Mark, the Professional

Chapter 11 He Asked For It

“It’s Mr. Lawrence's birthday party. Shouldn’t you show some respect?” Mark caught Tony’s arm instantly and said calmly, but confidently. He looked polite and kind, but he was holding Tony’s arm firmly. It was hurting badly.

“f**k! Let go! Let go of me!” Tony screamed and everyone turned to look at them.

Scott Jones, Tony’s uncle interfered immediately, sensing that something had gone wrong. “Take it easy, young man. Violence isn’t the way to solve problems.”

Others nodded in agreement, murmuring, pointing the finger at Mark, thinking that he was disrespectful and a barbarian. However, Mark couldn’t care less how others thought of him.

“If you don’t apologize to my wife today, you are not leaving here alive.” He said plainly.

“Ahhh.” Tony screamed in pain and gave in immediately, “Katie, Kate, I’m…”

“Ms. Kate Jackson.” Mark corrected him.

“Ms. Kate Jackson, I’m sorry.” Tony obeyed.

“You don’t sound apologetic at all. Be sincere.” Mark demanded and gripped Tony’s arm even harder.

Tony cried out loud. “No! Stop! I’m really sorry. I mean it. I will never ever utter a word of disrespect to you anymore, Ms. Kate Jackson. Please forgive me.” He pleaded.

As Tony’s uncle, Scott felt rather embarrassed and ashamed hearing Tony plead so pathetically. I wish he could be a bit tougher. He thought.

Kate watched Mark quietly. She couldn’t help noticing that she was actually moved by him for what he was doing for her. Though he was jobless and penniless, he did make sure that no harm would come to her.

“Fine. Let go of him. We don’t want to spoil grandpa’s party.” Said Kate.

“Alright.” Mark smiled at Kate and released Tony’s arm.

Tony stumbled and collapsed onto a chair behind him, looking defeated and in pain.

“Tony, are you alright?” Alice bent over Tony, looking concerned. Then, she glared at Mark and said angrily, “You are awful!” 

Ah, what a pretentious cunt! Mark thought but said nothing. He gave her a disdainful look.

Scott joined in, “What you did is utterly unacceptable! I thought the Lawrence is a respectable family, but you are Matt Lawrence’s son-in-law and your behavior is such a disgrace. You have hurt my nephew badly.”

Kate looked at Mark worriedly, thinking that he might have got himself into trouble because of her. At the same time, Mark held Kate’s hand as if he had guessed her thoughts and assured her that everything was fine.

“Oh, have I?” Mark retorted skeptically. “Mr. Tony Jones, let’s have a look at your poor arm. Is it hurt?” He asked in an ironic tone. Through the years of practicing with Jack Jackson, the invincible fighter, and from his fighting experience, Mark had learned very well how to make someone feel pain, but not actually hurt them, as well as many other skills.

Tony looked at his arm and frowned. He was shocked to see that there wasn’t even any marking left on his arm! He stared in disbelief.

“You were screaming so pathetically just then. Why? Mr. Tony Jones, you look absolutely fine.” Mark mocked. “Were you just faking it? Come on, be a man.”

Tony clenched his fists tight in anger. “Damn it!” He cursed.

“Alice, I’m so disappointed. You are Kate’s cousin after all, but you only care about the guy who’s insulted your cousin. I find it rather difficult to comprehend.” Mark heaved a sigh deliberately as if he was truly disappointed.

The crowd was watching and commenting the whole time. Scott Jones looked around and felt even more embarrassed. “You did hurt Tony and everyone saw it.” He snapped. “I wonder how this would affect the relationship between the Jones Corporation and the Lawrence Corporation.” He turned to look at Marcus and Nate Lawrence, the president and vice-president of the Lawrence Corporation, intending to threaten him.

“Well, Mark Jackson doesn’t work for our family company. It shouldn’t affect business between the two companies at all.” Nate Lawrence defended quickly.

“Right. And Mark Jackson is my brother, Matt’s son-in-law, not mine. I shouldn’t really interfere.” Marcus added.

It was obvious that the Lawrence brothers did not really get along well. In fact, they were competing with each other for the family business and property after all.

“Mark Jackson, what have you done again?!” Just then, Judy came back, following her husband, and, pointing a finger at Mark, she questioned him angrily.

Kate knitted her brows at her mother. “Mum, it isn’t his fault.” She held her arm and said softly.

“Matt Lawrence, what are you going to do about it?” Scott Jones asked sternly.

“Well, I, uh… I…” Matt stuttered nervously.

“Wait, wait, Mr. Lawrence.” Mark interrupted, “There’s nothing you need to do about it at all. Tony Jones is totally fine and even if I did break his arm today, that’s because he asked for it. He shouldn’t have insulted my wife.”

Matt had never been so assertive and he was too shocked by Mark’s response to know how to react.

Offended and embarrassed, Scott cursed, “Damn it! Alright, I’ve learned what the Lawrence is like! I doubt if we can still cooperate.” He turned to Tony and said, “Tony, let’s get out of here!” 

After Scott and Tony left, Marcus frowned at Matt and said with concern, “Matt, you should have been more cautious. I don’t know what kind of loss this will cause...”

“I…” Matt was terribly worried. What has he done to me?! Why have I a got such a stupid and arrogant son-in-law? He thought.