The Trash Son-in-law Is A Hidden Billionaire

Chapter Ten

The air thickened as the security guard approached. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his expression cold.

“Passes,” he demanded, his tone unfriendly. His sharp eyes flicked between Mark and Anna, sizing them up.

Anna stiffened, clutching her bag tighter. She glanced uncertainly at Mark. “Do we… have one?” she whispered.

Mark’s calm gaze met hers briefly. “No.”

The guard’s brows furrowed. “No?” he repeated mockingly. “You walk into a private banquet without an invitation? Do you think this is some street fair?”

Mark didn’t waver. “I don’t need a piece of paper to prove my identity,” he said coldly.

Laughter erupted through the crowd, some people clutching their sides.

“Who does he think he is? Some big shot?” someone jeered, sparking another round of laughter.

Charlotte folded her hands and looked on in amusement. “Hear that? He doesn’t need proof. How noble,” she said mockingly.

The guard chuckled dryly, shaking his head. “Right. And should we call the hosts of the banquet to greet you personally too?” he added sarcastically. “Or maybe have one of the sponsors hand you the ceremonial mallet for the bell-ringing? Would that be more fitting for someone as ‘distinguished’ as you?”

The laughter that followed this time was deafening.

“He’s certainly lost his mind,” someone said.

“Yes, imagine coming to such a high-profile event and declaring you don’t need a pass! The psychiatrist should come and take their patient away, haha!” another mocked.

The guests ridiculed Mark endlessly.

Yet through it all, he remained composed. He stood still, hands at his sides, his gaze steady.

When the laughter began to fade, his calm voice cut through the noise. “Go ahead,” he said to the guard. “Do exactly that.”

The room went silent.

The guard blinked, unsure he’d heard right. “What?”

“Call the sponsors,” Mark repeated.

The guard’s patience snapped. “You’re unbelievable! If you’re crazy, go get treated. Don’t come here acting important!” He took a threatening step closer. “Now get lost before I—”

He raised his baton.

But before the blow could land, a strong hand caught it midair.

The guard froze. The baton was yanked from his grip.

Everyone turned toward the newcomer, a man in a tailored suit, his expression dark and cold. The guests quickly recognized him. He was one of the event’s sponsors, the director of Fintech, Mr. Macaulay. A man known for his ruthless precision in the business world.

The guard’s face turned pale. “Sir Macaulay, I…”

Macaulay’s glare was sharp and icy. “So this is what we pay you for? All the money we pour in every year, just so you can strut around like this?”

“He doesn’t have a pass…” the guard stammered.

“Enough!” Macaulay snapped, cutting him off. “I don’t want excuses. Apologize. Now.”

The guard trembled and bowed slightly toward Mark. “I’m sorry for raising my hand at you, sir. I didn’t realize…” He didn’t need a soothsayer to tell him that Mark was someone important.

Macaulay ignored the guard entirely. Turning to Mark, his demeanor shifted into one of respect. With a small bow, he gestured toward a VIP stand not far away.

“This way, sir.”

The crowd gasped in shock. The same man they had mocked moments ago was now being personally escorted by one of the banquet’s key sponsors.

For a moment, Anna forgot how to breathe. She was still trying to process what had just happened. Charlotte’s smirk had long vanished, replaced by a faint, strained smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Daniel whispered something to her, but she didn’t hear him. Her gaze was locked on Mark and Anna as they followed Macaulay toward the VIP section.

Desperate to regain footing, Charlotte hurried forward, her tone suddenly sweet and flattering. “Sir, there must be some misunderstanding,” she said with a forced laugh. “He’s just a live-in son-in-law from my family. Surely you didn’t come all the way out here to receive him personally?”

Macaulay paused and turned to her slowly, his gaze sharp. “A live-in son-in-law?” He laughed. “Seems your information is outdated, Miss Charlotte.”

Charlotte stiffened.

Adjusting his cufflinks, Macaulay raised his voice for everyone to hear. “Starting today, the Bell-Ringing Banquet will introduce a new honorary position, an honorary guest of public welfare, to recognize those who’ve given back to the people who support our enterprises. Mr. Mark is tonight’s honorary guest.”

The hall fell silent, then erupted with exclamations.

“What?”

“Did he just say honorary guest?”

“Public welfare? So he’s working with the exchanges?”

“I thought they said he’s just a live-in son-in-law?”

The confusion didn't last long. 

The guests quickly changed their tone, lifting champagne glasses in forced admiration.

“A wonderful initiative,” one man said loudly. “Truly a noble move, giving back to the community.”

“Yes, yes, quite commendable,” another added, grinning wide. “A responsible and meaningful tradition.”

The same people who mocked moments ago now tried to look impressed.

Anna stood beside Mark, still not fully understanding what was happening, but she could at least tell he was someone powerful. For the first time that night, her shoulders relaxed slightly.

Charlotte’s face turned pale with disbelief. Her lips parted as she spoke sharply, “Wait, how’s that possible? I’m tonight’s bell ringer. Why wasn’t I informed about this so-called honorary guest?”

Macaulay downed his champagne in one gulp, a mocking smile curving his lips. “That’s because your company’s listing has already been suspended.” His voice was cool and deliberately loud.

A stunned silence fell over the hall.

Macaulay nodded and continued, “Tonight’s bell ringing belongs to Sico Technologies.”

The hall went silent again, then gasps rippled through the crowd as realization set in.

Sico Technologies, the very company they’d mocked as bankrupt minutes ago.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Mark, calm and unreadable as always, then to Anna, whose lips parted in disbelief.

Charlotte’s hands trembled, the color draining from her face as murmurs rose around her.