Kneel and Call Me Dad
1115 Words
When Ethan finished speaking, the noisy scene fell into a brief silence.
Then, mocking laughter echoed throughout the hall.
Dozens of teasing eyes turned toward him, accompanied by a wave of sarcastic and nasty remarks.
“I heard this guy surnamed Cole is the Bennett family’s live-in son-in-law. How much money could he possibly have?”
“He’s just pretending. Otherwise, where would he put his manly pride?”
“What’s the use of talking big? When he can’t come up with the money later, he’ll still end up humiliated.”
Ryan sneered coldly and said with ridicule,
“Mr. Ethan, this isn’t a small amount. Before you learn to play the hero, you’d better weigh how much you actually have in your pockets—otherwise, you’ll lose all face when you can’t settle it later.”
Lionel crossed his arms, arrogance written all over his face.
“This gentleman is right. My patience is running out. If you can’t pay, I’ll have our legal department file a lawsuit immediately. When that happens, your Bennett family won’t be able to show their faces in Los Angeles again.”
At those words, Chloe and Yvonne both turned pale.
Chloe had struggled for years in the pharmaceutical industry to reach her current position—was everything she’d built going to crumble today?
“Stop making a scene,” Chloe said again. “This isn’t something you can solve. It’s my problem—it has nothing to do with you.”
Ethan smiled as if he hadn’t heard the mocking voices around him.
“You’re my wife. How could it have nothing to do with me? However much you owe him, I’ll cover it.”
For some reason, when he said this, a powerful aura radiated from him, leaving Chloe momentarily stunned.
Without thinking, she blurted out,
“Eight million.”
But the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it.
What good was an aura? When he couldn’t produce the money, they’d still face Lionel’s lawsuit.
Would everything she’d worked for really be ruined by this useless husband?
At that moment, Ethan took a bank card from his wallet and handed it to Lionel.
“Since you came to collect payment, you must have a card reader with you, right?”
“Hmph, no need to trouble yourself,” Lionel snorted.
He hadn’t expected Ethan to actually produce a card. His lecherous intentions toward Chloe were instantly set aside as he irritably handed the card to the accountant who had come with him.
But Ryan jumped forward, glaring at Ethan.
“What an act. You think you can fool us with one lousy card? When it doesn’t go through, are you going to say your account’s frozen or something? I’ve seen this trick before! Chloe marrying a loser like you is the tragedy of her life!”
Ethan turned a cold gaze on him.
“What if my card does go through for eight million?”
Ryan smirked.
“If that card really has eight million, I’ll kneel and call you Dad! But if not, you’ll be the one kneeling and calling me Dad!”
In his mind, Ryan should have been the one shining today—but since Ethan had stolen the spotlight, he didn’t bother keeping up appearances and instead threw down the cruel bet.
He’d already investigated Ethan thoroughly—this guy couldn’t even scrape together eighty thousand, let alone eight million!
He was determined to expose Ethan’s bluff and watch him fall flat on his face.
“President Lionel,” the accountant whispered into Lionel’s ear after a moment.
Ryan folded his arms, waiting to laugh.
But Lionel’s expression suddenly shifted to surprise. He looked Ethan up and down, then returned the bank card with a forced smile.
“It seems Mr. Ethan is a very straightforward man. I hope we can cooperate again in the future.”
Ryan’s face went pale.
Chloe and everyone else stared in disbelief.
Could it be… the card really had eight million in it?
“Heh, I don’t do business with people who bully others,” Ethan replied icily.
Lionel chuckled awkwardly. He had no reason to curry favor with Ethan, but the moment the transaction went through, he realized something:
Ordinary cards had transaction limits in the low millions. The fact that Ethan’s card could process eight million in one go meant he must hold a very high banking clearance—someone of major standing. Lionel instantly regretted crossing him.
Still, after mocking Chloe earlier and showing no respect to Ethan, rebuilding that bridge wouldn’t be easy.
After putting the card away, Ethan ignored Lionel and turned lightly toward Ryan.
Ryan’s face was ashen; he was ready to flee, but when their eyes met, he froze.
“W-What do you want?” he stammered.
“Mr. Ryan, have you forgotten our little wager just now?”
“I…” Ryan Chase faltered and glanced instinctively at Yvonne.
She was the only one who might help him suppress Ethan.
But Yvonne avoided his gaze. After all, it was Ethan who had paid the eight million—she had no reason to defend Ryan anymore.
Ryan clenched his fists. Just as everyone thought he was about to kneel, he suddenly changed his tone.
“Fine, I’ll kneel—but first, you should explain where that money came from! Even Bennett couldn’t come up with that kind of money. I have every reason to suspect you stole her assets!”
The accusation hit hard. The onlookers immediately shifted their focus back to Ethan.
He didn’t look like someone who could produce that much money. Could Ryan be right? Had he really embezzled Chloe’s funds?
“This money has nothing to do with me,” Chloe suddenly said, clearing Ethan’s name—but her next words reignited curiosity.
“But I’d like to know too—where did it come from?”
Ethan shrugged with a smile.
“My family’s old house was demolished recently. The compensation came through just a few days ago.”
He had already planned this story on the way over. Given his real bank balance, even the bank president treated him with respect. Once he gave the word, no one would be able to trace his true financial situation.
“How could that be?!”
Ryan blurted out, furious and panicked.
“He couldn’t even get a loan—how could this happen?”
He muttered under his breath, but Ethan and Chloe were close enough to hear.
They both turned their heads toward him in unison.
“How do you know I couldn’t get a loan?” Chloe asked, narrowing her eyes.
- Writer
