Chapter 10 Just Stay Here

• After dinner, Mark was ready to leave this place.
• Although he was now married to Laurel, it wasn't appropriate for him to mention staying overnight in front of Eddie and Tamara.
• "Hold on, Laurel said you're living in that run-down building at the Water and Power Management Center," Tamara commented, a trace of scorn in her voice.
• "That's right, I'm staying there for now. I'll be moving out once I buy a house in a few days," Mark replied.
• "Buy a house?" Tamara laughed, shaking her head. She thought Mark was out of touch with reality, making claims without thinking them through.
• Considering the current real estate market in Seraphia, buying a home would cost at least 300,000 dollars.
• If Mark had that kind of money, he wouldn't have had to depend on using Laurel's card to maintain his dignity earlier.
• "Okay, don't see me as a harsh mother-in-law. Stay with us for a few days. We can talk about the divorce after the banquet tomorrow," Tamara said coolly, crossing her arms.
• Eddie nodded in agreement, "Yeah, don't go back to that shabby place for now. It won't look good if anyone sees you there. Old Mr. Clayton brags a lot. If people find out you work in such conditions, it will lessen the importance of the banquet tomorrow."
• Mark kept quiet, aware that they still looked down on him because of his humble background.
• "Alright, I'll stay here for a few days. I'll move out after I buy a house," he promised.
• "Our house ... doesn't have any extra rooms, right?" Laurel asked, looking both surprised and a bit embarrassed.
• It had been ten years since she last saw Mark, and back then, their relationship was innocent and pure. The most intimate thing they did was hold hands and hug. Now, even though they were married, the idea of sharing a bed right away felt too sudden for her.
• "Let him sleep in the living room! Our sofa is definitely more comfortable than the bed in his rundown building," Tamara declared firmly. She had clearly thought it through.
• Without saying a word, Eddie went to get a blanket and tossed it onto the sofa.
• "Laurel, if this guy sneaks into your room tonight and lays a hand on you, just shout out. I'll come right out and teach him a lesson!" Eddie declared.
• "Got it," she replied softly.
• Laurel responded with a peculiar expression. While she could speak up for Mark in other matters, she felt hesitant to intervene in this one, being a young woman.
• Seeing Laurel's parents' reaction, Mark chuckled helplessly. What did his father-in-law think of me? It was clearly a threat.
• As a son-in-law, he couldn't even enter his wife's room. Even if he had to sleep on the floor in Laurel's room, it would be better than this.
• In the dead of night, Mark stirred awake at the slightest sound. He noticed that Laurel's door was open, and a figure in pyjamas stealthily approached him, carrying a blanket in her arms.
• "He's sleeping so soundly."
• Laurel murmured softly, reaching out to nudge Mark.
• "Wake up, I'll change your blanket to mine," she said gently.
• "Hey, wake up!"
• She called several times in a row, but Mark didn't move. In desperation, she had to pinch his nose, making him breathe poorly, just to wake him up quickly.
• To her surprise, over thirty seconds passed, and Mark still hadn't awake.
• "Hmph, are you pretending to sleep and teasing me?" Laurel realised, and with a slap, her hand landed softly on his shoulder in the darkness.
• Mark said nothing. Instead, he reached out, pulling her into his embrace.
• Laurel was somewhat taken aback, attempting to free herself, but Mark's strength was overwhelming. He held her tightly in his arms, and she could only relent, lying on top of him.
• "Don't push it. I came here to change your blanket out of kindness. The one you're using is filthy. It's what my dad uses when he's drunk and sleeps on the floor. It's never been washed. Hurry up and change it."
• Laurel pounded on Mark's chest, admonishing him.
• "That's why I smell something strange," Mark remarked, releasing her and sitting up.
• "Shh, keep your voice down. Hurry up and change mine. Get some good sleep. I'm heading back," she replied, swapping the blanket quickly before preparing to slip back to her room.
• "Then why don't you just let me sleep in your room tonight? What's the point of changing the blanket?" Mark suggested.
• "Tonight isn't convenient. Bear with it for now, and we'll talk about this tomorrow," Laurel said, not lingering any longer.
• She was afraid Mark might get ideas and slip away as quickly as a mouse.
• Mark pulled the quilt that faintly carried Laurel's scent over himself, took a deep breath, and shook his head with a wry smile. He realised he needed to buy a house soon and move in with Laurel.
• To find himself, the Defender, capable of moving millions with a command, returning home only to become such a pathetic son-in-law who was treated differently even when eating and sleeping, left Mark amusing and heartbreaking.
• The next day, Laurel woke him up early and then moved the blanket back to her room, as if nothing had happened.
• "Get up. Come with me for a morning run and let's grab breakfast on the way," she said.
• Laurel was actually afraid her parents would find out she had swapped Mark's blanket.
• The entire morning was tense in the Claytons, especially for Greg.
• They had thought it was a perfect opportunity to make an appearance, but who would have expected Mark, this useless person, turned out to be just a supervisor at the Water and Power Management Center—essentially a plumber. If he couldn't bring in a few real war heroes in the afternoon, the Claytons would truly be disgraced.
• "I heard that useless guy booked 17 tables. I wonder if he can even fill one. If he can't fill a single table, it'll be quite a joke. I'm starting to reconsider attending this banquet."
• "I'm sure he'll manage to fill them, but who shows up is another story. This guy managed to deceive Old Mr. Clayton in front of so many people before. He'll definitely stage something this time. I just hope no one takes it too seriously and exposes him publicly. Otherwise, Old Mr. Clayton might really be infuriated to death."
• "Laurel is quite naive too. Despite having good prospects, Old Mr. Clayton was hoping she'd marry into wealth and status. Who would've thought she'd end up with such a waste? After ten years out there hustling, even a dog would have made a fortune now, yet he returns and becomes a plumber."
• The Claytons laughed and gossiped about Laurel's family, discussing the afternoon banquet eagerly.
• If it weren't for Old Mr. Clayton insisting that everyone attend, many wouldn't have gone willingly to endure such humiliation.
• In his room, Greg changed into a vibrant traditional suit,but his spirit was far from lively.
• He had initially thought Mark was a high-ranking official, eagerly calling to invite others to dinner and personally making the request. Little did he know that Mark was such a disappointment.
• If no one showed up this afternoon, or if Mark simply brought in some labourers from the construction site to fabricate attendance, only to be exposed on the spot, it would be a complete disgrace to his reputation.