The Insurmountable Rise Of Ethan Watson

CHAPTER 1

Extravagant decorations beautified the Graham family mansion with crystal chandeliers illuminating its features and giving it that warm and classy look.

The wedding anniversary of Eric and Claire Graham, the parents of Melissa Graham was today and the family had gone all out to throw a party for them, inviting guests from only the top echelon of the city.

Tonight was the party and they were the center of attraction seated on the sizable stage that had been mounted in the living room.

There was a ton of dancing and eating and then it was time to gift the couple, so all the family members gathered around them.

"Mom, I see the way you watch the game of tennis keenly. I couldn't find a better gift for you except this crystal tennis bracelet worth $50,000, and it is one out of only 5 in the world." Melissa said with a look of endearment as she handed her the gift.

"..and dad, because of your love for playing dart games, I bought you this dart made of solid gold worth $70,000." Eric grinned widely as Melissa placed the gift box in his hands"

"I can't believe you got the party started without me", Henry surprised everyone with his presence as he had informed them that he wouldn't be able to make it to the party.

Delighted, everybody moved to welcome him and he announced, "I got Dad and Mom, two customized Mercedes Maybach Exelero worth $18 million because they've done priceless things for me and I owe my success all to them".

The guests gasped in shock and applauded Henry for going all out for his parents.

Everyone including strangers brought expensive gifts to impress the high-class couple, so they could fall in their good graces. The couple smiled from ear to ear at the expensive gifts they were receiving.

It was the turn of Ethan, Melissa's husband to give them a gift and their smiles faded quickly. Before Ethan could speak, Claire asked, "What could this pauper possibly afford as a worthy gift for us?"

Everyone burst into a fit of laughter at her mockery but Ethan didn't budge. He was used to this type of treatment from his in-laws so he proceeded to present his gift.

"I got a heart-shaped necklace for the couple to signify their love, long-lasting togetherness, and understanding. Dad can have one piece and mom can have the other, to signify that they complete each other"

After his speech, the whole aura went silent, and you could even hear a pin drop before everybody burst into hysteria.

"How long did you have to penny-pinch from your nonexistent job before you could afford this piece of trash?" Eric questioned mockingly while some guests were still trying to stifle their laughter.

"How dare you show up here to spoil our day or belittle us in front of our guests? It would've been better if you assisted the waiters in serving the guests as that's where you belong", Claire stood up, yelling and pointing at Ethan.

"Melissa, get this worthless piece of trash out of here. He can't even take care of his responsibilities as a man and husband, how would he afford to give decent gifts", Henry added smugly.

Melissa moved to give a befitting reply to her elder brother, Henry but Ethan held her back. He didn't want to be the cause of a fight between brother and sister.

Soon enough, the guests started murmuring,

"Look at how he's dressed for an auspicious ceremony like this one. If it was my celebration, I would've ordered the security not to allow such a person to cross my threshold"

"I hear Melissa is the breadwinner in their little family. She even buys him his underwear and clothes"

"Such a useless man. I can never allow my daughter to associate with a peasant like him"

"Melissa deserves a better man, she should divorce him and start her life afresh".

Ethan and Melissa had been dating for two years before they got married. Their marriage was blessed by Melissa's grandfather who passed on a year after their wedding.

The Graham family has since encouraged Melissa to get a divorce from him so she could marry a man who can take care of her and is worthy of being called their son-in-law, but she has been adamant and insists on staying with Ethan.

Just then, Jason Miller comes into the party and Eric and Claire's eyes light up as they welcome him heartily.

Jason Miller hands them a key and declares "To my future in-laws, I just purchased a vacation home worth $20 million at the upper hills of Beryl City"

Eric turned to Ethan and said, "That, Ethan, is how you surprise your in-laws"

Jason smirked at Ethan and went over to Melissa to exchange pleasantries but she walked out on him showing no interest in whatever he was proposing.

Ethan's eyes were red, his fists were clenched until his knuckles turned white. He wanted to break Jason's arms and legs so he wouldn't have the nerve to belittle him in front of his in-laws ever again.

But deep down, Ethan knew they were right. Melissa deserved all the love and the finest things in life but he couldn't even afford to buy her a proper ring.

He had been a pauper for as long as he could remember. His foster parents couldn't afford his college education so he went on to bag a scholarship just to complete his education. It got worse when his foster parents died in an accident a year before they could see him finish college. He believed Melissa was his only companion left in the world so he cherished and loved her so much.

Suddenly, Eric spoke up, "I'm getting bored and need some entertainment. I'd love to try out my new dart on a board, it's been long I played so my skills might be rusty"

The waiters brought in a board upon hearing Eric's announcement and he tried hitting the bull's-eye with his new dart and he did so effortlessly.

The guests and family members clapped and cheered him on, then he decided to make the game more interesting, "I need a volunteer to place an apple on his head and stand in front of the board".

David, Melissa's cousin, suggested loudly, "Ethan can do it. After all, he gave the least impressive gift and almost spoiled the celebration, this is the least he could do to lighten your mood"

"You're right. Ethan, come over here and stand in front of the board. Place the apple on your head while you're at it", Eric commanded sternly.

Ethan's eyes almost fell out of its sockets in shock but he also needed to impress his father-in-law by being bold so he did it regardless of how fast his heart was beating.

As he was about to close his eyes to say his silent prayers hoping that this wasn't his last day on earth, he caught a glimpse of Melissa running upstairs with tears in her eyes and he hated seeing her cry but he needed to do this.

Eric successfully threw the dart hitting the apple above Ethan's head and Ethan thanked his stars that Eric didn't miss his target.

While the guests laughed at Ethan and applauded Eric, Ethan ran upstairs to check on Melissa.