Chapter 1 You're Just Holding Her Back

• "Charles, you need to divorce Whitney. You two simply aren't compatible. Right now, you're just holding her back. My father was completely out of his mind to let you move in as a live-in son-in-law; it was a mistake from the very beginning."
• Charles Draco had just walked through the door, clutching a plump old hen and a few bundles of fresh vegetables he'd haggled for at the market. Before he could even drop his bags, his father-in-law, Henry Chadwick, waddled over, cradling a teacup and launching into his familiar lecture.
• "Yeah, Dad, I take it someone sweet-talked you again," Charles replied, his brow furrowing.
• The rich scent of the tea filled the air, a far cry from the cheap brew he usually made in the morning.
• "Ha! You've got a sharp nose! This is top-quality Cloudwick tea, worth a small fortune! The flavor is unparalleled," Henry boasted, savoring every sip. Then, recalling something, his expression turned sour.
• "You know, there are plenty of wealthy young men who would love to be with Whitney. Not one of them is as pathetic as you. If she hadn't married you, we wouldn't have lost our standing with the Chadwicks and sunk so low that we can't even afford decent tea!"
• Charles bit his lip, feeling the weight of his father-in-law's words. "Dad, I really can't leave Whitney. If I do ... "
• Aside from the late patriarch of the Chadwicks, Alfred, no one knew the true reason behind his decision to marry into their family.
• They all viewed him as nothing more than a stay-at-home husband, a spineless loser who only cooked and cleaned.
• "If you do what? Threaten me? You useless good-for-nothing! Anyway, I've already promised Mr. Ziegler that he's coming over for lunch today! If you have any sense of shame, just stay out of the way." Henry insisted, refusing to back down.
• Charles shook his head in resignation. "Whitney is coming back soon. I'm going to make her some chicken soup."
• "Useless! You're still thinking about making chicken soup at a time like this! Let me tell you, Whitney is already tired of the soup you make! I've been helping her drink it these past few days—she just doesn't want to hurt your feelings by telling you!"
• "What? Oh no!" Charles exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
• Whitney had a unique constitution; if she didn't take care of herself, she might not make it to 25. That was why he cooked a pot of comforting chicken soup for her every day to improve her health.
• I guess I'll need to see Whitney drink it myself to feel at ease! I'll tweak the recipe and change the flavors to make it more enticing.
• Just as he began simmering the soup and getting ready for lunch, he heard raised voices coming from outside the door.
• "Kennedy! Why do you always follow me? I won't let you into my house!"
• "Whitney ... your dad invited me over for lunch."
• The sound of the door creaking open announced Whitney's arrival.
• Peeking outside, Charles spotted a young man standing in the doorway.
• He looked handsome, dressed in an expensive Armani suit, custom-made Hermès shoes, and wearing a prestigious watch—it was clear he was wealthy.
• "Dad! Why would you—"
• Before Whitney could finish her sentence, Henry, who had been sipping his tea, immediately set his cup down and hurried to the door.
• "Mr. Ziegler! Welcome! I've been eagerly waiting for you!"
• "Mr. Chadwick, I hope the tea I sent you this morning was to your liking," Kennedy Ziegler said while stepping inside without a hint of hesitation, treating Charles as though he were merely a cook.
• "Absolutely! That tea was exceptional. No wonder my mother enjoys it every day. Life is certainly different for the wealthy!" Henry replied, his grin stretching from ear to ear, his expression blooming with delight. Whitney began to grasp the situation.
• "Dad, how could you just accept gifts from him and invite me over for lunch without asking me?" Whitney demanded, her displeasure evident.
• "Oh, come on! Mr. Ziegler isn't a stranger. What's the big deal about having lunch with him? Besides, I'm just doing what's best for our family," Henry replied, his tone hinting at something more.
• Kennedy added with a smile, "Exactly! Whitney, I heard that your company has been facing some challenges, so I came to offer my assistance!"
• "Right, if you can help, then you'd be our family's savior! Treating you to lunch is the least we can do! Oh, don't just stand there—come on in and sit down!" Henry said cheerfully, looking at Kennedy as if he were his real son-in-law.
• "Whitney, I can't believe you didn't tell me about such a significant issue! If your dad hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known. Don't worry; once I speak with my dad, everything will be sorted out," Kennedy said, his smile unwavering, but his gaze fixed on Whitney, revealing his underlying greed and desire. It was clear what his intentions were.