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.

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

up at Mark with tender

Mark looked at her quietly for a prolonged moment

was wandering alone early in the morning with nothing on her, so I couldn’t leave her out there. Do you think I’m as

didn’t provoke

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

Cecilia away to the

they left, Zoey gazed in the direction of their departure

didn’t dare to enter the east corridor

the bedroom door and gently

pressed her against 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

Cecilia asserted, her back pressed against the door, tears

Peter. “Book a ticket

finish his sentence, Cecilia took hold of his hand, preventing him

eyes grew stern.

say, “I won’t leave. Miss Holt told me that

his gaze

he smiled gently. “Do you believe the words

conflicts, she knew she had to find out the truth today. She refused to

pressed her

to

lips quivered, tears on the brink

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

a firm resolve, Mark started unbuttoning Cecilia’s shirt as

Fine, I’ll indulge you once. Then you

buttons and subjected her to degrading

she slapped him across the

her tears, Cecilia pleaded, “Mark, you have feelings for me, don’t

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 to like you, would you have

wanted to have

to

but he continued to speak mercilessly. “I’ve encountered many women like you. I’m merely enamored by novelty.

broke down in

wished for him to

Mark retrieved a box of condoms from the bedside

longer,

the stinging slap, she buried her face in the quilt and sobbed

face flushed with embarrassment. He lay there despondently, covering his eyes with his

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

eyes, flowing

of sorrow and fear, intertwining

silence, Mark shielded his swollen eyes and spoke

Listen, Cecilia, I no

sobs grew fainter, the pain

that posture, she remained there for an

embarrassed to face anyone outside in

she mustered the strength to sit up and

put on her clothes, gradually getting

also rose from

elbow, he said with a hoarse voice, “Go have your lunch. Afterward, I’ll

she slapped his hand

replied, “I’m fine. I

hand froze in mid-air, hesitating for some time before finally lowering it.

the best that she decided to

do? Even if he saw her off, what difference would it

that instant, she knew all too well that after this parting, they would never be together again, and she

It was the end.

another romantic affair, yet

this moment

fact that he had loved her once

door, she found Zoey standing

Cecilia is much younger than you. You should

Zoey took Cecilia’s hand and invited her to join

of the kind old woman, Cecilia tearfully replied,

intend to leave, do so after lunch. Mark will send a car to take

so, the three of them shared a meal

silence enveloped

had no appetite. He walked to the

her meal, Mark called the driver

black limousine gradually departed, Mark stood there in silent contemplation

His heart ached.

right girl and wanted to

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

arrived to

the scene, he could sense the tension and

came to

Mark’s expression changed slightly.

was Mark’s junior in college, studying engineering just

held the place

old

had spent three years

of her exact history, he was convinced that she had been covertly

passed through Mark’s

in the past and acquainted with Zoey, she presumed that her presence

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

even offer Cathy

Cathy seemed unperturbed by the lack of hospitality. In a soft voice, she addressed Mark, “Mr. Evans,

taken aback but he maintained his composure and nodded

a glance

the

Peter was on edge, full of admiration for Mark’s

must have been

Cathy was the spy they had been

men working in that foreign company. Without hesitation, Peter stepped outside and discreetly sent a message on

“Abduct Cathy Wilson.”

if nothing had transpired. “Mr. Evans, Miss

a

the car with

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