Trash Son-in-law is the Almighty Marshal

CHAPTER 7

For several seconds, nobody moved, then the atmosphere shifted. Cheers and enthusiastic applause filled the room as everyone reacted to Gerard’s unexpected proposal.

“Say yes!” “Say yes!” “Say yes!” They all chanted in unison.

Belinda grabbed Katie’s arm, practically jittery with excitement. “Katie, what are you waiting for? This is what we’ve been hoping for forever! Why are you hesitating? Say yes!”

Jeremy grinned as he joined the celebration. “Yeah, sis. This is every girl’s dream! Look at what’s happening to you. Today has to be the most important day of your life. You finally got rid of your loser husband, and now you’re being proposed to by Gerard Hall!”

“And do you understand what this means for us?” Belinda added eagerly. “The Halls are a Gold-tier family! We’ll go from Bronze-tier to Gold-tier in the blink of an eye. Our status will change completely. We couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity!”

“Say yes!” The guests grew louder.

“Come on, Katie Johnson!”

“Don’t keep him waiting!”

Katie stood there with one hand pressed against her chest. Tears still filled her eyes, but this time they were tears of joy.

She looked down at Gerard, who remained on one knee before her, holding the small velvet box.

“Gerard…” she whispered. “Do you really mean this?”

Gerard’s smile grew wider and more confident.

“Of course I do. I’ve always wanted you, Katie.” His voice softened as he stared deep into her glossy eyes. “I’m sorry it took me this long, and I’m sorry you had to suffer for so many years because of that loser. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

He took the ring out of the pillow cushion in the box and held it up to her. “So please, Katie Johnson, make me the happiest man on this planet. Say yes and become my wife. Be mine forever.”

Katie’s eyes moved to the ring, and back to Gerard.

“I can’t believe this,” she wiped the single tear drop from her cheek. “I feel so many emotions right now that I don’t even know what to say. Gerard, you’re amazing. You took what was almost the worst hour of my life and somehow turned it into something beautiful.”

Her cheeks turned a faint pink as she extended her hand. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

The crowd cheered once again.

“Yes!”

“Wow!”

“They’ll make a good couple!”

Gerard’s smile widened and his eyes twinkled as he took Katie’s hand and prepared to slide the ring through her finger.

But before he could, Marcus moved like lightning. He jumped straight onto the stage and slapped the ring out of Gerard’s hand.

The ring flew and landed somewhere across the stage, and the celebrations died instantly.

“What the hell?”

“Has he gone mad?”

“What is this loser doing?”

“Why is he causing another scene!”

Katie stared at Marcus in disbelief before her face contorted with anger.

“Oh my God, Marcus!” she screamed with her hands thrown up in the air. “Were you sent here to torment me?! What the hell is your problem?!”

Gerard’s face had gone completely blank. He slowly got up to his feet and turned toward Marcus. Then his expression darkened.

“You fool!” He lunged forward and grabbed Marcus by his collar. “Do you have any idea how much that ring cost?! How dare you use your filthy hands to knock it away?”

Marcus clenched his jaw and his fingers immediately wrapped around Gerard’s wrists.

“Don’t you fucking touch me,” he warned as he forcefully pulled Gerard’s hands away from his collar and shoved him hard in the chest.

Shocked gasps elicited from the guests at the action. Gerard staggered backward, stunned that Marcus had actually pushed him.

Marcus straightened his shirt and glared at him unwaveringly. “You’ve tested my patience several times today, and I’ve let it slide because I didn’t want to cause trouble. But don’t fucking touch me again. You insulted my ego in front of everyone here, and I won’t stand for it anymore.”

His breathing had become heavy, but he didn’t back down as he turned to Katie. “This proposal can’t happen.”

Katie’s brows furrowed in a deep V. “What?”

“You can’t just tell me you want a divorce and then, minutes later, accept another man’s proposal while we’re still legally married,” Marcus responded, trying to curtail the anger in his voice. “At least respect me enough to wait until the divorce is finalized.”

“Did you just say respect?” Katie asked incredulously, then she turned to Gerard and shook her head.

“Gerard. I can’t do this. Please do something. I…I can’t take this anymore.”

“Marcus!” Gerard’s face was now red with fury as he called him out. “You’ve really crossed the line now.”

He took a threatening step forward. “You should have known better than to trouble Katie and lay your filthy hands on me. You’ve gone too far this time, and I promise you, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your miserable life.”

Belinda immediately jumped in. “Please don’t hesitate, Gerard! This fool has completely lost his mind. He keeps ruining everything for everyone. Teach him a very big lesson!”

Gerard stared at Marcus for another moment, then he pulled out his phone and made a call.

“I need the guards inside. Now.”