Trash Son-in-law Returns as the Almighty Marshal

CHAPTER 2

“Frederick, you came!” Belinda practically squealed as she opened the door.

Standing at the doorway was Frederick Hall. He wasn’t particularly tall, but his sharp jawline, high cheekbones and blue eyes made up for the lack of height.

His tailored black suit complimented his lean build and the air was filled with a faint whiff of his expensive cologne.

“Mrs. Clark,” Frederick greeted with a charming smile. “It’s nice to see you after such a long time. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Oh, don’t be so formal,” Belinda waved him off with a giggle as she ushered him inside. “You’re welcome here anytime. And please…call me Belinda.”

“Noted,” Frederick nodded politely and stepped into the room like he owned the place.

“Frederick!” Jarod jumped up from the couch as if he had just spotted his favorite celebrity. “Man, what a surprise!”

Frederick mirrored Jarod’s expression as he dapped him up and gave him a once over. “Jarod. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”

“Of course,” Jarrod puffed out his chest with a proud smirk and flexed his muscles that were not half as impressive as he thought they were. “Gotta stay in shape for the beautiful ladies.”

Before Jarod could ramble about his new gym membership and workout routine, Belinda cut in. “You two can catch up later. Frederick, you shouldn’t keep the birthday girl waiting.”

“Ah, yes,” Frederick said smoothly and his eyes instantly scanned the room for Katie. The moment he spotted her, his face lit up like a Christmas tree and he strode towards her with two gift bags in his hands.

“You are even more beautiful than I remember. Happy birthday, Katie,” he let out a pearly white smile and extended the gift bags to her. “I got them for you.”

Katie’s gaze instinctively flicked to Tyler who stood stiffly by the wall, watching them intently. Guilt overtook her, still it didn’t stop her from reverting her gaze back to Frederick and accepting the bags from him.

“Thank you,” she gave him a tightlipped smile, then lowered her head to peek inside the first gift bag as curiosity got the better of her.

Her eyes widened the moment she saw what was in it. “Oh my god…” she gasped as she pulled out a sleek looking Canon HD camera that put Tyler’s gift to complete shame.

Her hands shook with excitement as she inspected it. It was brand new and beautiful. The exact type she had always wanted.

“How…how did you know?” She whispered in amazement.

“That’s a secret,” Frederick winked at her with a proud grin. “If you think you like this gift, then you’ll love the next one. Check the second bag.”

Katie’s heart pounded in anticipation as she carefully placed the camera back into the first bag and reached for the second one.

She dipped her hand inside and her fingers brushed against a glossy surface. The moment she pulled it out, she squealed like a child that had just been gifted their favorite candy.

Staring back at her was a Vogue limited edition magazine autographed by none other than Alicia Rowe. Popular Supermodel, and her idol.

“No way,” she breathed.

“I remembered how much you admire Alicia, so I had her sign it just for you,” Frederick explained as though he could read the questions in her mind.

Katie’s eyes glistened as she hugged the magazine to her chest. “I…don’t even know what to say, Frederick. This means a lot to me. Thank you.”

Belinda clasped her hands together with a bright smile on her face.

“See, Katie? Look at how thoughtful Frederick is. Look at the quality of his gifts, not that junk over there,” she pointed distastefully toward Tyler’s broken camera gift on the floor. “He is the kind of man you should be with, not that…good for nothing delivery boy.”

Belinda’s words cut Tyler deeply and his fists tightened at his sides, but he held his tongue. What hurt him more was seeing another man shower gifts on his wife.

Katie shifted uncomfortably at her mother’s comments, and took a step back from Frederick. “Mom… don’t say that. Tyler is still my husband, and I’m really grateful for Frederick’s gifts, but he’s only going to be a friend.”

Frederick's smile faltered. Katie’s words had bruised his ego, and to heal it, he quickly directed his frustration at Tyler.

“Katie, this loser isn’t fit to be your husband,” He crinkled his nose in disgust. “He’s nothing but dead weight. I can offer you so much more. Just imagine your face on the cover of Vogue like Alicia. Imagine walking down the runway during Paris and Milan fashion weeks. Leave him and be with me. I’ll turn your dreams of becoming a supermodel into reality.”

Belinda nodded eagerly. “Listen to him, Katie. Frederick is the perfect man for you. The perfect son-in-law for this family.”

“Yeah, sis…” Jarod chimed in. “I'd really love Frederick to be my brother-in-law. Accept him and dump that trash already.”

Katie bit her lip and fiddled nervously with her fingers. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted, her mind now torn between loyalty to Tyler and Frederick’s tempting offer.

The hesitation in her tone was enough to make Tyler’s heart sink. “Katie,” he whispered with hurt in his voice.

Frederick, sensing an opportunity to ridicule Tyler further, pulled out a chequebook, scribbled on it, and tore out a slip. He then walked up to Tyler and held it out to him with a smug smile.

“This is a cheque of one million dollars. Take it and leave Katie for good.”