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The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 16: Face-Slapping the Betrayers
The grand ballroom of the Crescent Hotel shimmered under crystal chandeliers. Soft classical music floated through the air as the city’s elite mingled over glasses of vintage champagne.Business moguls. Politicians. Celebrities.This wasn’t just a charity gala—it was a battlefield where reputations were cemented, alliances were forged, and social ranks were ruthlessly determined.Jasmine stood beside Daniel Whitmore, a man she had once thought was her ticket to power and prestige. The man she had abandoned Ethan for.Daniel had everything she had wanted—money, influence, and charm—or so she had believed.But ever since Ethan Hale was revealed as the true CEO of Sterling Enterprises, something had shifted. The once-assured Daniel seemed tense. Uneasy. And Jasmine?She felt a growing sense of dread.She needed tonight to prove that leaving Ethan had been the right choice.The evening progressed as expected. Daniel basked in attention, smirking as powerful men greeted him with handshakes
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 17: Secrets from the Syndicate
The financial world was in turmoil.Banks froze assets overnight. CEO resignations piled up like dominos. High-ranking officials in law enforcement, business, and government were suddenly vanishing into obscurity—some by resignation, others by force.For years, the Phantom Syndicate had been dismissed as an urban myth, a whispered legend among the city’s elite. A nameless power that moved industries, crushed rivals, and dictated economies from the shadows.No one knew who controlled it.No one had ever seen its leader.Until now.In a private conference room, illuminated only by the moonlight filtering through a wall of glass, a group of powerful men and women sat in tense silence.The air was thick with tension, the weight of the moment pressing down like an executioner’s blade.These were not ordinary businesspeople. They were the untouchables—billionaires, crime lords, and corporate moguls who had built their empires in the shadows.At the head of the long, polished table stood Eth
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 18: New Admirers
The world had finally taken notice of Ethan Hale.Once dismissed as a worthless son-in-law, mocked and cast aside, he now stood at the peak of power. Every move he made carried an undeniable weight, and those who had once scorned him now found themselves drawn to his mysterious aura.The shift was undeniable.Some men spent their entire lives climbing the corporate ladder, clawing for wealth and influence. Ethan had done it in mere months, and nobody could ignore him anymore.Especially not women.The annual Armand Charity Gala—one of the most exclusive events in the city. A place where elites gathered, fortunes were discussed, and alliances were forged under the dim glow of chandeliers.Tonight, Ethan Hale arrived.A sleek black suit, tailored to perfection. Not a single strand of his hair out of place. He moved with a quiet dominance, his every step exuding the confidence of a man who had nothing to prove—yet commanded absolute respect.Eyes turned. Conversations halted.“Who is he?
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 19: Mending Old Ties
Ethan stood at the towering gates of the Hale Estate, the place he had once called home.It had been years since he walked away from this life, choosing instead to disappear into the shadows, to build his empire his way.But now?Now, he was back.The guards at the entrance stiffened, gripping their weapons. They weren’t used to unannounced visitors."State your business," one of them barked.Ethan said nothing. He simply took a step forward, his piercing gaze locking onto the man’s eyes.The guard faltered.Recognition dawned."M-Mr. Hale?"Ethan tilted his head. "Open the gates."A second of hesitation—then the gates groaned open, metal grinding against metal.The moment he stepped inside, whispers spread like wildfire.The lost son had returned.Ethan barely made it up the grand staircase before the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the halls.And then—"You’ve returned."The voice was aged yet strong, carrying the weight of authority.William Hale, the true patriarch of th
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 19(Extended): Mending Old Ties
The grand Hale Estate had once been Ethan’s home, a symbol of power and legacy. But tonight, it was a battleground.The moment Ethan stepped through those gates, he had felt it—a shift in the air, an unseen enemy watching. His instincts, sharpened over years of survival and deception, warned him that danger lurked nearby.And then the shot came.A bullet whizzed past his head, embedding itself into the marble pillar beside him.Sniper.Ethan reacted instantly, diving behind cover as the guards scrambled, weapons drawn. But he knew this wasn’t just any assassin. This was personal. The precision, the timing, the sheer audacity of an attack on Hale territory—it meant one thing.There was a traitor among them.William Hale, his grandfather, barely had time to process what had happened before Ethan was already moving."Secure the estate," Ethan ordered the guards. His voice was calm, but the storm brewing in his eyes was anything but. "No one leaves. No one enters."Victor Hale, his uncle,
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 20: Martial Arts Display
The envelope was black, sealed with an insignia Ethan hadn’t seen in years. A silver raven—Damian Cross’s personal mark.Ethan leaned against his desk, reading the invitation for the underground fighting arena. The Obsidian Coliseum. A battleground where only the most powerful warriors dared to step into the ring."Come prove yourself," the letter read.Damian’s words echoed in his mind. “Or are the whispers about the ‘God of War’ just myths?”Ethan smirked. He didn’t need to prove anything. But if Damian had personally invited him, it meant something bigger was at play.Information. Power. Enemies.And Ethan was never one to turn down a challenge.The arena was unlike anything above ground. Hidden beneath an abandoned corporate tower, it was a world where the wealthy elite, crime syndicates, and military officials gathered, sipping on expensive whiskey as blood was spilled for entertainment.Dim lighting, neon signs flickering overhead, and the scent of sweat, metal, and adrenaline f
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 21: Defeating a Major Rival
The morning after Ethan’s legendary fight at the Obsidian Coliseum, the business world buzzed with a different kind of battle. Sterling Industries, the corporate empire led by Victor Langford, had been tightening its grip on the market, systematically crushing the Hale family’s businesses for years. For too long, Victor had believed Ethan to be nothing more than a disgraced son-in-law—a weak, easy target. He had orchestrated hostile takeovers, sabotaged deals, and bribed officials, all in an attempt to erase the Hale name from the industry. But the man Victor had dismissed as a failure was back. And this time, Ethan wasn’t just here to compete. He was here to destroy. Langford Tower. The headquarters of Sterling Industries. The boardroom was filled with high-ranking executives, their laughter echoing off the glass walls as they toasted their latest success. A massive screen displayed the headline: STERLING INDUSTRIES ACQUIRES HALE CORPORATION’S REMAINING ASSETS. Victor Langf
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 22: A New Business Empire
Ethan didn’t just reclaim his family’s legacy—he obliterated the competition.Sterling Industries had been a fortress, untouchable for years. But now, it was his.With meticulous precision, Ethan restructured the entire corporation, merging it with his network of shadow investments, real estate holdings, and cutting-edge tech startups.Within weeks, he announced the formation of Titan Holdings.The business world erupted.News outlets hailed him as a visionary. Investors rushed to buy in.Titan Holdings wasn’t just a company. It was an empire—a fusion of elite medical research, AI-driven security firms, high-end real estate, and next-gen defense contracts.Within a month, its market value skyrocketed.Jasmine’s once-thriving company, Aurora Ventures, which had been secretly backed by Ethan for years, suddenly found itself struggling.Because Titan Holdings had surpassed it overnight.And for the first time… she noticed him.Jasmine sat in her high-rise office, her manicured fingers gr
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Chapter 39 Extended: A Final Romantic Standoff
The ballroom had transformed into a battlefield. Screams rang out. Chairs overturned. The scent of blood and gunpowder mingled with the fading fragrance of expensive perfume. Guests scrambled toward the exits, shoving past one another in their desperate bid to escape. Ethan barely registered the chaos. His world had narrowed—his instincts sharp as a blade. The second shot had been fired. And he had moved. Jasmine was still standing. He wasn’t. Pain lanced through his ribs, burning white-hot. The bullet had hit. Ethan stumbled, his vision blurring for a fraction of a second. His muscles screamed in protest, but he refused to fall. Not now. Not yet. The shooter was still there. Watching. Waiting. Ethan wasn’t about to give him a second chance. The gunman was good—too good. Dressed in a sleek black suit, blending seamlessly into the panicked crowd, he had already begun his retreat. His movements were calculated, precise—a professional. Who sent him? Ethan gritted his teet
Chapter 39: A Final Romantic Standoff
The Celeste Hotel’s grand ballroom glittered with wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, while murmurs of high society mingled with the soft notes of a grand piano. Tonight was supposed to be a charity gala, an evening of sophistication and generosity.But for Jasmine, it was a battlefield.She wasn’t here for charity. She was here for him.She had spent weeks preparing for this moment. The perfect dress—a crimson masterpiece that hugged her figure just right. The perfect smile—one that masked her turmoil. The perfect confidence—an illusion she was barely holding together.Because tonight, she would see the man she had thrown away.Jasmine saw Ethan the moment he walked in.He didn’t just enter the ballroom—he owned it.Tall, poised, and exuding effortless power, he was no longer the man she once dismissed. No longer the silent, forgotten son-in-law living under the mercy of her family.No.This was Ethan Hale—the man the world now feared and admired.A
Chapter 38: The War Begins
The storm had been brewing for too long. Now, it was time to unleash it.Ethan stood at the head of the war table, his expression cold, his mind razor-sharp. Around him, his most trusted allies exchanged glances, feeling the weight of the night ahead.Sebastian Wolfe, his second-in-command, studied the blueprint one last time. “We’ll breach from the west entrance. The security’s weaker there, but we need to move fast before Grimm’s reinforcements arrive.”Victoria Steele, Ethan’s tech expert, tapped furiously on her laptop. “I’ll jam their surveillance feeds and disrupt their communication lines. But once we’re inside, you’ll be in a dead zone—no backup, no tech support.”Leon Kai, the mercenary strategist, leaned forward, pointing to an underground passage. “I’ll take my unit through the east tunnel. If anything goes wrong, we’ll flank Grimm from behind.”Aisha Ren, the assassin, twirled a dagger between her fingers. “Leave the high-ranking guards to me.” Her smile was as sharp as th
Chapter 37: The Mastermind’s Fury
Ethan Hale’s steps were slow, measured, as he walked out of Lin Enterprises for what he thought would be the last time. The scent of ink and paper still lingered on his fingertips from the documents he had signed—the final nail in the coffin of Charles Lin’s empire.He exhaled, loosening his tie.His phone buzzed.A single text flashed across the screen:“You’ve gone too far. You should have stayed in the shadows where you belong.”Ethan’s brow arched.A slow smirk curled on his lips. So, the real mastermind finally decides to show their hand.Before he could even process it—BOOM!A thunderous explosion erupted behind him. The shockwave slammed into his back, sending him staggering forward.Flames. Smoke. Screams.The entire Lin Enterprises headquarters was consumed by fire. Glass shattered. Steel bent and groaned as the structure collapsed in on itself.Ethan turned, his sharp eyes scanning the wreckage.This wasn’t about money. This wasn’t just retaliation.They had tried to kill h
Chapter 36: Seeking Retribution
The once-mighty Lin Enterprises lay in ruins. Its stock value had plummeted, its major investors had fled, and the boardroom that once commanded fear now reeked of desperation.At the heart of this catastrophe sat Charles Lin, alone in his dimly lit office, his trembling fingers wrapped around a glass of whiskey.Just hours ago, he had been at the pinnacle of his career, celebrating another business conquest.Now?He was finished.The betrayal had been swift, merciless. The company he had spent decades building—gone. And the man responsible?Ethan Hale.The same useless son-in-law Charles had mocked, humiliated, and discarded like trash.His grip tightened around the glass, anger boiling beneath his skin. He had underestimated Ethan. Everyone had.A knock on the door made him flinch.Before he could respond, the door swung open.And there he was.Ethan Hale.Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, his presence exuded raw power. His dark gaze swept across the room, cold and unrel
Chapter 35: Revealing The True Identity
The air inside the Lin Enterprises boardroom was thick with tension. Every seat at the long, polished table was filled—executives, shareholders, and family members—all gathered in a frantic attempt to salvage what was left. At the head of the table, Thomas Lin—Jasmine’s father and the once-mighty patriarch of the Lin family—sat with bloodshot eyes, his hands balled into fists. They were bleeding. No, they were drowning. Ethan Hale’s hostile takeover had been swift and merciless. Overnight, the family had lost controlling shares in their own company. And now, they were scrambling. "We still have a chance," one of the executives said, shifting in his chair. "If we act fast, we can buy back shares from minority stakeholders. Some of them are old partners—they wouldn’t want to see the Lins lose everything." Jasmine, sitting beside her father, gripped the edge of the table. "Exactly. We just need to convince them that the Lins are still strong." Her father slammed a fist again
Chapter 34: The Final Betrayal Uncovered
The weight of betrayal sat heavy in Ethan Hale’s chest, but his expression remained impassive. His fingers drummed a steady rhythm against the polished mahogany desk as he read through the classified report spread before him. The words were mere ink on paper, but the truth they contained burned through him like fire. Jasmine’s family hadn’t just looked down on him. They had conspired against him from the very beginning. A low, humorless chuckle escaped his lips. He had suspected treachery, but the sheer depth of their deception? Almost laughable. The Report Revealed Everything: The Lin family had deliberately orchestrated his downfall, ensuring he remained powerless while married to Jasmine. They had sabotaged job opportunities that could have elevated him beyond their control. They had secretly used his intelligence, his strategies, his ideas to amass their wealth—while ensuring he stayed in the shadows. Worst of all? They had always planned to discard him from the start. Ja
Chapter 33: Another Beauty Falls for Him
Ethan Hale rarely indulged in moments of reflection, but standing at the edge of the rooftop, his gaze sweeping over the glittering skyline, he allowed himself one fleeting thought.He had won.Every man in that room behind him, the same people who once dismissed him, now either feared him or wanted to ally with him. Every corporation that once looked down on him now scrambled to do business with Hale Enterprises.And yet—something still felt unfinished.The sound of clicking heels disrupted his thoughts.He didn’t need to turn around to know someone was approaching. The air shifted, the scent of expensive perfume curling into his space. He took a slow sip of his drink, waiting.A sultry voice finally broke the silence."Mr. Hale."Ethan turned, his expression unreadable as his eyes landed on Victoria Langley.She was a woman who never played second to anyone. Heiress to Langley Financial Group, sharp, ruthless, and utterly untouchable. Men tripped over themselves for her attention, o
Chapter 32(Extended): Redemption and Regret
Ethan Hale rarely hesitated. Hesitation was for the weak.But as he stood frozen, gripping the dead phone in his hand, something dark coiled inside him.Jasmine's scream still rang in his ears.A crash. A thud. Then—silence.Victor Lang, who had been lounging casually just moments ago, straightened. “What the hell was that?”Ethan didn’t answer immediately. His mind was already working at high speed—analyzing, calculating.Jasmine had called him out of desperation.Which meant—she had no one else.The last time she had called, it had been to mock him. To gloat about how she was moving on.And now?She was begging.His lips curled slightly. I should let her rot.But something was off.The sound of that struggle… It wasn’t staged.And Ethan had seen enough death to recognize the fear in her voice.“Trace the call,” he ordered.Victor blinked. “What?”“You heard me.” Ethan’s voice was sharp. Deadly.Victor sighed but pulled out his tablet. “I’ll have the tech team track it. But Ethan, co