he finished, he picked up a ladder and cleaned every window in the mansion.

By noon, sweat soaked through his shirt. His stomach growled. He hadn't eaten breakfast.

Just as he was about to return inside, Mrs. Lawson called from the front door. "Ethan!"

He hurried over. "Yes?"

"The electricity in the guest room isn't working. Fix it."

"I'll do it."

He grabbed a toolbox from the storage room and climbed upstairs. After checking the fuse box, he discovered a loose wire. Within minutes, the lights came back on.

Mrs. Lawson walked in, pressed the switch, and saw the room brighten. "Hmm." She nodded slightly. At least he wasn't completely useless. But she would never say those words aloud. Instead, she simply turned around and walked away.

Ethan smiled to himself. He wasn't expecting praise. Only acceptance.

Outside the room, Sophia had witnessed everything. She watched Ethan quietly carrying his toolbox back downstairs. She couldn't deny one thing: he worked hard. Very hard. Yet no matter how hard he tried, her feelings didn't change. She had married him because of her grandfather's promise, not because she loved him.

As Ethan reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard laughter coming from the living room. Several relatives had come to visit after the wedding.

One of them pointed toward Ethan. "So that's the famous son-in-law. He looks more like a handyman."

Another laughed. "I heard he doesn't even own a car. What kind of future can he give Sophia?"

The room filled with laughter. Ethan tightened his grip on the toolbox. Then he smiled politely. "Good afternoon."

The relatives looked at one another. One of them chuckled. "At least he's polite."

Another shook his head. "Politeness doesn't pay the bills."

Ethan quietly walked past them. He had learned something during his years alone: not every insult deserved an answer. Sometimes, silence was stronger.

Ethan carried the toolbox back to the storage room and placed it neatly on the shelf. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a quiet sigh. It was almost two in the afternoon. He had been working since sunrise. Only then did he remember that he hadn't eaten a single meal all day.

Just as he turned toward the kitchen, Mrs. Lawson's voice echoed through the house. "Ethan!"

He stopped immediately. "Yes, Mother."

She walked into the hallway with a displeased look on her face. "The relatives are staying for lunch. There isn't enough food. Go to the supermarket and buy everything on this list." She handed him a sheet of paper.

Ethan looked at it. There were more than twenty items on the list. "Alright." He slipped the paper into his pocket.

Mrs. Lawson added coldly, "And don't waste money. Compare the prices before you buy anything."

"I understand." Without another word, Ethan left the mansion.

An hour later, he returned carrying several heavy shopping bags. His arms ached from the weight, but he didn't complain. As he entered the house, he heard laughter from the dining room. The relatives had already started eating. The smell of roasted chicken and fresh soup filled the air.

Ethan quietly placed the groceries on the kitchen counter. Before he could organize them, Mrs. Lawson walked in. "What took you so long?"

"There was traffic," Ethan replied honestly.

She frowned. "Always an excuse. Now hurry and wash the dishes."

Ethan looked toward the dining room. Everyone was enjoying lunch together. Even Sophia was smiling politely as she spoke with her cousins. For a moment, he thought someone might invite him to join them. No one did.

He simply nodded. "I'll clean everything."

He stood by the sink, washing plate after plate while listening to the cheerful conversations behind him.

One of Sophia's uncles glanced into the kitchen. "So... that's your new son-in-law?"

Mrs. Lawson smiled awkwardly. "He's still learning."

Another relative laughed. "He works harder than the servants. Maybe that's why you chose him."

Everyone laughed. Ethan kept scrubbing the dishes. He acted as if he couldn't hear them.

By the time he finished cleaning, the dining room was empty. The food had already been cleared away. On the table sat one small bowl containing a little cold rice and vegetables.

Mrs. Lawson looked at it. "That's yours."

Ethan smiled gently. "Thank you." He sat down quietly and began eating. The food was cold, but after a long day without eating, it tasted better than nothing.

Just then, Sophia walked into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw him eating alone. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Finally, she asked softly, "Is that all that's left?"

Ethan smiled. "It's enough."

Sophia looked at the small bowl. She knew it wasn't enough. But before she could say anything, Mrs. Lawson entered. "Sophia. We're leaving soon."

Sophia nodded. She looked at Ethan one last time, then quietly followed her mother out of the kitchen.

Ethan continued eating. His smile slowly disappeared.

That evening, Ethan finished cleaning the house. He watered the flowers in the garden. He took out the trash. He locked the front gate. By the time everything was done, the sky had turned dark.

He finally returned to his room. His body felt completely exhausted. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the quiet room.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened. Sophia walked inside. She had already changed into comfortable clothes. She noticed Ethan rubbing his sore hands.

After a moment of silence, she spoke. "My mother... can be difficult."

Ethan looked up and smiled. "It's alright. I'm getting used to it."

Sophia lowered her eyes. "You don't have to do everything she asks."

Ethan shook his head. "I don't mind helping. This is your family's home. I want them to accept me."

Sophia sighed quietly. "It won't be easy."

"I know. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy."

His answer surprised her. She had expected complaints. Instead, she found calm determination. For the first time since their wedding, she wondered what kind of man Ethan really was.

Before she could continue the conversation, her phone rang. She looked at the screen. A smile appeared on her face. "I need to take this." She stepped onto the balcony and answered the call.

Ethan didn't mean to listen, but the balcony door was slightly open. A cheerful male voice came through the phone. "Sophia, have you settled into married life?"

She smiled. "I'm managing."

"We should meet sometime. I've missed talking to you."

Sophia laughed softly. "Maybe."

Ethan quietly looked away. He didn't know who the caller was, but hearing his wife's warm laughter made something inside him ache.

After the call ended, Sophia returned to the room. "I'm going to sleep," she said.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She lay on one side of the bed. Ethan took a blanket and spread it on the floor.

Sophia looked at him in surprise. "You don't have to sleep there."

Ethan smiled. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

She remained silent. He turned off the light. The room became quiet. Outside, the wind gently blew through the trees.

Ethan stared at the ceiling. His back hurt. His hands were sore. His heart felt heavy. Yet he whispered to himself, "Tomorrow will be better." He closed his eyes, holding on to that small hope.

Neither Ethan nor Sophia knew that their peaceful-looking marriage had already begun to crack. And before long, someone from Sophia's past would return and change both of their lives forever.