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
Sophie's attractive figure was credited to her diet and not her genetics. Every time he dined with Sophie, Ethan noticed she enjoyed eating foods that were said to enhance certain physical features, like papaya. Ethan glanced at Sophie's already stunning figure and remarked, "You probably don't need any more papaya, do you?" Sophie was immediately incensed and got up, moving closer to Ethan. Standing there, she seemed almost towering over him. When Ethan met her gaze, he felt like he was staring at majestic peaks... Sophie demanded angrily, "Ethan, what did you mean by that just now? Why shouldn't I eat papaya anymore?" As Sophie was Ethan's cousin-in-law, he couldn't be too direct in his response. Ethan replied, "Never mind, just forget about it. I'll bring the soup over to you. You can enjoy it on your own." After Ethan took the initiative to bring the soup to Sophie, she remained discontent. She approached Old Ms. Mimi's table and voiced her complaints. "Grandma, please do
Ethan, the sole witness present, was privy to the fact that the person who dispatched the deliveryman with the gift was Richard Jose. It was evident that only the Sinclair family possessed the audacity to entrust a delivery person with an item valued at 1 million dollars. The arrival of this gift at the event left all the guests in a state of astonishment. "This emerald jadeite bracelet stands out as the most extravagant among today's birthday offerings!" "Ms. Julia, to whom do we owe the pleasure of such a generous gift? You must make introductions later." The guests approached Old Ms. Mimi seeking answers. Even she was perplexed, unable to fathom the source of the 1 million dollar gift. "This is puzzling. Every family associated with the Reynolds is accounted for today. No one seems to have been overlooked. So, who could have sent this bracelet?" The members of the Reynolds family exchanged uncertain glances. Sophie's gaze lingered on the million-dollar bracelet, her curiosit
Examining the global dissolution document, Ethan let out a deep breath of release. It seemed as though the weight of his bottled-up emotions and dissatisfaction from the preceding three years had lifted."At last, I'm free from the confines of being a resident son-in-law."Stepping out of the legal consultant's workplace, Ethan found himself overcome by a mix of feelings.His upcoming venture would involve delving into the world of business, requiring his full dedication and focus!In that instant, Maya sneered, "Oh, you're not a live-in son-in-law anymore, but an abandoned one! That's even more humiliating than being a live-in son-in-law!""An abandoned son-in-law.""A live-in son-in-law whose wife left him?""Feel free to interpret it however you like!"Ethan chose not to engage further with the pragmatic woman whose love for money overshadowed everything else. He waved for a cab nonchalantly and departed.Maya, consumed by indignation despite being in the wrong, believed she hadn't
Tony and Maya were completely taken aback by what they saw. The sight before them was beyond their wildest imagination. The man they had once cast aside as their son-in-law was now comfortably settled in a luxurious five-star hotel. The opulence and grandeur of the place seemed almost surreal to them. The price tag for a single night's stay in this lavish establishment was an exorbitant sum, well over a thousand dollars. Tony couldn't help but voice his disbelief, turning to Maya with a look of incredulity. "Maya, are you absolutely certain that he's only had a few hundred dollars to his name all this time?" Tony questioned, his tone a mixture of confusion and suspicion. "Could it be possible that he has been hiding a substantial amount of money from us all along, squirreling it away behind your back over the past three years?" Maya shook her head in bewilderment and replied, "I really don't know... it's possible that he did." Tony, deep in thought, pursed his lips and mused
After Clara finished her cigarette, she gracefully rose from her seat and bid farewell to the Reynolds. "Old Ms. Mimi, Mr. Reynolds, I have some matters to attend to at the office, so I must take my leave," Clara announced. Old Ms. Mimi and the others accompanied Clara to the door. "Miss Walport, we are placing our trust in you for the investment," Old Ms. Mimi expressed warmly as she clasped Clara's hand. Clara responded with a smile, "You can count on me. Rest assured." Observing Clara's departure, James decided it was time to bid his own farewell. "Old Ms. Mimi, Mr. Reynolds, we should make our way as well," he announced. As the guests realized a thief was in their midst and the mysterious benefactor who gifted the bracelet remained absent, they gradually dispersed, heading their separate ways. Before long, the Reynolds found themselves alone in the banquet hall. Old Ms. Mimi turned to Ms. Julia with a questioning gaze. "What did Maya say? How is it that we only uncovered hi
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