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The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO 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
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO 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
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 1: The Silent Son-in-Law
Ethan adjusted the collar of his worn-out shirt as he walked through the bustling market, his mind already bracing for the stinging words waiting for him at home. Today was their anniversary, yet he anticipated no warmth from Jasmine. Though once kind-hearted and lively, his wife had grown cold, resentful even, believing she’d settled for a man who offered her nothing.As he approached their modest apartment, Ethan glanced over his shoulder to the sleek black car parked down the street. His discreet security team waited there, always watching over him, ready to act on his signal. They were his silent companions, just like him, concealing his true identity and role. To the outside world—and even to Jasmine—Ethan was merely a lowly employee, without fortune or influence.Inside, Jasmine barely looked up as he entered. Instead, she was engrossed in a conversation on the phone, chatting with her mother about the latest expansion of her boutique—a business she believed she had built on her
The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO Chapter 2: A Secret Benevolence
Ethan watched quietly from the back of Jasmine’s boutique as she worked tirelessly, oblivious to the subtle support that had propelled her business forward. She moved with confidence, overseeing the arrangement of new merchandise, talking to her staff, and monitoring every detail as though this empire she was building was solely the result of her own ambition and grit.But beneath the surface of her growing success was Ethan's invisible hand, orchestrating connections, cutting through bureaucratic red tape, and lining up opportunities she would never know about. Jasmine’s business had been on the brink of collapse countless times, but Ethan had intervened each time, ensuring she’d remain on a winning streak.He received updates on her financial health weekly through a private network of accountants and consultants he’d hired to watch over her business. They operated with such discretion that not even Jasmine suspected that her husband—the “useless” man she barely tolerated—was, in fac
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
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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
