The Worthless Son-in-law Is A Billionaire

Chapter 7

Ethan’s POV

Jason paced nervously, while Sophia sat quietly on a bench farther back, looking exhausted in a simple elegant dress, her eyes red, obviously from crying.

I started walking toward the exit, not wanting them to notice me. My head was lowered, my hands shoved deep into my pockets as I slipped through. Thankfully, no one stopped me. None of the Carters seemed to notice my departure, and I wasn't in the mood to exchange another word with any of them.

I was just a few steps from the exit when someone suddenly collided with my shoulder.

"Sorry!" she blurted out, stumbling a step as the files in her arms and the small bag hanging from her shoulder nearly slipped from her grasp.

I reached out instinctively and caught her arm, steadying her before she could fall.

"Ethan?" she gasped, looking up at me.

I looked at her, and my heart skipped a beat as recognition struck. Those warm brown eyes, that familiar face—She hadn't changed much.

"Ethan?" she whispered, disbelief and excitement mixing in her voice. "Is this really you?”

“Susan Megan?” I said, surprised. My childhood friend—practically a sister growing up before I disappeared. She looked even more confident now, beautiful in a sharp business suit.

She laughed and pulled me into a tight hug right there in the lobby. “So you’re back! I saw the news last night and couldn’t believe it. The janitor story… Ethan, I’m so sorry about everything you went through. No one deserves that kind of humiliation.”

I hugged her back, the familiar comfort of an old friend easing some tension. “Susan… It's been years. Don’t apologize. You had nothing to do with it.”

We stepped apart but kept talking as we walked toward the exit doors. “I’ve built my own consulting firm,” she said, smiling. “But hearing about you… I had to come see if it was really you. Dinner tonight? I won’t take no for an answer. We have so much catching up to do. My treat at La Belle Étoile. Say yes.”

I hesitated for half a second, thinking of Sophia’s messages. But the warmth in Susan’s eyes felt genuine. “Alright. Dinner tonight sounds good. I could use a real friend right now.”

She beamed. “Perfect! I’ll text you the details. Can’t wait.”

We shared one last hug before she headed toward her car.

I turned toward mine, where my personal guard, Billy, was already holding the rear door open. For the first time that day, a small smile tugged at my lips.

I was about to get in when a voice cut through the lobby.

“Ethan!”

I stopped and turned.

Victoria had spotted me and was hurrying toward me, Jason close behind. Sophia followed a few steps back, her pace quickening as a bit of hope flashed across her face.

The moment they got too close, Billy stepped in front of me. His expression hardened as he stretched out an arm, blocking their path.

“Back up,” he said coldly.

When Jason tried to push forward, Billy shoved him back several steps. 

Victoria stumbled as well, her face twisting with shock and outrage.

“Sir—” Billy began, clearly prepared to remove them from the premises.

“Billy,” I said calmly.

He immediately stopped and glanced at me.

“It’s fine.”

Reluctantly, he stepped aside, though he remained close enough to intervene if necessary.

Victoria reached me first. Her expression was a careful blend of desperation and forced warmth.

“Ethan, my dear!” she exclaimed. “We’ve been waiting here all morning. Security wouldn’t let us upstairs. We need to talk—as a family.”

Jason nodded eagerly, taking a step forward. “Yeah, bro. Let’s fix this. We’re family, right? I even brought some gifts.” He gestured toward several expensive-looking bags sitting near the entrance. “Just hear us out.”

I looked at the bags, then back at him. “Do you really think gifts can fix your mess?”

Jason's smile faltered.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said quickly. “I just thought it would show we've realized our shortcomings.”

Victoria swallowed hard and stepped closer. For once, there was no arrogance in her eyes.

“Ethan... we made mistakes,” she admitted quietly. “Maybe terrible mistakes. But we came all the way here because we want to make things right.”

I held her gaze without saying a word.

Sophia moved forward next, her eyes red as if she hadn't slept.

“Ethan, please.” Her voice trembled. “I've been thinking about us all night. About everything we've been through together. I know I've hurt you, and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness right now, but please don't shut me out.”

A heavy silence settled between us. 

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Jason cleared his throat nervously. “Look, man, just give us a chance. Five minutes. That's all we're asking.”

I glanced at each of them. The same people who had laughed at me, doubted me, and treated me like I was nothing were now standing in front of me begging for my attention.

The irony wasn't lost on me.

Slowly, I checked my watch.

Dinner with Susan was in a couple of hours. More importantly, I needed distance. A clear head.

I raised a hand before any of them could continue.

“Not here,” I said calmly.

Hope instantly lit up in Sophia's eyes.

“Then when?” she asked quickly.

“Not now.”

The hope faded just as fast.

“Ethan…” Victoria started.

“No.” My voice remained calm but firm. “I've heard enough for one day.”

Jason opened his mouth again, but I was already turning away.

I nodded to Billy. Immediately, he stepped forward and formed a barrier between us.

Sophia took another desperate step. “Ethan, please… don’t leave like this.”

I paused for half a second, but I still didn’t look back.

“Go home, Sophia.”

Her breath caught.

Billy moved in, gesturing firmly for them to stay back as he closed the door.

From inside the car, I could still hear Jason calling my name and Victoria trying to say something else, but their voices faded quickly as Billy started the engine.

We drove off, leaving them standing there, stunned, and watching as my car disappeared down the road.

………

That evening, La Belle Étoile glowed under soft lighting and crystal chandeliers as we arrived.

I had picked Susan up from her apartment, though she insisted she could come on her own.

We were shown to a private table by the window, where the city lights stretched out beneath us like a quiet ocean. She looked stunning in a deep blue dress, laughing softly as she recalled stories from our childhood.

“You always protected everyone,” she said, sipping wine. “Even when you had nothing to prove. I’m glad you’re back where you belong.”

I smiled, relaxing for the first time. “It feels strange. But talking to you makes it easier. Thanks for this, Susy.”

We ordered fine steaks and continued chatting. 

Her company had done work with Blackstone before, so she gave me useful insights. The conversation flowed naturally—comfortable, light, free of judgment.

I didn’t notice Victoria and Sophia enter the restaurant on the other side of the room. From the look of their table, they were likely there for a business meeting with a potential partner.

Victoria spotted us first. Her eyes widened in shock.

Sophia followed her line of sight and froze.

For a brief moment, she looked genuinely unsettled, as if she hadn’t expected to see me here… smiling, relaxed, and deep in conversation with someone else.

Victoria’s face twisted with anger. She shot up from her table, ignoring her meeting partner, and marched straight toward us.

She reached our table and sharply tapped Susan’s shoulder. “Hello! Do you realize he’s a married man!”

The words cut through the restaurant like a slap, heads turned.

Susan looked up in surprise. I set my wine glass down slowly, my jaw tightening as the peaceful evening shattered.