The Underdog Son-in-law

001

The elevator doors slid open onto the executive floor of Halwen Group.

Laughter spilled out first, and champagne glasses clicked joyfully.

Then Caelen Virex stepped out calmly.

He wore a simple suit, clean and pressed, nothing flashy. The flashy looks of the guest, their heavy jewelries mocked his existence. 

In his left hand was a small, dark box, wrapped neatly, the edges sharp. A soft smile tugging his face.

It was his wife's celebration party today, her company had been blooming fast and she just signed another contract with one of the top firms. 

However, immediately their eyes laid on him, their joyful laughter stiffened, replaced by something close to irritation.

“You invited the trash in?” Their words stung like that of a bee.

Caelen was the infamous live-in Son-in-law of the Halwen household, treated below the levels of stray dogs because they thought him below their league.

At best, he was supposed to be shackled up with people coughed by the gutters.

A woman near the drinks table leaned. He actually came?”

Her companion snorted. “Of course he did. When no where else to leech from? Didn't they say a beggar has no choice?”

“He's definitely the true definition of pathetic!”

Lady Halwen, his mother in law, noticed him immediately and her stomach churned with deep disdain.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes sharp with irritation rather than surprise. She set her glass down with a deliberate clink and turned fully toward him, her gaze sweeping over his clothes like she was inspecting a stain.

“So,” she said coldly, loud enough for those nearby to hear. “I never mentioned that we also needed trash to tag along."

Condescending laughter erupted through the halls.

Lady Halwen’s tone hardened. “I was wondering how long it would take before you crawled out to embarrass us again, because frankly that's the only thing you have ever done." 

He paused. “I came to celebrate with Lyra, I'm her husband."

A ripple of quiet laughter moved through the group.

“Her husband indeed. Then she would be better living as a nun instead!”

“I would even pair with a dog instead of such a useless fellow!” Another member of the crowd added, their voice laced with disdain.

In their minds, they were supposed to be the one, sleeping beside the city's gem at night, but instead, the face she wakes up to every morning was a utter nobody.

Another voice chimed in, softer but sharper. “Honestly, Lyra is too kind. If I were her, I’d have kicked him out long ago. She is stunning and could get any successful and wealthy man she wants, yet she's tied up to some homeless bum."

Caelen’s fingers tightened around the box for a brief second.

He relaxed them just as quickly.

"I only came here for Lyra, I don't want trouble!" His unreadable Express fueling their anger even more. 

Then he walked past her.

The conference area was just ahead, glass walls revealing the heart of the celebration. Executives stood in a loose circle, smiles bright, attention focused inward.

Lyra Halwen stood at the center.

She looked radiant and irresistibly alluring. Her posture was straight, chin lifted, eyes alight with triumph. Applause broke out again as someone congratulated her on the contract—another major partnership secured.

 And there was someone beside her, Edrin Knox, her first love that came to the city about a year ago.

His presence alone was enough. Tailored suit, relaxed stance, one hand resting lightly on the back of a chair as if it belonged there. He leaned slightly toward Lyra, close enough to signal intimacy without touching.

Ever since his return, she has been acting up, coming home late, resisting his touch, running off from time together. But he would always come up with excuses for her.

Seeing him beside her caused his intestine to twist into knots but Caelen quickly went past the feeling.

“Lyra,” he said, his voice calm but clear.

The applause faded, replaced with the deep sense of disdain in their gazes that pierced deep into his skin.

Lyra turned, a smile shifted and whispers built below the shadows.

For a split second, something flickered across her face—hesitation, perhaps irritation. Then it was gone, replaced by composure.

She didn’t smile.

“Yes? Are you done with tasks at home?" she asked.

“That's not why I'm here!” Caelen said calmly lifting the box “Congratulations on the contract.” He brought out the post and the necklace dangled with effortless grace.

"A trinket? What a joke."

Edrin’s brow lifted faintly, as if amused.

"I've heard so much about the useless Son-in-law of Halwen's family. I never realized the situation is this bad, brining a dog's chain to celebrate a successful CEO!" An executive hinted with washed disdain.

Edrin stepped in with a calm composure and warm smile that lit up the room.

"You can't blame him, he's just acting out on his love in the way that he can!"

"I got a million dollar bracelet because I could 'afford that.'

He seemed to be helping but it only caused even more uproars, and a subtly satisfactory smug lit his face.

Snickers and chuckles slipped here and there, mocking stabs jabbing Caelen from every side.

"Then he could have just kept the love private instead of embarrassing Madam this bad in public!" Jane, her friend, lets out venomous scoffs.

“That's what real men do!” Another added.

Her lips pressed together, her face burning red with embarrassment.

“You shouldn’t have come,” she said.

"For my wife's own celebration ceremony." Caelen almost let out a bitter chuckle.

"You know your condition.' You could have just spared both of us!" She snaps.

Edrin finally spoke, his tone mild, almost apologetic. “Mr. Virex, is it?” He smiled politely but tearing Caelen apart with practiced cruelty

 “You’re damping the mood. If you're being considerate, you would?”

Caelen looked at him. “This is between my wife and me.” His expression was cold and drew goosebumps out Edrin's skin and caused Lyra to frown.

Lyra’s jaw tightened.

"Don't yell at him, Caelen, he's only trying to help!" She snaps.

"You're siding someone else over your husband!" Caelen brows cocked.

"Don't be childish Caelen. He only started the obvious and nothing more. You're always like this, throwing blames, making everything seem like it's about you!

I have tried to convince myself, give you more trials, but this isn't working Calen and now I understand that it never can. We're not on the same pages.

You can never understand me, my ambition. I'm at the top of the food chain and you're... A bottom feeder, we're galaxies apart and that's why this has to happen.

She reached into her folder and pulled out a document.

Divorce papers.

She placed them against his chest.

“We need to end this,” she said. “This marriage doesn’t serve me anymore and would only keep dragging us!" She paused. "Me to the mud!"

The words struck harder than the paper. Caelen wasn't shocked but his heart bristled with pain though he remained calm, his being shattered into multiple fractions.

 “Is this because of him?” He didn't need to point, Edrin already knew who he was talking about.

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Sonerhin quickly shifted in her expression.

Lyra continued, her voice gaining strength. “Edrin has nothing to do with it." She paused.

"I have plans Caelen and I don't just see an idler fitting into any of it. But even if he did—” she shrugged, “—he’s more of a man than you. I need a partner. Not someone who cleans up after me and barks like a dog

A few people chuckled.

Caelen swallowed. His throat felt tight, but his voice remained steady. “So everything we built, the love we shared? The late night meals? Tending to you when you were ill, they all meant nothing?”

“We?” Lyra interrupted. “Don’t confuse proximity with contribution.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice, though everyone could still hear. “You held me back long enough. I won’t carry dead weight anymore.”

“And besides these are things anyone on the street can easily do. I need a real man not a nanny husband.”

Edrin leaned in slightly. “Ambition requires alignment,” he said gently. “Not everyone can keep up. You should understand her point and if you truly love her!"

"Stay off of this!" Caelen expression instantly turned cold

Caelen looked at Lyra. “Say it plainly.”

She met his gaze. “You’re an obstacle.”

The room went still.

“This divorce is practical,” she continued. “I’m choosing what’s best for my future.”

"And I would pay you for all the contributions you think you've made! A million dollars?"

Caelen instantly scoffed.

"That's what you think I'm worth!"

"Two million?" Lyra scoffed angrily not thinking he would be that greedy.

Edrin shrugged, anger boiling deep in his stomach. He had his plans already, once Caelen leaves, he was going to wrap Lyra around his hands and take over her cooperation.

He already saw all her assets as his and that meant he was losing 2 million together for a homeless stray dog.

He clenched his hands tightly to control his tongue. He was going to get the money back, somehow.

Caelen nodded once. "Fine! I don't see any need to pursue a fartile love!"

Lady Halwen exhaled in satisfaction. “Finally.”

 He took the divorce papers, signed and tossed it over to her, applause erupted through the hall yells of freedom.

“Donate the money to charity. I don't need it but I will monitor it closely."

Lyra stared at him, anger flashing. “You’re a pompous fool. Do you think you can live with your current state?"

Lady Halwen laughed. “He’ll be begging on the streets in a month.”

Caelen turned away.

"I hope you don't regret this!"

Laughters echoed throughout the hall, hurtful statements hauled at him. Lyra thought she was going to feel relieved, removing the DEA weight from her shoulders. Instead, she felt something was slipping away from her and it caused her skin to crawl.

Outside, the city lights blurred softly in the distance. The noise of celebration faded behind him.

His phone vibrated.

A single message appeared on the screen.

Poverty Further instructions pending.

{ Poverty trial reward }

An estate at the east coast of the city.

Access to a part of the immediate family halted.

"10 billion dollars reward!"

"Ownership of Neon estate."​