Margarethe stood up from her chair, her golden jewelry jingling with anger.
Margarethe: You cannot survive without the family business and my financial support!
Mark: Watch me build a life without your cruel control over us.
Mark turned to Clara and offered her his arm with a warm, caring smile.
Clara took his arm, feeling a sudden surge of safety and deep relief.
Margarethe rushed around the table to block their path toward the main door.
Margarethe: You will not disrespect me in front of all my high-society friends!
She reached out to grab Clara's sleeve, trying to force her to stop.
Mark stepped between them instantly, shielding Clara and the baby from his mother.
Mark: Do not touch my wife ever again!
Margarethe: She is ruining your future, Mark! She is a nobody!
Mark: She is the mother of my child, and she has more dignity than you.
Margarethe raised her voice, yelling insults at Clara's modest family background.
The guests gasped at the ugly words coming from the wealthy hostess's mouth.
Mark realized that his mother would never change her cold, arrogant heart.
He took the baby carrier securely into his own strong arms to ease Clara's burden.
He held Clara's small hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Mark: Let's go home, Clara.
Clara: Yes, please, let's leave this place right now.
Margarethe stood in front of the door, refusing to move out of their way.
Margarethe: You will apologize to me before you take one step out of this house!
Mark: I owe you nothing, and you owe Clara a sincere apology you'll never give.
Mark pushed past his mother firmly, making sure not to hurt her.
Margarethe stumbled back against a large decorative wooden table in surprise.
She watched in shock as her son chose true love over immense family wealth.