chapter 32

The room fell silent as Mark's anger boiled over. "Enough! Don't you dare talk about my girlfriend like that!" Mark yelled, causing gasps from the crowd and a flurry of camera flashes.

Mark's mother furiously approached him, trying to calm the situation. "Mark, what are you doing?" she hissed, aware of the media's presence.

"What does it look like, Mom?" Mark snapped back, pulling his arm away from her grasp.

"Stop this now! The media is watching," she whispered urgently, wearing a fake smile for the cameras.

"Let go of me, Mom!" Mark shouted, his frustration mounting. "I told you not to do anything that would make me cause a scene. But no, you want to announce my wedding to a girl I don't give a damn about!"

Rose, offended by Mark's outburst, interjected defensively, pointing at Barbie, who stood behind Mark. "She's the one at fault! She wants to take you away from me!"