The Trash Son-in-law Is A Hidden Billionaire

Chapter Nine

After seeing him downstairs, Anna lingered for a moment. The cool morning breeze brushed against her face. Should I go back home? she wondered, still undecided.

She was yet to make up her mind when Mark’s phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. He stopped a few feet ahead, glanced at the screen, and answered with a faint smile. His tone was low, and his expression unreadable.

When he ended the call, he turned to her and gestured toward his car. “Get in.”

Anna blinked. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” he replied curtly.

With a small nod, she followed him into the car. The ride was quiet—only the soft hum of the engine could be heard. Mark’s gaze stayed fixed on the road, his fingers occasionally tapping the steering wheel.

Anna glanced at him. His handsome face was devoid of any expression.

“Mark, um… where are we really going?” she asked.

He only smiled faintly but didn’t answer.

Her curiousity deepened, but she trusted him. She had a feeling that Mark wouldn't misled her, so she relaxed, deciding to wait until he chose to speak.

It wasn’t until the car slowed to a stop that he finally said, “We’re here.”

Anna turned her head and froze. Before her stood a lavish, grand hall. People were walking in and out through the entrance. Laughter and the faint clinking of glasses drifted out through the open doors.

“Wait! Isn’t this the place where the Bell-Ringing Banquet is being held?” she exclaimed, shocked. What are we doing here? she wondered silently.

Mark nodded. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Here? Why…?” she started, but he was already out of the car. She quickly followed after him.

They walked toward the entrance of the hall. A few people turned to glance at them as they stepped inside before returning to their conversations.

Just as they entered, they spotted Charlotte near the doorway. She wore an off-shoulder red gown and held a glass of champagne. Surrounded by admirers, she soaked in their constant praise, her face glowing with pride and satisfaction.

Then her gaze shifted. Her smile froze for a moment as she spotted Mark and Anna. The guests, noticing her sudden pause, followed her line of sight. Murmurs began to rise as they studied the pair walking in.

“Wait,” one of the women whispered, squinting. “Isn’t that the woman who went bankrupt last month? The former CEO of I-TECH Technologies?”

“Yes, that’s her. What’s she doing here—and who’s the man with her?” another added.

“I heard her assets were frozen. What’s she even doing at an elite event like this?”

A small commotion spread through the guests as they whispered among themselves.

Anna heard everything clearly. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she lowered her head slightly.

Charlotte snorted softly and tapped her glass to draw attention. “Give us a moment, everyone. I have something private to discuss,” she said with a charming smile.

The guests obediently stepped back, though a few lingered close enough to eavesdrop.

Beside Charlotte stood a tall, handsome man in a dark blue suit. Mark recognized him immediately—it was the same man from the video. He had already investigated him and knew his name: Daniel.

Leaning closer, Daniel whispered, “Babe, should I excuse myself?”

“Of course not, darling.” Charlotte looped her arm around his so everyone could see. No need to act so gentlemanly. You’re already one of my own. My business is yours, and yours is mine.”

Mark watched them calmly, his expression giving nothing away.

“If you have something to say, then say it,” he said flatly, checking his wristwatch. “I have things to attend to.”

Charlotte chuckled under her breath. “You? Things to attend to? Let’s not even pretend.” She snickered and swirled her glass of champagne. “I’ve already signed the divorce papers. What do you plan to do with all the junk you left at my house?”

Mark’s expression didn’t change. “Handle it yourself,” he said evenly. “I don’t need any of it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t need them? Are you sure? You might want to reconsider. Who knows—after this, you might end up sleeping on the street.”

The guests nearby snickered in amusement.

Charlotte tilted her chin proudly. “They’re still brand-name items. Sell a few, and maybe you’ll survive for a week or two.”

Daniel scoffed. “Don’t embarrass yourself, Mark. Pride doesn’t fill an empty stomach. You should be worrying about your next meal, not acting proud.”

Charlotte glanced up at him approvingly. “You see? Daniel gets it. That’s one of the things I love about him, he’s realistic.”

Turning back to Mark, she said mockingly, “Honestly, I’m in a generous mood today. If you take your things now, you can do whatever you want with them. But if I change my mind tomorrow…” Her smile grew wider. “You might not even have a place to cry.”

She and Daniel clinked glasses and laughed together.

Anna clenched her fists. She couldn't take it any longer. “Don’t you think you’ve said enough, Charlotte?” Her voice came out steadier than she expected.

Charlotte’s laughter stopped abruptly. She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“Enough of this nonsense,” Anna said, stepping forward. “It’s ridiculous to settle a divorce using the other person’s belongings. If you really wanted to compensate him, you’d offer money instead. What’s the point of pretending to be generous when you can’t even spare a few hundred thousand? You call yourself successful, but this is just petty.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Charlotte’s eyes turned sharp and hostile.

“Who do you think you are?” she snapped. “A bankrupt nobody dares to lecture me? You think you’re qualified?”

Her voice sliced through the hall as she pointed directly at Anna.

“You’ve got some nerve,” she sneered. “Your company’s gone, your assets frozen, and yet you still talk to me like an equal? What are you even doing here—trying to freeload on food and drinks?”

Anna’s face went pale. She opened her mouth to reply, but Charlotte had already gestured toward the guards at the entrance.

“Check them,” she ordered coldly. “See if they even have valid passes.”

The security guard started toward them. The surrounding guests whispered among themselves, some curious, others amused.

Anna felt their stares burning into her. Her throat tightened. She turned to Mark and tugged lightly on his sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s go.”

Her face burned with humiliation. She didn’t even know why Mark had brought her here, or if they even had valid passes.

But Mark didn’t move.

His expression remained calm, unfazed. No one could tell what he was thinking.

Anna looked up at him in disbelief. For a moment, she forgot her embarrassment, her heart pounding as she realized he wasn’t flustered at all, even as the security guard approached.