The Substitute Son-in-law's Revenge

Managing Divorce

In a luxurious mansion, at a long dining table, several people were sitting elegantly. The shiny gold-colored table was filled with various dishes with wine and mineral water. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Tonight was the night of the Celeste family's regular once-a-month gathering.

The clothes they wore looked branded. Even the women wore a lot of dazzling jewelry with different hairstyles. Their laughter sounded cheerful as conversation after conversation was exchanged, making the atmosphere even more lively.

However, among them, there was one man who just kept his head down, enjoying his food quietly. He was Ethan Aldebaron, the husband of Ariana Julia, the first child and grandchild in Celeste's family.

His figure, sitting at the end, made him look even smaller. Especially because his clothes were very different from the others. The look was more simple and cheap. However, his facial features could not hide his good looks and refinement.

"Grandmother, I just won a big tender. And to celebrate, I bought you a limited edition jade bracelet." Aiden Iram Celeste, Ariana's first brother, thrust the beautifully carved wooden jewelry box in front of his grandmother, Great Mistress Celeste, Giana. "Look, the colors are so pretty. You'll look even more radiant when you wear it."

Great Mistress Celeste laughed until the wrinkles on her face became more visible. She waved her hand, asking them to bring the box closer to her. Upon seeing it, her eyes lit up, and she put it on. "It's marvelous! I've never seen such a beautiful bracelet. The color and texture are amazing."

Then she looked at Aiden adoringly. "You're very respectful. Grandmother likes it."

"I expected that. Grandma can't possibly dislike my gift," Aiden replied with his chin up proudly.

"Are you the only one who can buy Grandma presents? I have one, too." Alvina Hana Celeste, Ariana's second sister and the youngest child in the family, replied loudly. Everyone looked at her curiously, and she asked the servant to bring her gifts with a confident face and then distributed them to each person, including Ethan.

"The slimming product I just released was a huge success. Within two hours, there were one million orders placed. This is a small part of my profit today. I hope you like it," Alvina said, looking at everyone with a big smile while playing with her pink diamond necklace in a coquettish motion.

Everyone began to open their respective boxes. Ariana, who was next to Ethan, glanced at him, and when she saw that he was still focused on his food, she chuckled. "Are you going to keep eating like a pig? Alvina is distributing gifts. Open it and take a look! Don't disappoint her!"

Instantly, Ethan's movements stopped. He put down his cutlery slowly and took a slow breath, then picked up the gift box in front of him and opened it.

A luxury watch was immediately visible.

For a moment, Ethan could only stare silently at the object without caring about the excitement around him.

It wasn't the first time he had experienced it, but the discomfort in his heart was still palpable.

"Wow, a necklace! Mom, look at my necklace! It's beautiful, right? Alvina is the best. She really knows what I like and spoils me with it," said Bernita Khaya, Mrs. Celeste held up her pearl necklace high, making it sparkle. It was obvious that it had a fantastic price tag.

Her face, with its expensive make-up, looked very bright with a wide smile. "I will wear it."

"It's beautiful. It was not in vain that you spoiled her. She has grown up to be a dutiful girl who loves her family," Great Mistress Celeste praised.

Of course, her words made Madame Celeste's smile even bigger. "All my children are very good. You've seen it for yourself, Ma."

Great Mistress Celeste nodded in agreement, making the beautiful strands on her hairpin sway. Her gaze fell on her grandchildren from her first child. "Yes. You are very lucky to have them as children."

"By the way, Noah, how's your company doing? I heard you just partnered with the Pulse Apparel company. Is that true?" In the midst of the excitement, the Great Lord Celeste, Fillmore Celeste, suddenly asked Noah Ferdinand, the husband of Ariana's cousin.

Pulse Apparel Group was a large company ranked 7th in the top ten most influential companies. The owners were the Solstice family—a family known as the most arrogant and haughty people in Starlight City. 

Although many disliked them, no one dared to be blunt in making them an enemy. At least people would pretend to smile when dealing with them. In addition to their tremendous influence in the business world, their family was also very cunning. They can easily twist the facts and pressure opponents into becoming perpetrators, like the case one year ago.

Working with people like this is like walking on glass. If you are not careful, everything will be ruined, and that person will get hurt.

Hearing that Elite Fashion, a company far below Celeste's family, had successfully cooperated with them was certainly an exciting hot topic.

It is no wonder that all eyes are now on Noah with praise. Even his wife, Felice, began to cling to his arm. "My husband worked really hard to get that partnership. He never gave up, even if it cost him much time and effort. To be honest, Solstice is nothing like the rumors. They were very kind and even welcomed my husband with open arms. Perhaps they know that my husband is a good person and full of talent."

"Honey, what are you talking about? Don't say any more nonsense. You're embarrassing me," Noah said, glancing at Mr. Celeste reluctantly.

Suddenly, Mr. Fillmore laughed. "You're a talented young man who makes the family proud, why be embarrassed when your wife praises you? She's very proud of you. You deserve to be my grandson-in-law."

"It would be an honor for me if you said that." Noah straightened up and bowed to the Grand Master, showing proper respect. "But in my opinion, all the son-in-law here are equally worthy. We are very grateful to be well received in this family."

"All the sons-in-law? Does that mean including Ethan?" Amanda, Ariana's other cousin, suddenly chimed in. Despite her innocent appearance and questionable words, everyone knew it was an obvious form of sarcasm.

Instantly, everyone's gaze fell on Ethan, who was still staring at Alvina's gift.

Seeing that, Felice smiled sarcastically. "Stop staring at it, you won't lose it. It's yours, so you can take it wherever you go."

"Ah, but you should just keep it well; don't wear it because you don't deserve to wear such an expensive item at all," she continued as she picked up the wine glass and sipped it haughtily.

"That's right," Ellie, Aiden's wife, laughed mockingly. "I'm afraid you'll end up in the police station for stealing it."

"Sis, why are you talking like that?" Alvina replied angrily. Then she looked at Ethan compassionately. "You don't have to listen to what she says. I gave it to you, so you're free to wear it."

But a moment later, she turned away and chuckled. "But that's if you're prepared to take the risk."

Instantly, the laughter of the younger generation broke out. They continued to make fun of Ethan without caring about his feelings.

His wife, Arina, just kept quiet and continued to enjoy her drink elegantly, as if what they said and who they laughed at had nothing to do with her.

In his place, Ethan smiled faintly, then picked up the watch and fiddled with it as he said, "I am the Celeste family's son-in-law, and everyone already knows it. So, why should I be arrested for wearing an expensive watch?"

Then he put it on and showed it to everyone silently. "Thank you for the gift. I'll wear it in honor of Alvina."

"Damn! This bastard!" Lady Celeste felt angry at his shameless behavior. But then she exhaled harshly. "Ah, never mind. He's just so poor that he doesn't know any better. Forget it! Just think of him as someone who's lost his mind."

Everyone heard her words, making the laughter that had died down break out again. Ethan looked at them silently, then replied, "Thank you for the compliment, ma'am."

Mr. Celeste, Albern Brant frowned and snapped, "Ethan, are you stupid? Even if you didn't go to school properly, you should still be able to think properly. You can't possibly be this stupid, right?"

"Mom is angry, I just don't want to upset her even more," Ethan replied calmly. "Because that will only harm her health."

Instantly, Mrs. Bernita, who had turned her face away, stared at him. "Are you cursing me? How dare you say that with your stupid face? Damn son-in-law! Who do you think you are, huh?"

Ethan was about to reply to her words again, but Ariana pinched his thigh under the table firmly, making him clench his lips and look at her with a look of confusion in his eyes.

However, Ariana, the perpetrator, was casually fiddling with her wine glass as if she had done nothing.

"Brother Ethan, even though this marriage happened because of an incident, can't you try harder to make my sister happy? She's beautiful, talented, and has a good background. You have the advantage here. You've gained a lot, but my sister, she can only bear the shame of you and your parasite family." Aiden spoke in all seriousness, adding spice to make the atmosphere even more heated, and everyone backed Ethan into a corner, as usual.

He couldn't believe Ethan would survive after facing something like this for three years.

Whenever he saw him, he felt ashamed to acknowledge him as his brother-in-law. What a tarnish on his family's good name.

If he had known this, he would have been the most outspoken person against this ridiculous agreement. It didn't matter, even if he had to bear the loss of a canceled business marriage. At least the embarrassment his family received would not be this severe.

Grand Master Celeste gave Ethan a sharp look. Then he straightened up and said firmly. "It's been three years, but nothing has changed. I've had enough of seeing him with my beautiful granddaughter. Time is up. You should get a divorce!"

At first, he thought of trying to accept it and wait until he proved himself. At least until he really deserved to be called part of Celeste's family. But seeing him continue like this, he really couldn't take it anymore.

Suddenly, Ethan turned his head in surprise.

"I'll take care of it right away, Dad. You just take it easy. I'll go see my father-in-law right now. This time, even if I lose all of his inheritance, I don't care. Even if I have to exchange my life, I'll do it as long as the divorce happens." Without giving anyone else a chance to speak, Mr. Albern had already stood up.

He hurriedly straightened his suit and bowed respectfully to his parents before walking quickly away from the dining table. Of course, that made Madam Bernita got up in a hurry and chased after him.