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.

facade. With a cigarette held delicately in his hand, he

gazed up at Mark with

looked at her quietly for

ran into her on the street, so I brought her back. It’s freezing outside. She was wandering alone early in the morning with

words didn’t provoke Mark

slowly, “Let her stay in the previous room. I’ll take

guided Cecilia away to the

in the direction of their departure

didn’t dare to enter the east corridor without

door and

it, his voice now harsh and laden with melancholy. “Why are you following me? Go back to Duefron after lunch. I’ll have Peter book a ticket

asserted, her back pressed against

“Book a ticket for

Cecilia took hold of his hand,

eyes grew stern. “You

to seeing him like this, Cecilia felt scared, but she gathered her courage to say, “I

fixed his gaze on

gently. “Do you believe the words of

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

her shoulder

want to

on

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 didn’t know if Alexis would survive and the stress was

firm resolve, Mark started unbuttoning Cecilia’s shirt as he continued

come all this way. Do you want me to have you? Do you crave a man’s touch so desperately? Fine, I’ll indulge you once. Then you better dress yourself and leave. Return

undid Cecilia’s buttons and

she slapped

Cecilia pleaded, “Mark, you

sneer, Mark pushed her onto the bed and began to kiss her. “When a man desires a woman, he’ll surely profess his fondness. If I hadn’t claimed

What a naive fool! I merely wanted to have sex with

Cecilia to

like you. I’m merely enamored by novelty. Do you truly believe I would assume responsibility for you after sleeping together

down

for him

from continuing his advances. Yet, Mark retrieved a box of condoms from the bedside drawer, as if determined to

longer, she slapped

she buried her

He lay there despondently, covering his

the bedsheet, Cecilia’s graceful figure remained concealed, adorned with marks left by Mark just

welled in Cecilia’s eyes, flowing down her

of sorrow and fear, intertwining

swollen

Listen, Cecilia, I

her sobs grew fainter, the pain numbing her

she remained there for an extended period,

feeling too embarrassed to face anyone outside in such

the strength to sit up and started

diligently put on her clothes, gradually getting

rose

said with a hoarse voice, “Go have your lunch. Afterward, I’ll arrange a car to

next moment, she

replied, “I’m fine. I can manage

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

best

if he saw her off,

instant, she knew all too

It was the end.

romantic affair, yet she had genuinely fallen in love with

so, Cecilia realized at this moment

he had loved

door,

warm smile, Zoey asked, “What’s the matter? Why are you crying? Mark, Cecilia is much younger than you. You should have

invited her to join them for

kind old woman,

few seconds before saying, “If you intend to leave, do so after

so, the three of them

unusual silence enveloped the

He walked to

her meal, Mark called the driver

Mark stood there in silent contemplation

His heart ached.

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

wastroubled and left with little choice. Though she refrained from excessive interference, she couldn’t help but feel

arrived to pick

he entered the scene, he could sense the

Wilson is in the car. I came to pick you up. She insisted on going for a ride and I couldn’t

Mark’s expression changed slightly.

was Mark’s junior in college, studying engineering

the place of being Mark’s first

picture. Encountering an old flame was an entirely different affair from meeting someone new. Mark swiftly investigated her

spent three

convinced that she had been covertly sent by

tremor passed through Mark’s

was about to instruct Peter on something when Cathy arrived. Having had a relationship with Mark in the past and acquainted with Zoey, she presumed that her presence would bring joy

that her son’s only concern was Cecilia, thus her enthusiasm

Cathy a glass of

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

but he maintained his composure and

a glance

the

Peter was on edge, full of admiration for Mark’s ability to perceive everything and make prompt decisions in such

Cecilia must have

the spy they had been looking

in that foreign company. Without hesitation,

“Abduct Cathy Wilson.”

returned with a smile, acting as if nothing

gave a

the car with

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