The car belonged to Flora, who was accompanied by her new boyfriend for the night. They intended to spend it together.

Noticing Cecilia from a distance, Flora instructed the driver to stop the car.

The car came to a halt, and Flora gracefully stepped out, her slim waist swaying. She said kindly, “Why are you wandering around outside in the middle of the night? Let me take you home. Otherwise, if your Uncle Mark finds out tomorrow, he might blame me for being incompetent.”

Disgust welled up within Cecilia upon hearing these words.

She continued walking forward.

At that moment, a handsome young man alighted from the car and wrapped his arms around Flora’s waist, inquiring, “Who is this?”

Cecilia turned around.

Flora cozied up to the man, her smile taking on a coquettish charm. “What? Are you really that naive? Isn’t it normal for men and women to mingle? Am I supposed to be loyal to Mark? Besides, since you came into the picture, he hasn’t laid a finger on me. I believe I can have some fun with other men.”

Cecilia’s breath grew unsteady.

What did Flora just say? Mark… Mark wasn’t with Flora?

Cecilia couldn’t fathom why Mark had lied to her.

Sensing Cecilia’s doubts, Flora decided to be somewhat helpful.

Approaching Cecilia, Flora straightened her clothes and said with indifference, “It’s been a while since Mark and I were together. I’m well aware that he has no feelings for me, despite my dream of becoming his wife. This time, he came back to me but there was no intimacy, so I know he won’t marry me. He won’t even touch me, so it’s clear where I stand.”

They were no strangers to intimacy.

Mark’s lack of interest in Flora indicated his lack of affection for her.

Cecilia stood still, looking at Flora as she murmured, “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I feel sorry for you.”

Flora smiled, her gaze full of pity. “Look at you. He must have shattered your heart. Alright…

I painfully revealed the truth. If you want to know everything, ask Mark directly. Only he knows what he’s thinking.”

After uttering those words, Flora wrapped her arms around her young companion and shared a passionate kiss.

Then, the two got back into the car.

As the driver started the car, Cecilia rushed over and stopped it. Flora and her companion were lost in their embrace in the backseat, and the sudden braking really startled them.

The driver said apologetically, “Miss Fowler stopped the car.”

Ignoring the awkward situation, Cecilia opened the car door and squeezed into the vehicle, making her way to Flora’s side.

The ambiance grew exceedingly awkward.

Flora’s clothing lay in tatters, baring a substantial expanse of her skin.

The man’s attire appeared disheveled and unkempt.

“Take me to the airport,” Cecilia uttered in a rigid tone.

Flora’s face turned pale with anger. “Do I owe you anything?”

Cecilia remained resolute, refusing to budge from her seat.

The man smiled and placated Flora, “Just give her a ride.”

He held great affection for Flora and secretly hoped that Cecilia’s presence might prompt Mark to reconsider, granting him a chance with Flora. Each had their own motivations in mind. The driver directed the car towards the airport.

Throughout the journey, Cecilia wept, consumed by the thought that Mark might be facing undisclosed troubles.

As Flora busied herself with reattaching her clothes, her desire for any intimacy vanished, dampened by Cecilia’s constant tears.

Late into the night, with no flights available, Cecilia sat alone in the lounge, clutching a ticket for the earliest departure to Czanch on the following day.

She could have gone home first.

But impatience gripped her and she chose to sit and wait here.

The idea of calling Mark crossed her mind, but she hesitated, fearing that he might not answer.

In the distance, a group of people passed by.

Seven individuals surrounded a handsome man, making their way toward the VIP passage.

The man glanced around and noticed a young woman sitting alone in the empty departure lounge, her sorrow evident from her posture.

From behind, she bore a striking resemblance to Cecilia.

But why was Cecilia here? Would she cry once again tonight?

Mark stood there silently for a long while until Peter’s reminder broke his reverie, “Mr. Evans, the private plane is about to depart.”

With a deep sigh, Mark averted his gaze and hastened into the VIP passage.

Back in Czanch, Mark found himself caught up in an emergency meeting, which kept him occupied throughout the morning.

Only by noon did he manage to return home.

Lunchtime approached and the servants bustled about preparing the meal. Mark inquired from the staff and learned that a guest from Duefron was coming to visit. Zoey was elated and even brought out vegetables she had grown herself.

Aguest from Duefron…

Mark speculated that it might be Eloise. He lit a cigarette and made his way towards the kitchen to greet the visitor.

However, as he made his way there, he froze.

There, on the stone bench, sat his little girl, engaging in lively conversation with her mother while they prepared vegetables for cooking.

The scene triggered a poignant sense of nostalgia, evoking memories of beautiful times from the past.

Mark’s eyes welled up with emotion.

Momentarily lost for words, he locked his gaze on Cecilia. He realized she was wearing the same clothes he saw her in at the airport last night. It dawned on him that she was the very person he encountered there, waiting throughout the entire night.

What a fool she had been! Cecilia had patiently waited at the airport throughout the night just to catch the earliest flight to see him.

it behind a calm facade. With a cigarette held delicately in his hand,

at

Mark looked at her quietly for a prolonged moment before

She was wandering alone early in the morning with

provoke Mark to

spoke slowly, “Let

Cecilia away

Zoey gazed in the direction of their

to enter the east corridor

bedroom door and gently ushered Cecilia

pressed her against it, his voice now harsh and laden with melancholy. “Why are you following me?

against the door, tears brimming in her

“Book a ticket for Cecilia this afternoon. The

finish his sentence, Cecilia took hold of his

grew stern. “You

Cecilia felt scared, but she gathered her courage to say, “I won’t leave. Miss Holt told me that you never had any

fixed his gaze on

silence, he smiled gently. “Do you believe the words of an

body wrought with emotion. Rarely engaged in conflicts, she knew she had to find out the truth today.

pressed her shoulder

to hear

on

his hair cascading over his forehead, Mark appeared forlorn and mysterious, a side of him Cecilia had never witnessed before. He gazed intently at her and spoke softly, “You can’t handle the truth. But if you insist, I’ll tell you. Before you, there was Miss Holt, Miss Green, Miss Smith… They were all pragmatic. You know what’s different about you? Unlike them, a young and inexperienced woman like you isn’t after my status or wealth. You love me with all your heart and that’s something I find refreshing. By the way, have you forgotten the first time we were intimate? It was in the hospital when Rena’s fate weighed heavily on my mind. I

unbuttoning Cecilia’s shirt as

you crave a man’s touch so desperately? Fine, I’ll indulge you once. Then you better dress

and subjected her to

she slapped him across the

you have feelings

a man desires a woman, he’ll surely profess his fondness. If I

Mark? What a naive fool! I merely wanted to have sex

Cecilia to

“I’ve encountered many women like you. I’m merely enamored by novelty. Do you truly believe I would assume responsibility for you after sleeping

down

for him

from continuing his advances. Yet, Mark retrieved a box of

bear it any longer, she slapped him across the

slap, she buried her face in the quilt and sobbed

embarrassment. He lay there despondently, covering his

graceful figure remained

in Cecilia’s eyes, flowing

a blend of sorrow and fear, intertwining

shielded his swollen eyes and

return here. Listen, Cecilia, I no longer

each passing moment, her sobs grew fainter, the pain numbing her

for an extended period, slowly curling up once

no appetite, feeling too embarrassed to face anyone

the strength to sit

diligently put on her clothes, gradually

also rose from the

a hoarse voice, “Go have your lunch. Afterward, I’ll

moment, she slapped his hand

fine. I

hand froze in mid-air, hesitating for some time before finally lowering it. He wanted to say more

best

could he do? Even if he saw her

firmly. In that instant, she knew all too well that after this parting, they would never be together

It was the end.

she was merely another romantic affair, yet

Cecilia realized at this

he had

opened the door,

are you crying? Mark, Cecilia is much younger than you. You should have taken care

took Cecilia’s hand and invited her to

to resist the affectionate grasp of the kind old woman, Cecilia

glanced at her son for a few seconds before saying, “If you intend to leave, do so after lunch. Mark will

the three of

unusual silence

Mark had no appetite. He walked to the window,

called the driver to take her

departed, Mark stood there in silent contemplation for

His heart ached.

repeatedly, “You finally found the right girl and wanted to settle down. Why did

the midst of this situation, Zoey displayed astute insight, realizing that her son wastroubled and left with little choice. Though she refrained from excessive interference, she couldn’t help but feel compassion for both her son and Cecilia. Her curiosity sparked a desire to inquire further, yet eventually she

to pick up

scene, he could sense the tension

the car. I came to pick you up. She insisted on going

Mark’s expression changed slightly.

junior in college,

place of being Mark’s

Cathy also came into the picture. Encountering an old flame

had spent three years

exact history, he was convinced that she had been covertly

tremor passed through Mark’s

Peter on something when Cathy arrived. Having had a relationship with Mark in the past and acquainted with

Zoey knew well that her son’s only concern

Cathy a

hospitality. In a soft voice, she addressed Mark, “Mr. Evans, my apologies for

aback but he

exchanged a glance with

understood the unspoken

of admiration for Mark’s ability to perceive everything and make prompt decisions in such

Cecilia must have

spy they had

working in that foreign company. Without hesitation,

“Abduct Cathy Wilson.”

Peter returned with a smile, acting as if nothing had transpired. “Mr. Evans,

a

entered the car

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