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.

hadn’t been informed of Mark’s

attention discreetly remained on

liaison had stirred ample talk, but current company seemed largely

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

it appeared Mark was taking

Fowler is no ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not stand

chuckle was low, his ease in

he addressed

script with Miss Fowler. Lately, this

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

the softness of her

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

handsome features complemented his

one would dare challenge him or pressure him into smoking or

room buzzed with

a glass of wine, slurring,

Her eyes lifted.

appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting the Fowler

daughter

hesitation, but Simon’s faith and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big help to her career… If her accepting the wine could secure the investment, pride had

of the crowd, Cecilia rose, glass in

a poised

I trust you’ll

a slender hand enveloped hers, steadying

It was Mark.

gasp

a lady, and

was no slap, no

intense

at once that this was

Cecilia’s, where an emotional storm seemed

a hushed tone, he asserted, “I’ll drink it

he motioned to take the glass, Cecilia’s reflexes

she knew he couldn’t

gulped down the wine

hue post-drink,

Medina, the initial instigator, found his sobriety hastening

daughter but had also slighted Mark. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he was

the realization that he’d crossed Mark, a man renowned for

immediate action. Instead, Mark offered a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no

his wits,

though cold

conversation, he effortlessly took control

apparent usurpation irked

consumed several more glasses

darted towards Mark, aware of the history

dissuade her, but he soon relented, allowing her to

decent quality,

Cecilia consumed half a bottle in the end, sufficient to impair her senses. As they prepared to depart, Mark assured her

though

Cecilia was settled in the car, Peter made a move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead

rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black hair cascaded freely, and she

blend

face, Mark felt its feverish

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

ties with Thomas, was she nursing a

reality as a divorced pair. Despite the uniqueness of this solitary moment, it

a spell of indecision, Mark steered

current state

he

elapsed before the black SUV pulled up at the apartment’s

halt, her eyes fluttering open to

we?”

noise punctuated the

belt, leaning across to do the same for her, his voice a soft

its high

discomfort evident as she reclined, her breathing

don’t I recall the place we once lived?”

closeness, Mark was enveloped

unique blend of her natural

desire within

this moment, Mark really wanted to hug

he was able to restrain

about it,” he whispered in her

precious memories. He truly believed that she would never forget

down her hand and gazed ahead,

which quickly disappeared as she let

remembering any of it?” she muttered

said it again, and this time, her voice almost

the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up. At this point, she

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want

of chilly wind blew

almost touching hers, and said in a hoarse voice, “Where can you

with a strong kick, he shut the

fall, she wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck and clung to

the elevator made its ascent, a glassy look once again pervaded

countless of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple who snuck out and dated in

flashed before her eyes, Cecilia’s

completely wasted, but there were also

two states was the

when she had alcohol in her system could she dare to

roll

Mark,” she murmured. Then, she pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling

than enough to make Mark’s

arrived at their apartment, he took

had remained the same. Although Mark didn’t live here anymore, he still had someone clean it once

the bedroom and

was soft, her

to leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently brushed aside a stray lock

closed, and her breathing was

with the

long time. Of course he wanted to

gently

by the sight of this large man whose eyes were burning with

look on his face was

were locked in a

eyes widened, shocked by

she could even resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her head, while the weight of his body pressed

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