The Son-in-Law's Rise to Supremacy

Chapter 3 - The Family Servant

The days after the wedding passed quietly. Every morning, Ethan was the first person to wake up in the Lawson mansion. Before the sun rose, he was already downstairs, tying an apron around his waist and preparing breakfast.

He had learned everyone's preferences within a week. Mr. Lawson liked black coffee without sugar. Mrs. Lawson preferred warm lemon tea before eating. Sophia liked toasted bread with scrambled eggs and a glass of fresh orange juice. No one had asked Ethan to remember these things — he simply paid attention. To him, caring for his family was part of being a husband.

As the aroma of breakfast filled the kitchen, Ethan carefully placed the dishes on the dining table. A moment later, Mrs. Lawson walked in. She glanced at the table before looking at Ethan. "The toast is a little darker than yesterday."

"I'm sorry," Ethan replied immediately. "I'll make another batch."

"Hurry."

Without arguing, Ethan returned to the kitchen. Sophia entered a few minutes later. She noticed Ethan throwing away the first batch of toast. "You made all of that again?"

Ethan smiled. "It only takes a few minutes."

Sophia wanted to say something, but she remained silent and took her seat. Soon, everyone gathered for breakfast. Mrs. Lawson tasted the new toast and nodded. "This is better."

Mr. Lawson folded his newspaper. "I have an important meeting today." He looked at Ethan. "Wash my car before ten."

"Yes, Father."

Mrs. Lawson added another task. "The garden is full of weeds. I want it cleaned before noon."

"Alright."

Sophia quietly finished her breakfast. Before leaving for work, she looked at Ethan. "Don't overwork yourself."

Ethan smiled warmly. "I'll be fine."

She gave a small nod and walked away.

Mrs. Lawson watched the exchange. "Stop standing there. You have work to do."

Ethan immediately carried the empty plates into the kitchen.

An hour later, he was outside washing Mr. Lawson's black sedan. The morning sun reflected off the polished paint. Ethan carefully cleaned every corner until the car looked brand new.

As he dried the windows, the family's longtime gardener walked over. His name was Uncle Ben, a man in his sixties with gray hair and a kind smile.

"You don't have to do my work too," Uncle Ben said.

Ethan smiled. "It's alright. We'll finish faster together."

Uncle Ben looked at him with admiration. "In all my years working here, I've never met a young man like you."

Ethan laughed softly. "I'm just doing what I should."

Uncle Ben shook his head. "No. You're doing much more than that."

Most people in Ethan's position would have complained. Some would have left the mansion already. But Ethan endured everything with patience.

As they finished cleaning the garden, Mrs. Lawson stepped outside. She looked around. "The flowers look much better." Then she turned to Ethan. "The air conditioner in the guest room isn't working. Fix it."

"I'll check it now."

Without taking a break, Ethan picked up his toolbox and headed upstairs. After opening the air conditioner, he quickly found the problem — a loose wire had disconnected from the power supply. Within fifteen minutes, cold air filled the room again.

Mrs. Lawson tested it. "It works." She turned around and left without another word.

Ethan simply smiled to himself. He wasn't expecting praise anymore.

By afternoon, Ethan had already cleaned the garage, repaired a leaking kitchen tap, and replaced two broken light bulbs. His shirt was soaked with sweat.

As he walked into the kitchen for a glass of water, he overheard two maids talking quietly.

"I almost feel sorry for him."

"So do I."

"He's the son-in-law, but he works harder than everyone in this house."

The other maid sighed. "And no one appreciates him."

Ethan deliberately made a little noise as he entered. The two women quickly stopped talking. "Young Master Ethan," one of them said awkwardly.

Ethan smiled. "You don't have to call me that. I'm just Ethan."

The older maid looked embarrassed. "You're always so kind."

Ethan filled a glass with water. "Kindness doesn't cost anything."

The women exchanged glances. They couldn't understand how someone treated so poorly could still smile so sincerely.

After drinking the water, Ethan returned to work. He believed that one day, his efforts would be recognized. He just didn't know how long it would take.

That evening, the Lawson family gathered in the living room. Mrs. Lawson looked around. "Where's Ethan?"

"Still working," one maid replied.

Mrs. Lawson frowned. "Tell him to prepare dinner."

The maid nodded. A few minutes later, Ethan entered the kitchen and immediately started cooking. Although he had never attended culinary school, years of living alone had taught him how to prepare delicious meals. Within an hour, the dining table was covered with freshly cooked dishes.

Mr. Lawson took the first bite. "The soup is good."

Mrs. Lawson nodded. "The fish is acceptable."

Those simple words were the closest Ethan had ever received to a compliment. He smiled quietly. Maybe things were beginning to change.

Just then, the front doorbell rang. Everyone looked toward the entrance. A maid hurried to answer it. A moment later, she returned with a slightly surprised expression. "Madam... someone is here to see Miss Sophia."

Mrs. Lawson looked confused. "Who is it?"

Before the maid could answer, a confident male voice echoed from the entrance. "I hope I'm not interrupting dinner."

Ethan slowly turned toward the door. The moment Sophia saw the visitor, her eyes widened. The living room fell silent. Everyone turned toward the entrance.

A tall, handsome young man walked in carrying a bouquet of white roses and an expensive gift box. He wore a tailored navy-blue suit, and the confidence in his eyes made it clear he came from a wealthy family. A warm smile spread across his face. "Sophia."

Sophia stood up in surprise. "Ryan... when did you get back?"

"This afternoon," he replied with a smile. "I came straight from the airport." He handed her the flowers. "Congratulations on your wedding."

Sophia hesitated before accepting them. "Thank you."

Ryan glanced around the room before his eyes settled on Ethan. "So... your husband?"

Sophia nodded quietly. "Yes."

Ryan walked toward Ethan and extended his hand. "I'm Ryan Brooks."

"Ethan Carter."

The two men shook hands. Ryan smiled politely. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Ethan replied.

Although Ryan remained polite, Ethan noticed something in his eyes — disappointment, almost as if Ryan couldn't believe Sophia had married him.

Mrs. Lawson quickly invited Ryan to sit down. "Ryan, have dinner with us."

"I'd love to."

A maid hurried to bring another chair. As everyone sat down again, Ryan looked around the table. "You have a beautiful home."

Mr. Lawson smiled proudly. "Thank you."

Ryan then looked at Sophia. "I still remember when we studied together overseas. You were always the smartest in class."

Sophia smiled faintly. "That was a long time ago."

Their conversation flowed naturally. They laughed over old memories. Ethan quietly served everyone food before sitting at the end of the table. He listened more than he spoke.

Mrs. Lawson noticed. She smiled to herself. Ryan was exactly the kind of man she had always wanted as a son-in-law — educated, rich, confident. Not someone like Ethan.

After dinner, Ryan stood up. "I actually brought something for Uncle Lawson." He opened the gift box. Inside was a luxury wristwatch from a famous Swiss brand.

Mr. Lawson's eyes widened. "This is too expensive."

Ryan smiled. "You've always treated me well. Please accept it."

Mr. Lawson admired the watch with obvious excitement. Mrs. Lawson couldn't hide her happiness either. "What a thoughtful young man."

Ryan shrugged modestly. "It's only a small gift."

Mrs. Lawson glanced at Ethan, then back at Ryan. The comparison was impossible to ignore. One brought an expensive watch. The other spent his days cleaning windows and fixing light bulbs. She sighed inwardly. "What a pity..."

A few minutes later, Ryan prepared to leave. Before walking out, he turned to Sophia. "I'll be in the city for a while. We should have coffee someday."

Sophia looked at Ethan for a brief moment before answering. "Sure."

Ethan simply smiled. "Drive safely."

Ryan nodded politely and left. The sound of his sports car faded into the distance. The living room became quiet again.

Mrs. Lawson looked at Sophia. "You and Ryan always got along well."

Sophia lowered her eyes. "We were just classmates."

Mrs. Lawson smiled knowingly. "Sometimes life gives people a second chance."

Ethan heard those words clearly, but he pretended not to. Instead, he stood up and began collecting the dirty plates. As he carried them toward the kitchen, he heard Mrs. Lawson continue speaking. "If Ryan had returned a few months earlier..." She didn't finish her sentence. She didn't need to. Everyone already understood.

Later that night, Ethan stood alone in the kitchen washing the dishes. The warm water flowed over his tired hands. Behind him, the house had grown quiet. Most of the lights were already off.

Sophia quietly walked into the kitchen. She found Ethan carefully drying the last plate. "You don't have to do everything by yourself," she said.

Ethan smiled. "I've almost finished."

Sophia leaned against the doorway. "I'm sorry about my mother."

Ethan looked at her. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Because..." She paused. "Sometimes she goes too far."

Ethan placed the plate in the cupboard. "I know she wants what's best for you."

Sophia looked surprised. "You're not angry?"

He chuckled softly. "Being angry won't solve anything. I chose this marriage. I'll do my best to make it work."

For a long moment, Sophia said nothing. She had expected bitterness, complaints, resentment. Instead, Ethan remained calm, kind, patient. For the first time, she wondered if she had judged him too quickly.

Just then, Ethan looked at the clock. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."

Sophia nodded. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She walked upstairs. Ethan turned off the kitchen lights and looked around the silent mansion. Everything was clean. Everything was in order. Yet somehow, he still felt like he didn't belong.

He stepped outside onto the back porch. The night air was cool. He looked up at the stars. A small smile appeared on his face. "No matter how long it takes... I won't give up."

Inside the mansion, someone watched him quietly from an upstairs window. Sophia stood behind the curtain. She watched Ethan staring into the night with a calm expression. For reasons she couldn't explain, her heart felt unexpectedly heavy. She slowly closed the curtain.

Neither of them realized that the days ahead would test their marriage in ways they could never imagine. And before long, a promise Ethan had made on his wedding day would be put to its very first test.