Mark, the Professional

Chapter 10 Mr. Lawrence’s Birthday Party

In Manchester, Tommy Smith was known as someone powerful and just by hearing or mentioning his name, people would be frightened. Yet, right now, he was making an apology humbly in public. Kate’s employees were surely impressed.

“Apology accepted,” Kate said casually and the two shook hands.

As soon as Kate walked Tommy out of the gate, the smile on her face changed to a stern look. She glanced at Mark and said sharply, “Come with me.”

“Sure, honey.” Mark kept his usual cheeky smile on.

The staff watched them walk into the lift, murmuring. They were surprised to find out that Mark was the type that their boss liked.

Back in her office, Kate stood by the table and looked at Mark with her arms crossed. “Now, tell me. Who the hell are you?”

“Why? I’ve told you. I’m just a normal guy except that I’m jobless and penniless. You know that.” Mark sat himself down on the couch and said matter-of-factly.

“Liar!” Kate snapped. She heaved a sign, calmed down a bit and then said, “Alright, I did try to find out about your past, but I couldn’t. How can a normal guy get Tommy Smith to apologize to me? Mark Jackson, I’m not as naïve as you think I am.”

“I definitely don’t you think you naïve. My beautiful wife is the smartest and most successful woman in England!” Mark jumped up and went up to Kate with a grin.

Seeing his cheeky grin, Kate was reminded again that it was impossible to get a genuine answer from Mark. She gave up.

“Here.” She took out an envelope from the drawer and handed it to Mark. “It’s grandpa’s birthday tomorrow. You are going.”

“Perfect. But we are going together right?” Mark grinned.

“Hmm, even if I don’t mind attending the party with you, do you think mum will be happy to see us together?” Kate shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t forget that you still owe her a bracelet that’s worth ten thousand pounds. A real one!”

Mark had pretty much forgotten about it. He rubbed his head, feeling awkward. “Aha. I see. I will be there.”  

At the party

“Hmm, it looks like the security guards aren’t doing their job properly. How could they let someone like you in?” A girl in an expensive red dress stood in front of Mark, looking him up and down with disdain. “Where did you steal the invitation from?” She said it aloud. The guests around heard and frowned at them.

Seeing that it was Alice Lawrence, the daughter of Marcus Lawrence who was the eldest son of senior Mr. Lawrence, people naturally believed what she said and looked at Mark suspiciously.

Mark replied proudly, “As a matter of fact, I got it from my lovely wife.” He said aloud and clearly.

“Your wife?” Alice then remembered the news about Kate’s surprise marriage.

Marcus Lawrence had a daughter and a son, and Nate Lawrence had a son, but amongst all the grandchildren, Kate was the most successful, and thus most envied by her cousins.

Uncle Matt Lawrence is useless, but why is his daughter so successful? Alice thought, feeling annoyed.

“Aha, so you are the guy that married my cousin Kate!” Alice said and looked Mark up and down again before she commented mockingly, “Isn’t my cousin Kate giving you enough money? You should at least wear something more decent for the party.” 

Judy and Kate had just walked in to hear Alice’s comment. Judy glared at both of them angrily, thinking He’s just so embarrassing!

Kate wasn’t pleased with all, but she simply gave Alice a cold glance and said nothing. Mark couldn’t care less. He went up to Kate, held her hand and walked away.

Just then, senior Mr. John Lawrence walked in slowly, a cane in his hand. Though he looked old, he was walking steadily. Marcus Lawrence, the oldest son, was next to him and he had offered to help hold his arm but was rejected.

John Lawrence went up to the stage, sat down and spoke with a content smile. “Thank you, everyone, for coming to my party today. It’s a great pleasure to have you all here. Today, I would like to take this chance and make an announcement. I’d like to congratulate my beautiful granddaughter Kate. She’s got married just recently and here’s her husband, Mark Jackson.”

John looked at Kate and Mark standing next to each other and smiled happily.

“Why?!” Judy shouted angrily. Everyone went silent and stared at Judy in shock.

“Our Kate is such a wonderful girl. There are countless men waiting to marry her. She deserves someone way better than Mark Jackson! Why did you marry her to this guy?! Why?” Judy continued. Normally, she would not dare to say no to her father-in-law. However, since she married into the Lawrence’s, or to be exact, to Matt Lawrence, she realized that Matt wasn’t going to guarantee her a better life as his two older brothers were much more excellent than him. And her daughter, Kate, was her only chance to make a change.

She was determined to bring an end to her daughter and Mark’s marriage.

“Judy, my dear mother-in-law, I promise you that I will make Kate happy.” Mark cut in. He noticed that senior Mr. Lawrence actually quite liked him.

“How? You aren’t able to!” Judy retorted.

Annoyed, John Lawrence snapped, “Behave yourself!” and he gave Matt a warning glare. Matt nodded, grabbed Judy’s arm and dragged her away nervously.

“Honey, you look absolutely stunning tonight!” Mark said with a grin. He felt much more relaxed now that his annoying mother-in-law was gone.

“Do you mean absolutely disgraceful?” Someone responded from behind Kate. His voice sounded familiar. Kate turned around to see Tony Jones glaring at her. She was holding her glass of wine tight, taking a deep breath and trying not to get mad.

No one had ever dared insult her in public.

With a sneer, Mark retorted, “Are you asking for another beating, Mr. Jones?” Tony recalled the punch from Mark last time and he retreated a step backward, but then he remembered that he wasn’t here alone today, so he lifted his chin up and said, “I will get you arrested for what you did to me last time.”

“What did I do to you? I don’t remember doing anything to you, Mr. Jones.”

Tony had checked the surveillance camera in the parking lot the next day after he got beaten up by Mark, but there wasn’t any record at all. He was furious.

“Asshole! I’m going to kill you!” He yelled at Mark angrily and raised his arm up, intending to punch Mark.