2024-11-12 19:41:38
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 3: Rumors of the Mysterious CEO
Jasmine stood in her boutique, holding a glossy magazine that featured the latest exposé on the city’s most mysterious figure: the CEO of Zenith Holdings. Known for his unmatched business acumen, the man behind Zenith had taken the industry by storm, amassing unimaginable wealth and power. Yet, he was a ghost—no one had seen him, no one even knew his name. And that mystery only seemed to amplify Jasmine’s admiration.“I can only imagine what it would be like to work under someone so brilliant,” she murmured to her assistant, glancing at the article with an almost dreamy expression. “To be mentored by him…or even meet him.” She laughed softly, the faintest hint of longing in her eyes.Ethan, who had been in the back storage room rearranging stock, overheard her words and felt an odd pang. The man she was unknowingly speaking about, the man she idolized so openly, was him. He was the mysterious CEO of Zenith Holdings, her silent supporter in every venture. He couldn’t reveal his identit
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 4: The Disastrous Anniversary
Ethan had planned the anniversary meticulously, hoping against hope that perhaps this would be the moment when Jasmine would see him differently. After years of enduring her scorn, he wanted to give her an evening that would rekindle the warmth that once existed between them. He had arranged an intimate dinner at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, where they would be surrounded by soft candlelight, live piano music, and a breathtaking view overlooking the skyline. He had spent weeks planning, selecting a custom bouquet of her favorite lilies, and even having a necklace crafted with an opal pendant, something he knew she’d always admired. This was his way of reaching out, trying to remind her that beneath the image of a “useless husband” lay a man who still cared, even if she’d long since forgotten. As he dressed that evening, Ethan allowed himself a small glimmer of hope. Tonight, he thought, might just be different. However, as they arrived at the restaurant, the hopefu
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 5: A Friend in the Shadows
As Ethan wandered through the city streets, the cool night air seemed to sharpen his thoughts, clearing the haze of humiliation he had endured. Tonight had been the breaking point; he could no longer continue this life as a shadow, a man disregarded and humiliated by his own wife and her friends. For years, he had buried his true identity to fulfill his promise to Jasmine, hoping she might one day see the man he was beneath the surface. But that hope had finally crumbled, leaving only a resolve to rediscover himself.Just as he was about to turn back towards his apartment, his phone buzzed. He glanced down, surprised to see a message from an unknown number:“Long time, Ethan. Meet me at The Raven’s Den.”The Raven’s Den. The name stirred something deep within him. It was an upscale, private club known only to an elite few, nestled in the shadows of the city. It was a place where those of wealth, influence, and power gathered discreetly, far removed from the eyes of the public. Ethan h
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 6: Humiliation at the Family Gathering
Ethan found himself at yet another family gathering at Jasmine’s parents' home, a spacious mansion filled with polished wood, crystal chandeliers, and tasteful art meant to showcase the family’s wealth and influence. For years, these gatherings had been a steady source of torment—a stage for Jasmine’s family to belittle and mock him. Tonight would be no different. As he entered the lavish dining room, he could feel the eyes of Jasmine’s relatives land on him with that familiar mixture of disdain and amusement. Jasmine’s mother, Marjorie Lillian, eyed him with thinly veiled contempt, while her father, Edward, barely acknowledged his presence, as though Ethan were an unfortunate byproduct of his daughter’s marriage. The evening progressed as usual, with Ethan quietly enduring the pointed remarks and haughty stares. He kept his responses short, sitting in silence as he was frequently excluded from conversations. Every now and then, Jasmine would cast him a look of annoyance, as if his
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 7: The Silent Protector
In the wake of the disastrous family gathering, Ethan kept his distance from Jasmine and her family, quietly slipping back into the role of an unnoticed shadow in their lives. But he hadn’t completely severed his connection; despite everything, a part of him still felt compelled to protect Jasmine, even if she never understood his actions.A few weeks after that humiliating dinner, Ethan discovered something alarming while reviewing one of his many business portfolios: Jasmine’s family was on the verge of a financial disaster. Her father, Edward, had made a series of risky investments, and the market downturn had put every asset he owned at risk. They were losing money by the day, their luxurious lifestyle hanging by a thread. One wrong move, one missed payment, and everything they had worked for would collapse.Ethan could easily have allowed their empire to crumble, to let them taste the bitterness of failure without his silent support. But something held him back. He knew what it f
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 8: Jasmine’s Rising Admiration for the CEO
In recent weeks, Jasmine’s fascination with her company’s mysterious CEO had grown into an unshakable obsession. Though she had never seen him in person, the allure of his powerful, enigmatic presence and his unparalleled business acumen fueled her curiosity. This CEO—whom she only knew as "Mr. Black"—had single-handedly saved her family’s business from collapse, pulling them from the brink with a precision and influence she couldn’t help but admire.Every day at work, she heard tales of his ruthlessness in the boardroom, his skill in making decisive deals, and the unwavering loyalty he commanded from his associates. Jasmine found herself mesmerized by these stories, imagining what it would be like to work closely with a man so driven, so powerful, and so... unlike her husband, Ethan.The more she admired this mysterious figure, the more glaring Ethan’s shortcomings appeared. She couldn’t understand why she had settled for someone who seemed to lack any ambition, any hunger for succes
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 9: Confrontation with the Brother-in-Law
Ethan knew his wife’s family didn’t think highly of him, but Caleb—Jasmine’s younger brother—was a constant thorn. Caleb’s arrogance knew no bounds; he took every opportunity to belittle Ethan, boasting about his own “accomplishments” and never missing a chance to remind Ethan of his “lowly” status. Caleb’s disdain ran even deeper since the family’s business had recently been saved by the mysterious CEO, whom Caleb idolized, never suspecting the man he looked down on was the one responsible.One evening, the family gathered for another of Marjorie’s infamous dinners. Caleb, having had one too many drinks, was in rare form, mocking Ethan at every turn, snickering at his simple attire and making backhanded comments about his lack of career success.“I honestly don’t understand why my sister hasn’t thrown you out yet,” Caleb sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re useless, Ethan. A dead weight. It’s pathetic how you just cling to us like a parasite.”Ethan clenched his fists b
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 10: The Secret of the Pregnancy
Ethan had noticed Jasmine acting strangely in recent weeks. She was more withdrawn, her mood swinging unpredictably between bouts of nervous excitement and irritable silence. He assumed it was the stress from work or the ongoing tension between them, but a quiet suspicion started to gnaw at him.One evening, as they sat across from each other in the living room, Jasmine finally broke the silence, her expression unreadable. “Ethan, I have something to tell you,” she said, her voice trembling just enough for him to notice.Ethan leaned forward, a spark of hope flickering inside him. Maybe this was a turning point, a chance for them to connect, to bridge the gap that had grown so vast. “What is it?” he asked softly, doing his best to sound encouraging.Jasmine took a deep breath. “I’m… I’m pregnant.”The words hung in the air, and Ethan felt his heart skip a beat. He’d always wanted to be a father, even if their marriage was rocky, he had hoped that perhaps this child could bring them cl
Latest Chapter
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
Chapter 32: Redemption and Regret
Jasmine Lin had spent her life believing she was untouchable.She had wealth, status, and the kind of beauty that made men trip over themselves.But none of that mattered anymore.She sat in her office, gripping a pen so tightly her knuckles turned white. Outside, the city skyline glittered, oblivious to the destruction of the empire she once commanded.Her company—the legacy she had sworn to uphold—was gone.And the man responsible?Ethan Hale.The same man she had humiliated. The same man she had discarded like trash.She had laughed in his face once, telling him he was useless.Now, his name was everywhere.✔ The most powerful investors now followed his every move.✔ The media hailed him as a financial genius.✔ CEOs who had once ignored him were now desperate for his attention.And Jasmine?She had lost everything.Her phone buzzed. Her assistant, Lydia, burst in, her face pale.“Ms. Lin… The acquisition deal is finalized.”Jasmine’s stomach lurched. “No. That’s not possible.”Lyd
Chapter 31: The God of War’s Return
The world had underestimated Ethan Hale.For years, they had called him weak, useless, a failure.Now, they whispered his name in fear.His empire had grown too powerful, his enemies too restless.The Revenant had vanished after Eric’s downfall, but in its place, a new alliance emerged—one deadlier than before.✔ Five elite martial arts clans had sent their strongest warriors, trained in secret techniques lost to time.✔ A legendary grandmaster had declared Ethan unworthy of his bloodline and vowed to erase him.✔ The remnants of The Revenant had gathered, convinced that sheer numbers would finally bring him down.They wanted to break him.Instead, Ethan decided to remind the world who he really was.The underground coliseum was overflowing—crime lords, billionaires, corrupt officials, and assassins-for-hire, all gathered for one reason.To witness the fall of Ethan Hale.A golden chandelier flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows over the bloodstained ring. The walls were lined wit
Chapter 30: Building His Own Kingdom
Ethan Hale didn’t just rise—he dominated. The night he ended Eric Lancaster’s betrayal, something shifted inside him. The past no longer mattered. Every betrayal, every slight—all of it fueled him. Revenge alone wasn’t enough. He would own this city. “Give me the reports,” Ethan ordered as he stepped into his private office—a sprawling space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline. Jace, ever efficient, slid a folder across the desk. “Three major corporations are on the chopping block. If we strike now, we can absorb them before Victor’s people react.” Ethan scanned the documents. Real estate. Pharmaceuticals. Tech. His lips curled. “Buy them out. If they resist—break them.” Damien, lounging in a chair with a whiskey glass, smirked. “I like this version of you.” Ethan didn’t look up. “This is who I’ve always been.” Within weeks, the world shifted. ✔ Three major corporations absorbed under Drayton Industries. ✔ Rival CEOs crushed before they could mount a coun
Chapter 29: The Ultimate Betrayer Exposed
Ethan sat in the dimly lit warehouse, his fingers drumming against the cold steel table. Across from him, Damien leaned back in his chair, flipping a dagger between his fingers.Jace stood near the window, scanning the city skyline with a deep frown. “Victor’s moving too fast. Every time we hit one of his locations, he’s already emptied it.”Ethan nodded. He’d sensed it, too.Someone was feeding Victor information. Someone inside his own circle.Damien let out a low chuckle. “Wouldn’t be the first time your own people sold you out.”Ethan’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t take the bait. Instead, he turned to Damien’s informant, a wiry man named Felix who had just arrived, breathless and shaken.Felix swallowed hard. “I found your leak.”Ethan’s fingers stilled. “Who?”Felix hesitated. “Eric Lancaster.”Silence.Jace’s jaw clenched. “You’re sure?”Felix nodded. “He met with someone last night. A man they call ‘The Revenant.’”Damien sat up, interest flickering in his eyes. “The Revenant?
