Hesitant, Peter trailed off, embarrassment coloring his pause.

Mark unwrapped a candy, his smile cryptic.

Then, Peter shifted topics.

“There’s a dinner party tonight, Edwin’s with you. Planning on canceling?”

Mark considered it.

However, upon reviewing the document, he inquired, “Wasn’t this an investment-related dinner? Summon Maria.”

Peter stepped out to fetch one of Mark’s secretaries, Maria Manson.

Shortly, Maria appeared, a smile playing on her lips.

“Mr. Evans, tonight’s host is Mr. Simon Lewis, a big name in the showbiz. He’s anxious about funding for his project. He’s even managed to invite the play’s leading lady-stunning and from Duefron’s elite. She rarely makes such appearances.”

Mark’s curiosity piqued.

Upon inquiry, Maria confirmed, “The actress is Cecilia Fowler.”

Peter’s gaze met Mark’s.

Dispassionate, Mark instructed, “Inform Simon I’ll be punctual.”

Maria nodded and exited.

Peter’s smile was sly.

“Perfect. The dinner has multiple investors.

You could play Cecilia’s guardian angel.”

Mark’s attention was anchored to the document.

After a pause, he murmured, “In Duefron, she’s untouchable.”

Mark’s intent was singular: to see Cecilia, even just from afar.

Come afternoon, his tasks completed, Mark collected Edwin.

To make up for his absence for the night, he suggested dinner out.

Children typically favored fast-food like fried chicken, a preference Mark was willing to indulge.

Yet, Edwin declined the fried chicken.

Grasping Mark’s hand, his brow furrowed, Edwin declared, “I want rice.”

Mark was baffled by the child’s preference for such simplicity.

Patting Edwin’s head tenderly, he proposed, “I can watch you eat the fried chicken.”

“But I want the rice,” Edwin clarified, blushing.

Mark smiled, acquiescing to the child’s peculiar request.

“Alright, let’s find you a restaurant.”

He drove Edwin to a well-regarded establishment, bustling with patrons.

Edwin relished the meal.

As Mark mentioned he’d drop Edwin off before attending an evening event, the boy’s demeanor shifted, his focus now solely on his plate.

Mark found Edwin’s temperament reminiscent of Rena’s.

He cajoled softly, “Your mother will be at the event, too. Don’t you want us to meet?”

Edwin did, undoubtedly.

But restrained, he sidestepped.

“I have a heap of homework tonight.

I can’t accompany you. You might as well just go to the event.”

Mark’s smile returned.

Post-dinner, they drove back to the villa where Zoey anticipated Edwin’s arrival.

As Mark made to leave, Zoey approached him, her words firm.

“No alcohol for you. Keep an eye on Cecilia; ensure she’s treated right.”

Mark offered a reassuring smile.

“No need to worry, Mom.”

Zoey hesitated, her initial words dying on her lips, and instead, she exhaled a sigh.

“I’ve prepared your favorite snack. Some wontons with coriander.”

A moment of surprise flickered across Mark’s face.

Finally, he responded softly, “I’ll bring her back.”

He slid into his vehicle, the robust SUV offering an expansive view of the crimson horizon.

A craving for a cigarette tugged at him.

Yet, he refrained.

His health necessitated abstention from all harsh substances, tobacco and alcohol included. While such restrictions could render life lackluster for some, he found solace in Cecilia and their two beautiful children…

A gentle warmth touched Mark’s features.

Upon his arrival at the club, the evening vibrancy was palpable.

Peter awaited him at the entrance.

As the vehicle halted, Peter leaned in, his voice a whisper.

“Cecilia’s here. She’s unaware you’re coming.”

A smile tugged at Mark’s lips.

Together, they ventured into the private dining area, already occupied by a dozen individuals.

Except for the film crew, there were five investors.

Upon entry, Mark’s presence caught the attention of an acquaintance who initiated light conversation. It was Mark’s voice that caused Cecilia to divert her attention from her phone, her gaze Lifting.

It was him.

informed of Mark’s

attention discreetly

talk, but

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

was taking a fancy to Cecilia, prompting

ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not stand a chance this

was low, his ease in

direct response, he addressed someone

of my prospects, I’d relish an opportunity to discuss the script with Miss Fowler. Lately, this field intrigues me to make some

person stood up to make room, and Mark took the opportunity to sit beside her. With eleven people squeezing

pressed against Cecilia, acutely aware of the softness of her waist, though his expression revealed nothing of his internal

cigarette between his slender, pale fingers, not for smoking but perhaps as a social

handsome features complemented

him or pressure him into smoking

buzzed

focus when a tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of wine, slurring,

Her eyes lifted.

tension between appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting the Fowler name,

prospect of a Fowler daughter entertaining

without hesitation, but Simon’s faith and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big

of the

offered a poised

trust you’ll

a slender hand

It was Mark.

gasp

Mark’s audacity to casually touch a lady, and

next. There was

a silent, intense exchange held

onlookers grasped at once that this was no ordinary

locked with Cecilia’s, where an emotional storm seemed to

he asserted, “I’ll drink

motioned to take

Mark’s fragile health, she knew he

gulped down the

cheeks were a rosy hue post-drink, rendering her even more

Medina, the initial instigator,

of the moment, he was about to say something, but Mark interrupted him. He declared, his voice resonant, “I will fully fund

loss, but the realization that he’d crossed

the terrain, Roger observed Mark’s Lack of immediate action. Instead, Mark offered a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no need to vie with me

his wits,

relief, though cold

Mark engaged Roger in conversation, he effortlessly took control of the

apparent usurpation irked

silent protest, she consumed several more glasses of wine, her assistant’s attempts

darted towards Mark, aware of the history he

Mark sought to dissuade her, but he soon relented, allowing her to

quality, wouldn’t

Cecilia consumed half a bottle in the end, sufficient to impair her senses. As they prepared to depart, Mark assured her assistant, “I’ll ensure she gets home

though hesitant,

Cecilia was settled in the car, Peter made a move to accompany them but

the window ascended slowly, Mark’s gaze rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black hair cascaded freely, and she was adorned in a

blend of sophistication and

her face, Mark

murmurs, he surmised her emotional turmoil was the impetus behind her

ties with Thomas, was

but he steeled himself, recognizing their current reality as a divorced pair. Despite the uniqueness of this solitary moment, it

steered towards the house on

her current state would only distress Edwin

face, he murmured, “We’re

black SUV pulled up at the apartment’s

her eyes fluttering

are we?”

punctuated

leaning across to do the same for her, his

its

discomfort evident as she reclined, her

recall the place we

the closeness, Mark was enveloped

of her natural fragrance

dormant desire within

moment, Mark really wanted to hug

able

about it,” he whispered in

this apartment housed their most precious memories. He truly believed that

hand and gazed ahead, as though looking at something

smile broke on her face, which quickly disappeared as

remembering any of it?” she muttered to

said it again, and this time, her

opened the door on her side, and bent down to

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to

gust of chilly wind

in a hoarse voice, “Where can you

a strong kick, he shut the car door and headed towards the

Afraid that she would fall, she wrapped her arms

the elevator made its ascent, a

her nose. They had been in this elevator countless of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple who

the memories flashed before her

were times where she felt completely wasted, but there were also times

those two states was the great discomfort she felt

system could she dare to

roll down her

his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed

more than enough to make Mark’s

arrived at their apartment, he took out the key and opened the

Mark didn’t live here anymore, he still had

bedroom and gently lay

soft, her body was much

bent over the bed and gently brushed aside a stray lock of her long hair from

closed, and her

something adorable with the

a long time. Of course he wanted to hold her. After all, he was a man who

gently

Cecilia opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of this

look on his face

their lips were locked in

eyes widened, shocked by the suddenness of

this point, Mark was already completely turned on. Before she could even resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her head, while the weight of his body pressed her down, trapping

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