Mark, the Professional

Chapter 16 Mark’s Request

“Hahaha.” Alice burst out laughing. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. You? You will take responsibility?” She mocked. And then, she added rather seriously, “However, now that you say so, you ARE responsible for it. It’s true. And if you don’t sort it out, you and Uncle Matt are to blame then.” 

Mark nodded casually. Again, he couldn’t care less about what Alice or others said. “I’m a man of my word.” He said plainly.

Bang!

Judy slammed the table hard. “Shut up!” She shouted at Mark. “You don’t have a say here at all.” Then she turned to look at senior Mr. Lawrence and said, “It was you that married our Kate to this guy. Matt and I have never agreed to it. Now he’s caused trouble. It shouldn’t have anything to do with Matt or me.” Her voice was quivering. “I want them to divorce!”

Kate knitted her brows on hearing so. She disliked Mark from the very beginning, especially knowing that he was penniless and jobless. She thought if he was willing to work hard and change, then she might accept him. However, she found him only disappointing and a troublemaker.

It was only yesterday when he promised that he would get her a spokesperson and now he was acting arrogant again, promising to take responsibility. She didn’t trust him.

However, she did think that it was partly her fault as Mark did anger Tony Jones for the sake of defending her. She heaved a sign and said calmly, “Mum, please don’t get mad.” She gave her mum a hug to calm her down. Then she went over to her grandpa and said, “Grandpa, I’m partly to blame after all and I’m willing to help fix it.”

Mark was rather surprised to hear that Kate was standing up for him. He was grateful, yet, he didn’t want Kate to get involved and he was confident that he could sort it out himself.

“No worries, Kate. I can take care of it.” He assured her. He didn’t mind how others thought of him, but he didn’t want his partner to worry. It was a matter of dignity for him.

Kate looked at him for a while and then sat back down quietly. I shall see what he will do then.

Senior Mr. Lawrence looked at Mark into his eyes, his gaze sharp and clear, as if he could see through him. Mark held his gaze calmly. He had been through lots of unimaginable difficulties and near-death experiences in his life. He felt no fear.

Seeing that Mark wasn’t scared of his challenging stare at all, senior Mr. Lawrence was impressed, thinking that Jack Jackson did have a good disciple. However, he still had his doubts. He’s surely a brave one, yet it doesn’t mean that he’s competent. He thought.

“It’s easier said than done. How are you going to take responsibility?” He asked. He probably hasn’t realized whom he is dealing with. The Jones Corporation was after all the most successful in the country.

“I will get you the land,” Mark answered, holding Mr. Lawrence’s gaze still. “However, I have one request. When it’s done, I would like to have 10% of the Lawrence Corporation’s shares.”

Everyone gasped and stared at Mark in disbelief. Even John Lawrence had only 40% of all the shares.

“10%!” Alice exclaimed. She stared at Mark as if he was a monstrous weirdo. “Why? You got us in trouble and you are responsible for sorting it out. How dare you ask for anything?! Shame on you!” She yelled at him.

Again, Mark took no notice of her. He said to Mr. Lawrence clearly, “I’m sure you know that THIS is in their plan. They have been planning of devouring the Lawrence. Even if I didn’t get involved, the Lawrence will have to face the same difficulty and it would have happened even more unexpectedly.”

Senior Mr. Lawrence listened quietly. He appeared calm, yet he was surprised to know that Mark knew Jones’ real intention. Even his sons had not figured it out yet. He is actually a clever one. I might have underestimated him. He thought. 

“Deal.” Mr. Lawrence said and that was the end of the meeting. He was curious to see how Mark would get them out of trouble.  

Back in the hotel room, Mark lied down on bed lazily and took out his phone. “Hey, Mary Anne, get me the information of the president of the biggest investment company in England.” He requested.

Within two minutes, a photo of a middle-aged man popped up on Mark’s phone screen, followed by a detailed biography of him. Mark went through it quickly and he knew his first target, Betty Foster, the only daughter of Sam Foster, who owed Foster Future Advisor, the biggest investment company in England.

Betty Foster was considered clever and competent and she had the authority to invest, however, she wasn’t regarded with much reverence in the company and it had a lot to do with her personality.

Mark finished reading the information about Foster Future Advisor, Sam Foster and Betty Foster, came up with a plan in his mind, put his phone away and went to sleep.

The next day, he ventured out in a black suit, rather formally attired. As he walked into Melody Café, people turned to look at him, finding him charming and fit, especially the young female customs.

He went up to the stage in the center of the café. There was a Steinway Grand piano and the pianist was tuning it. His name was Joe.

“I’m Mark, nice to meet you. I wonder if I can use the piano and play a tune for a friend here later.” Mark shook Joe’s hand and said politely.

The crowd listened curiously. Joe knitted his brows and said uncertainly, “Our customers all have a great taste and high standard for music and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to have a stranger perform here.”

“Well, so do I and I’m quite confident that I can meet your customers’s expectations.” Mark replied with a smile.

“Joe’s a professional. I wouldn’t suggest you embarrass yourself, sir.” A young man seated at a table near the stage commented. Mark smiled at him and didn’t react to his mockery.

“Perhaps you are worried that I play better than you and you might lose your job?” Mark looked at Joe into his eyes and challenged him. “Why don’t you let me play just one tune and you can decide if I’m qualified to perform here? Or we can have a little competition if you don’t mind?”