Ethan gazed at Maya's outward beauty, yet he saw her inner ugliness. "Haha, you betrayed me, accused me of infidelity, and now you wish to strike me? What a remarkable wife I have indeed. I've married a true rarity!"
Ethan's frustration knew no bounds. To everyone's surprise, Alexander seized the giant enforcement ruler and charged towards Ethan."You scoundrel! How dare you hit me? I'll ruin your face!" Alexander threatened, attempting to strike Ethan with the enforcement ruler.Ethan remained composed, swiftly evading the blow. He seized Alexander's arm with his left hand and deftly twisted it, causing Alexander to inadvertently strike himself in the face with the giant enforcement ruler.Smack!The forceful impact left Alexander's already grim visage looking even more distorted.The onlookers were left in utter astonishment at the unexpected turn of events."How dare a live-in son-in-law strike the heir of the Reynolds!?"Old Ms. Mimi rose to her feet, her voice booming, "Scoundrel! How dare you behave so recklessly and cause a scene here!? Do you realize the number of government officials present? They could have you arrested and thrown behind bars this instant!"Ethan pondered Old Ms. Mimi's words. It was common for the wealthy to have connections with high-ranking government officials, like the Reynolds. Their network extended to influential figures of power and prestige. Nevertheless, Ethan turned to the guests and calmly asserted, "I believe the officials should have witnessed that Alexander was the one who attempted to strike me with a weapon first, and I merely defended myself."The guests, dressed in casual attire rather than uniforms, listened intently. Among them, a tall, bespectacled individual spoke up, "However, you did pledge to accept punishment according to the family's law. Yet, when the time came to administer the punishment, you reneged on your word. What do you have to say for yourself?" "Do you believe it's appropriate behavior for a man?" As the words left his lips, the assembled crowd reacted with fervor, acknowledging his esteemed reputation. In response to the crowd's sentiments, a smile graced the lips of Old Ms. Mimi.Ethan calmly remarked, "I am prepared to abide by the Reynolds family's law of conduct, unless I am genuinely at fault."Old Ms. Mimi raised her voice, exclaiming, "Engaging in extramarital affairs behind Maya's back and harming my grandson is inexcusable!"Disgust evident on his face, Ethan retorted, "For the past three years, my love for Maya has been unwavering and true!""It was your own granddaughter who betrayed me! She was seen entering a room with Tony West at the Sunset Tower Hotel just yesterday. Feel free to verify the truth!"The only way to resolve this situation was to review the CCTV footage from the hotel room. If it isn't clear from the video, that was the only thing that can save the drama Upon hearing this revelation, the atmosphere in the hall became animated as guests engaged in lively conversation and exchanged pleasantries."Tony? Are you referring to Tony West, the scion of the West family?" "I've long heard that the Reynolds intend to let the scion of the West marry Maya seems like it's true.""The Reynolds and the West families do seem well-matched, but if Maya is engaging in extramarital affairs, it may be more appropriate for her to seek a divorce before considering remarriage. Such behavior does not align with their reputations," observed a guest. "It appears that the so-called most beautiful woman in Los Angeles may not be as innocent as she appears," murmured a member of the crowd.Upon catching wind of the whisper, Maya blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment."Grandma, everyone, please do not believe these baseless rumors. I met with Tony yesterday to discuss business matters. As you all know, Lucasfilm Ltd has been seeking investors recently, and that was the purpose of our meeting," Maya explained earnestly.Ethan chuckled sardonically and remarked, "Discussing business in a hotel room while dressed in a bathrobe? Are you trying to deceive everyone here!?"Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the restroom and strolled into the hall."Speak of the devil," murmured a spectator as Maya's supposed departed lover, Tony, unexpectedly appeared amidst the commotion. Tony was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, as he was not accustomed to leaving the lobby in such a tumultuous manner.Upon spotting Tony, Maya hurriedly pulled him into the center of the commotion."Tony, this audacious relative of our family is accusing me of engaging in an extramarital affair with you. Please, quickly clarify that our meeting yesterday was purely business-related," implored Maya.Tony stood frozen, comprehending the reason behind the peculiar glances directed his way by the onlookers.Glancing at Ethan, Tony seethed inwardly, "How dare this worthless leech who lives off his wife expose my relationship with Maya in front of everyone."While it was not uncommon for members of the upper class to partake in scandalous behavior, the key disparity between them and common troublemakers lay in their ability to maintain a positive public image despite their transgressions. Tony spoke up assertively, addressing the gathered crowd, "Everyone, disregard the baseless claims made by Ethan. Maya and I are innocent. She visited me yesterday solely to deliver a document."Turning to Ethan, Tony challenged him, "Ethan, you accused Maya of infidelity with me, but do you have any evidence, such as videos or photos?"Tony was well aware that Ethan had not taken any incriminating footage at the hotel the previous day. Furthermore, the only video that could have confirmed Maya's presence in the hotel room had been deleted by Tony for unrelated reasons.So no matter how Ethan try to proof his worth there is no evidence."Perhaps many of you are unaware, but this so-called son-in-law also works part-time as a driver. I inadvertently left my phone in his cab, only for him to carelessly toss it aside due to a minor payment delay," Tony revealed, shedding light on Ethan's questionable actions.In the presence of esteemed figures including the chief of staff of a well-known transportation company, Tony was already privy to Ethan's employee number visibly displayed on his attire. Without delay, a vigilant bodyguard accompanying the chief swiftly input Ethan's employee number into the company's application to review his most recent order.Upon completion of the check, the bodyguard affirmed, "Tony, you're correct. There appears to be a slight delay in payment."Before the bodyguard could elaborate further, Tony interjected, "The reason for the delayed payment stems from his unprofessional conduct, specifically his act of carelessly discarding my phone to the ground."With this revelation, the public sentiment began to shift, aligning more with Maya and Tony's perspective.Turning towards Maya, Ethan inquired, "Are you not going to clarify why I dropped the phone?"Maintaining an air of innocence, Maya crossed her arms, subtly emphasizing her point with a raised finger. ""You w
At that moment, Ethan joined in the laughter and lifted a glass of wine before making his way towards Maya."Congratulations, Maya. You can now search for a man who truly suits you," Ethan remarked.Maya's response was chilly. She sensed that Ethan was concealing his inner turmoil and resentment behind his smile.With a cold huff, Maya said, "If you were to kneel down and plead with me now, perhaps Grandma might show you some leniency and refrain from casting you out, at least temporarily."Ethan chuckled in response, "You've betrayed me, and yet you expect me to kneel and beg to you?""Truly, they are the epitome of the pseudo-elite in high society!" Ethan swiftly downed the contents of his glass, adding, "You are far from deserving it!"Tensions rose as their exchange hung in the air, leaving both Maya and Ethan at a standoff."You..."Maya's stunning features were now a mask of anger. She had always held herself with regal poise in front of Ethan, like a queen in his presence.Yet t
Realizing Ethan's formidable combat abilities that surpassed even the professional fighters Klein had sent, the Reynolds family began to feel a sense of unease. Klein spoke up, "Folks, this formidable individual, Ethan, possesses extraordinary fighting prowess. I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to approach the affluent residents of Los Angeles to offer his services as a personal bodyguard. Who among you is willing to obstruct his potential path in this direction?" A hush fell over the room as the attendees pondered. In a city like Los Angeles, teeming with wealthy individuals, nobody dared to assert that they held the authority to influence or impede Ethan's prospects as a bodyguard. Suddenly, a woman who had been quietly seated for some time let out a charming laugh that captivated the room. All heads turned to behold a woman clad in a striking red business suit, exuding an aura of allure and sophistication. Despite appearing to be in her early thirties, she possessed the magn
She studied Ethan from head to toe, finding him rather handsome to her satisfaction.In a somewhat condescending tone, Clara inquired, "Name?"Confused, Ethan replied, "What name?"Clara clarified, "Your name."Ethan, puzzled, responded, "Didn't Klein just mention that my name is Ethan Sinclair?""Rogue! Show some respect to Miss Walport!" Klein scolded Ethan loudly.Clara waved her hand nonchalantly and remarked, "Ethan, considering you share the same surname as the CEO of Walt Disney, I'm willing to offer you a way out."The crowd was left in a state of shock, with the Reynolds family particularly stunned by the revelation in the previous sentence.The fact that the new CEO of Walt Disney also bore the surname Sinclair had captured their attention."I finally discovered the surname of the Walt Disney CEO," Old Ms. Mimi exclaimed, her spirits lifted."How can someone as insignificant as Ethan hold as much weight as a multimillion-dollar deal?" one person questioned incredulously.Soph
The Reynolds family felt invigorated upon hearing Clara's words!"Hahaha, Ethan, you good-for-nothing, now you can't even be a bodyguard! There won't be any chance for you to survive in Los Angeles anymore. Hahaha!" Alexander laughed heartily.While Maya couldn't help but feel sorry for Ethan, she raised her head proudly and silently mused, "This is all your fault! You deserve to endure everything I've put you through!"Despite the taunts and laughter, Ethan remained calm and composed.Turning to Clara, he inquired, "Miss Walport, may I ask if your statements just now reflect your personal views or those of Walt Disney?"Clara crossed her arms and asserted, "I represent both, of course!"Undeterred, Ethan pressed on, "As the Deputy President of Walt Disney, not the President, what authority do you have to speak on behalf of the entire company?"Ethan's probing question left Clara feeling a tinge of embarrassment.While Clara's authority was acknowledged by all, she was not the ultimate
Old Ms. Mimi's actions seemed contradictory to those observing the situation. Just moments ago, she had seemingly orchestrated Ethan's exclusion from the future prospects in Los Angeles's influential circles. Now, she was inviting him to stay for lunch, causing confusion among the onlookers. Clara, however, recognized the shrewdness behind Old Ms. Mimi's maneuvers and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her cunning tactics. It wasn't merely a matter of using a carrot and stick approach; Old Ms. Mimi's motives ran deeper. By allowing Ethan to partake in the birthday banquet, she was asserting her dominance and simultaneously cutting off his potential future paths due to his altercation with her grandson. As Ethan was still legally the son-in-law of the Reynolds, Old Ms. Mimi upheld the family ties and insisted that he adhere to the tradition by staying for the banquet. Ethan, acknowledging the situation, complied and took a seat at the table alongside Maya, Alexander,
Andrew's face instantly turned pale, his heart sinking like a stone in water. However, all the banquet guests were staring at him, their eyes fixed on his every move, especially the captivating Clara who stood right beside him, her gaze unwavering."I can't panic, I can't let them notice anything amiss," Andrew thought to himself. With a tremendous effort, he mustered a strained smile and replied, "Haha, thank you, Mr. Hewitt. I've always valued our relationship and look forward to continuing our successful cooperation. In fact, I've already prepared the renewal fee for this round. It's a substantial sum of one million dollars!"As Andrew spoke into the phone, the voice on the other end delivered a crushing blow. "I'm sorry, Mr. McDonald, but our company has dispatched a representative from the headquarters to assume control of taxi's operations in Los Angeles. We no longer require the services of a general agent like yourself."Despite the devastating news, Andrew maintained his faca
After hearing the words of Ms. Julia and Sophie, the guests, who had been tense and nervous moments before, noticeably began to relax. It was intriguing how the affluent offspring had been pampered and privileged since youth. The idea of one of them willingly becoming a live-in son-in-law for three years seemed almost unbelievable. The decision to retain Andrew as the general agent seemed unrelated to Ethan in everyone's eyes. Perhaps it was mere chance that Ethan happened to be the one making the call, adopting an authoritative tone. Or maybe Ethan had been privy to the news prior to the call. Nevertheless, Andrew's professional future hung in the balance, an undeniable reality etched in stone. A subtle wink from Ms. Julia to Klein conveyed a silent message, prompting him to swiftly grasp the red roses gifted by Andrew and make his way over. "Andrew, take back these red roses. My sister's preferences have shifted, and the scent of red roses no longer appeals to her," Klein remar
Giovanni’s smile faltered instantly. "Not for my son? Mr. Garrett, aren’t you here for my son’s wedding?" Giovanni asked, his voice tinged with embarrassment. Ryan offered a polite smile. "Of course, I’m here for the wedding. I’ve prepared a monetary gift for your son and handed it over to the reception staff. If you’d like, you can verify it with them, Mr. West." Giovanni quickly waved his hands. "Oh no, Mr. Garrett, please don’t misunderstand. I would never focus on such a thing. It’s already a tremendous honor to have you here celebrating with us. The fact that you’ve brought a gift is far too generous." Giovanni, knowing Ryan’s considerable wealth, assumed the monetary gift was substantial—likely no less than $15,000. Eager to seize the moment, Giovanni called over Tony and Maya. "Tony, Maya, come here and greet Mr. Garrett!" Tony approached with a wide grin, extending both hands for a handshake. "It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Garrett. I’ve heard so much about you—you’
Tony had always been someone who valued his pride above all else. Within his social circle of wealthy heirs, he was known for his ostentatious displays of affluence and his tendency to flaunt his status at every opportunity.Today was supposed to be his crowning moment—a grand wedding to the so-called "most beautiful woman in Los Angeles," Maya. The only imperfection in his otherwise perfect narrative was the fact that Maya was a divorcee. Still, Tony had planned to overshadow that blemish by turning Ethan, her ex-husband, into a public spectacle of humiliation during the ceremony. But fate had other plans. Instead of Ethan being humiliated, Tony now found himself in the very position he had reserved for Ethan—embarrassed and stripped of his dignity. Bowing down, kneeling, and pouring a drink to Ethan as a sign of deference? The mere thought churned Tony's stomach. He simply couldn’t lower himself that way. "Is this some kind of elaborate ruse?" Tony wondered bitterly. In his mind
For the past three years, Klein had made it a habit to ridicule Ethan whenever their paths crossed. He had insulted him countless times and even gone as far as sending henchmen to rough him up over a dispute involving Alexander. Ethan's decision to attend Maya's wedding and reveal his true identity was clearly calculated—it was his moment for revenge. Knowing this, Klein, who was never particularly close to Maya, had no intention of staying behind to face Ethan's wrath. He seized the opportunity to leave immediately. After carefully placing Old Ms. Mimi in the backseat of the Audi Q7, Klein barked at the chauffeur, "Drive to the hospital! And hurry!" Before the vehicle could even start, Old Ms. Mimi let out a loud, startling wail. "Ah!" Her sudden outburst shocked Klein, sending a shiver down his spine. "Mom, are you alright?" he asked anxiously. "You scared me half to death! I thought you fainted because of that punk Ethan." Relief washed over him as he realized she w
"Hello, I’m Ethan Sinclair," he said with a composed yet commanding tone. Stepping out of the $1.8 million white Maybach, Ethan, dressed in a pristine white suit, exuded an aura of elegance and confidence. All eyes were on him, filled with admiration and awe. To the crowd, Ethan appeared every bit the noble and refined figure—a real-life fairytale prince. Giovanni, who had never met Ethan before, was quick to approach him, his excitement evident. Grasping Ethan’s hand firmly, he said, "Welcome, Mr. Sinclair. It’s an incredible honor for my son and me to have you grace this occasion!" Marissa, equally stunned, chimed in, "Mr. Sinclair, I must say, I didn’t expect you to be so young and strikingly handsome!" Ethan’s gaze shifted to Marissa, and with a polite smile, he replied, "You must be Mrs. West. The pleasure is mine. Your radiance truly lives up to your reputation." Giovanni smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for the kind words. Yes, she’s my wife." Marissa, a woma
**At Old Ms. Reynold’s Villa** A procession of luxurious wedding cars rolled into the driveway, their sleek designs shimmering under the morning sun. Tony, momentarily distracted from the frustration of his failed investments, felt a surge of joy. Smiling, he eagerly headed out to welcome Maya. However, as he reached the first floor of the villa, he encountered Sophie before he could make his way to the bridal car. Though not a bridesmaid, Sophie had dressed to impress, wearing a stunning white gown that accentuated her elegance. Her flawless makeup and radiant smile made her almost as captivating as the bride herself. "Wow, Sophie," Tony said with a playful grin as his eyes swept over her. "You look so gorgeous today—I almost mistook you for my bride." His tone was lighthearted, but the compliment lingered in the air.Sophie casually twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers and smirked. "Please, my groom-to-be is none other than the esteemed president of Walt Disney Co
Tony should have been full of excitement, given that today marked one of the biggest days of his life. But the string of financial disasters had drained him, leaving him looking like a man burdened by decades of hardship rather than someone in his twenties.In addition to the failed investments, Tony had hemorrhaged money in other risky ventures throughout the week. Stock index futures, commodities, even high-stakes underground gambling—all had contributed to the rapid disappearance of his fortune.Beside him, a young man holding a best man’s corsage studied him with an expression of deep concern. “Tony, something isn’t adding up here. Did you cross someone powerful? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re being deliberately sabotaged. Even if you made a few bad choices, the odds of everything crashing down like this are practically zero.”Tony let out a hollow laugh and rubbed his dark-circled eyes. “You’re spot on. It’s no coincidence; someone’s playing me. This isn’t
Maya was genuinely taken aback, her expression reflecting surprise. "Miss Walport, I’m curious—why do you remember Ethan's birthday so clearly?"In her mind, Ethan was nothing more than Clara’s bodyguard, someone she didn’t expect Clara to take such a personal interest in. It seemed strange that she would remember such an insignificant detail about him.What Maya didn’t know, however, was that Clara had been keeping a close eye on Ethan for some time now. Given the way Clara felt about him, it was only natural that she would remember his birthday with such precision.Clara, sensing the confusion, calmly explained, "Well, it's actually a bit of a coincidence. Ethan’s birthday happens to fall on the same day as my father's. Also, I’ve seen Ethan’s ID at one point, so it just sort of stuck in my mind.""Mrs. West, Ethan is your ex-husband, and you were once in love, right? Don’t you think it’s a little thoughtless to plan your wedding on his birthday? Or perhaps you simply forgot that it
A week later, at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, the streets of Los Angeles were alive with the usual energy. People moved quickly under the scorching sun, some with sunglasses shielding their eyes, others carrying umbrellas to fend off the intense heat. But for Tony, sitting in his BMW, none of it mattered. His mind was consumed by a simmering frustration.Tony sat behind the wheel, gripping it tightly, his fingers tight with anger. He glanced at the phone pressed against his ear, his other hand twitching with impatience. Maya was supposed to be meeting him, but right now."What? Silverstone Enterprises is closing its doors too? Are you kidding me? How is that even possible when things were going so well?" Tony’s voice was sharp. He ran a hand through his hair, a mix of confusion and fury playing across his face.Silverstone Enterprises had been one of the top performers out of the 80 companies he had invested in. It was a golden opportunity, consistently making a strong profi
Ethan immediately picked up the phone and called Flint Michigan.“Uncle Flint, it’s been far too long since we last spoke! This is Ethan Sinclair. How have you been holding up? And how’s your health these days?” Ethan’s voice was warm and respectful as he greeted the legendary hotelier.Flint Michigan’s face lit up with joy on the other end of the line. “Ethan! What a pleasant surprise! It’s been ages since I last heard from you. Just yesterday, I had a video call with your grandfather, and he proudly showed me his newly planted jasmine flowers in the garden! He hasn’t lost his touch with horticulture, that’s for sure.”“I’m doing quite well, actually. I’m taking some much-needed time off in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and relaxing. But enough about me—how about you? Your grandfather told me you’ve wrapped up your duties as a live-in son-in-law for your Ancestral system tasks and that you’re gearing up for a grand entrance into the business world. Sounds like big plans are on the horiz