My beautiful wife is a rich lady

Ethan's life after marriage had not changed much. Olivia still went to work every day, appeared in the office as usual, discussed projects with him, and had dinner together after work. However, certain details gradually emerged, like a thin veil, faintly revealing something more.

He began to notice that Olivia could always contact industry bigwigs in the shortest time possible. During negotiations, her confidence and ease were not just due to experience but seemed to stem from an intrinsic understanding of the entire business ecosystem. Her knowledge of high-end brands and luxury goods was extraordinary, and she was even well-versed in many hidden rules of the industry.

One time, they attended a friend's wedding together. During the banquet, a real estate tycoon unexpectedly came over to greet Olivia.

"Miss Olivia, long time no see. I didn't expect to see you here."

At that moment, Ethan noticed a subtle shift in the expressions of those around them.

Olivia gave a faint smile and raised her glass. "It's been a while, Mr. Zhang."

The once domineering tycoon in the business world suddenly adopted a respectful and even slightly deferential attitude.

"I've been following your collaboration with Huayao. You've done an excellent job."

"Thank you for the compliment," Olivia nodded slightly and gestured with her glass.

Throughout the entire exchange, Ethan remained silent, merely observing. A sense of doubt began to rise within him, but he refrained from questioning her.

Such encounters became more frequent. Each time, Olivia would handle them with effortless composure, while Ethan increasingly realized that her identity was far more complex than he had imagined.

One evening, Ethan accidentally caught a glimpse of Olivia's bank account. The long string of staggering numbers left him momentarily speechless.

"You... come from a wealthy family?" he tentatively asked.

Olivia was silent for a moment before gently closing her laptop.

"Do you want to know about my family?" She lifted her gaze to Ethan, her eyes deep and unreadable.

Ethan nodded.

Olivia sighed softly and said, "My father is one of the founders of Huayao Group, my mother is the head of a renowned jewelry brand, and my brother is the current president of Huayao."

Ethan was stunned.

Huayao Group was a dominant force in the industry, and her family... was not just wealthy but belonged to the elite, standing at the pinnacle of power and influence.

"So, you were... from the beginning?"

Olivia nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

"But at the company... you never mentioned it."

"I wanted to work based on my own abilities, not my family's background. I didn't want people to think I relied on my lineage to get where I am."

Ethan remained silent for a long time, digesting this revelation.

He had believed he married someone like himself—a career-driven woman, working hard for her ambitions. But reality showed him that she never needed to struggle; she had already been born into a position he could hardly fathom.

——

One day, Olivia suggested bringing Ethan home to meet her parents.

"Do they know you're already married?" Ethan asked nervously.

"They do, but they haven't met you formally," Olivia's tone carried a hint of complexity.

Ethan had a vague feeling that this meeting would not be simple.

——

The Huayao family estate was located in a secluded part of the city, sprawling over an enormous area, resembling a private mansion rather than a residence. The architecture carried a European classical style—intricate carvings, elegant design—low-key yet exuding extravagance.

As Ethan stepped into the estate, he realized that the luxurious houses he had seen before paled in comparison to what lay before him.

The grand doors opened, and a distinguished-looking middle-aged woman walked toward them. She wore a well-tailored dark qipao, every movement exuding an air of nobility.

"Mother," Olivia smiled slightly, stepping forward to gently hold the woman's hand.

Ethan was taken aback.

This imposing woman was Olivia's mother?!

The woman's gaze landed on Ethan, sharp yet not overtly harsh.

"Is this your husband?"

"Yes." Olivia nodded.

The woman's eyes swept over Ethan before she finally nodded slightly.

"Welcome."

Though her words were polite, Ethan could sense that this did not equate to approval.

Soon, Olivia's father and brother appeared as well.

Her father was refined and composed, exuding the presence of a seasoned entrepreneur. Her brother, dressed in a sharp suit, was calm and perceptive, clearly a man who commanded authority.

Inside the dining hall, the servants arranged an exquisitely prepared meal. Everything seemed peaceful, yet the atmosphere was subtly tense.

"Ethan, what do you do for work?" Olivia's brother was the first to speak. His tone was mild, yet held a hint of probing.

"I work in data analysis at the company and am currently involved in a project with Huayao."

"Oh? So, you're working under Olivia?"

"You could say that," Ethan answered, feeling slightly pressured.

The man smiled faintly, his gaze unreadable.

"Olivia has always been outstanding. She has her own vision and doesn't like to be controlled."

Ethan nodded, unsure how to respond.

Then, Olivia's mother spoke. "You've been married for a year now, correct?"

"Yes."

"So, what are your plans for the future?"

Ethan hesitated slightly.

Plans for the future?

He had always thought that marriage was simply about two people living their lives together. But at this moment, he realized that this family would not allow their daughter to be merely 'a wife.'

——

The dinner dragged on, feeling suffocatingly long. Ethan gradually realized that he was stepping into a world that was both unfamiliar and intricate.

Just then, Olivia's father finally spoke.

"Ethan, I want you to join Huayao Group."

Ethan's pupils constricted, his heartbeat quickening.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, yet before he could respond, he felt the atmosphere at the dining table shift drastically. Olivia's brother put down his glass, looking at him with interest, while Olivia's mother remained composed, her emotions unreadable.

"Join Huayao?" Ethan subconsciously repeated, his voice slightly dry.

Olivia's father nodded, his gaze steady yet sharp. "Since Olivia has married you, you are not just her husband—you are now part of this family. You're already involved in a collaboration with Huayao, so why not officially join us? It would offer you a much broader future."

Ethan's fingers tightened slightly. He felt as though he was being drawn into an invisible chess game.

He stole a glance at Olivia and found that her expression had also turned complicated. It seemed… she hadn't been informed about this beforehand.

"I..." He had just begun to speak when her brother interrupted him with a light remark, "Of course, this is not just an invitation. It's an opportunity. You should think it over carefully."

Ethan's heart pounded heavily.

He finally realized that tonight's dinner was not merely a simple family introduction. It was a test—a game that would decide his future path.