The Trash Son-in-law Is A Hidden Billionaire

Chapter Seven

Beatrice's laughter froze the moment her eyes landed on Mark. She had a look of disbelief etched on her face.

"You—how did you get here?" Her words drew the attention of her friends, who stopped talking immediately to see what was the matter. It was then that they saw Mark standing before the elevator. Their eyes immediately shifted from curiosity to ridicule.

Mark didn't bother explaining. He didn't want to entangle himself with his mother-in-law and her gossipy friends. He gave a small nod of acknowledgement and replied with calm indifference. "I'm here to take care of something. Since I'm done, I'll be leaving now."

He moved toward the elevator to leave, but his former mother-in-law, Beatrice, extended an arm, blocking his path.

"Stop right there. Did I say you could go?" she spat coldly.

Mark frowned; he was annoyed by her tone. His eyes narrowed. He had always endured this woman's arrogance and her constant sneers and feeling of superiority all because of her daughter. He had no reason to continue putting up with her now.

"I have already discussed the divorce with your daughter," he said flatly. "From now on, whatever I do or wherever I go has nothing to do with you." His voice was firm and sharp.

Beatrice snorted coldly. Her lips curled into a sneer.

"Oh, just because you are divorced you think you can now disregard your elders, right?" she mocked. "How laughable. It's natural for someone my age to watch over the younger generation."

She leaned slightly closer, her face full of contempt. "Or perhaps, is there some dirty secret you're hiding?" Her gaze flashed at the girl beside him.

She looked at the two coldly as she folded her hands. "Oh, I see," she sneered. "So this is your mistress? You really aren't picky about anything, are you?"

Mark's face hardened; his voice dropped into a slow, icy tone. "Have some respect."

"Respect?" She burst into mocking laughter, bending at her waist. She clenched her stomach as if she had just heard the most outrageous thing ever.

"A parasite living off my daughter dares to talk to me about respect? A vampire who wants to bleed her dry? Don't make me laugh."

Her friends all burst out laughing and jeering at him too.

“Does he think he's someone worth respecting? a leech like you should know his place.” They mocked

Anna clenched her fist tightly. She couldn't watch any more. She felt that Mark did not deserve the insults and decided to interfere.

"That's enough," she said firmly, trying to restrain her anger. "Whether he's your son-in-law or not, he's a man worthy of admiration; at least show him some respect. He deserves more."

The women gasped loudly. Beatrice paused and looked at Anna, clearly annoyed. Her expression darkened.

"You... shut up!" she snapped quickly. "How dare you butt in when I'm teaching a worthless junior a lesson?!"

Anna trembled slightly, surprised by Beatrice's sudden outburst, but she still stood her ground. She didn't want to meddle in other people's family affairs, especially when Mark's mother-in-law clearly misunderstood her relationship with him. But Mark was her savior, after all, and she couldn't just stand and watch him get slandered in front of her.

She decided to calm Mark's mother-in-law instead by speaking softly. "Ma, perhaps there's a misunderstanding between you, your daughter, and him, but..."

"Oh, I get it now," Beatrice cut her off abruptly, a playful smile on her lips. "You two had slept together, right? And, if I'm not wrong, he also gave you lots of money already?"

Anna opened her eyes wide in shock. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

Beatrice shoved her roughly all of a sudden, cursing loudly. "You shameless slut, hand over whatever money he gave you! It belongs to my family."

Anna staggered and almost fell, but Mark's strong arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her firmly before she could. He glared at Beatrice. "Enough! Don't cause a scene here; there's nothing improper between the two of us."

"Nothing improper?" Beatrice scoffed. "Yet you bring her to a hotel? Do you take me for a fool?"

Anna swallowed. She didn't want to cause more trouble for Mark, so she decided to explain instead of retorting. "You are mistaken. He brought me here only to see the apartment; that's all." Her voice trembled a bit but still sounded firm.

For a brief moment, Beatrice froze. Her expression flickered before bursting into boisterous laughter, holding one of her friend's hands for support. They also burst out laughing beside her.

This scene confused Anna.

"An apartment? From him?" Her gaze flashed at Mark in total disdain. "He's nothing but a discarded son-in-law. A tossed-out loser. How could he possibly afford a place here?" She turned to her companions, who nodded and whispered their agreement.

She smiled in triumph. "You poor thing, you have been deceived by this useless piece of shit. Do you know the definition of a real man? Daniel, my future son-in-law, has already bought a wedding home upstairs. That's what a true provider is, not this loser." She threw a side-eye at Mark.

Anna's lips parted as she burned with indignation. She was about to speak when Mark lifted his hand gently. He calmly signaled her not to waste her breath, then gestured for her to follow him to the elevator.

Beatrice grew smug. To her, their silence and retreat were signs of defeat. Her voice rose arrogantly in the hallway.

"You little brat, you got lucky this time. Next time, I'll tear your skin off!"

Inside the elevator, silence reigned. Anna's chest rose and fell, her eyes filled with anger and humiliation. Her fist clenched tightly, her knuckles pale. But when she turned to look at him, she was surprised to find him standing, composed and calm.

He didn't look moved by what had just happened. Perhaps she was thinking a lot. Mark didn't seem like the kind to defend himself with words.