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

his attention discreetly

had stirred ample talk, but current company

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

it appeared Mark was taking a fancy to Cecilia, prompting playful

ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not stand a chance

was low, his ease

a direct response, he addressed someone

relish an opportunity to discuss the script with Miss Fowler. Lately, this field intrigues

took the opportunity to sit beside her.

softness of her waist, though his expression revealed

slender, pale fingers,

complemented his

dare challenge him or pressure him into smoking

room buzzed with

mostly quiet, found herself the focus when a tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast from Miss Fowler shall guarantee funding for

Her eyes lifted.

appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting

of a Fowler daughter entertaining the

he used to be such a big

expectant eyes of the

offered a poised

trust you’ll

a slender hand

It was Mark.

collective gasp filled the

Mark’s audacity to casually touch a lady, and not just

There was no slap, no rebuke

a silent, intense

onlookers grasped at once that this was no

with Cecilia’s, where an emotional storm seemed to

he asserted,

motioned to take the

she knew he couldn’t

gulped down the wine

hue post-drink, rendering

the initial instigator, found his sobriety

also slighted Mark. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he was about to say something, but Mark interrupted him. He declared, his voice resonant, “I

profit loss, but the realization that he’d crossed Mark,

Mark offered a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no need to vie with me this time. Aim for the next project. Simon

regaining his wits, hastily

in relief, though cold sweat drenched his

Roger in conversation, he effortlessly took control of the

usurpation irked

protest, she consumed several more glasses of wine, her assistant’s attempts to intervene proving

darted towards Mark, aware of the history he

Mark sought to dissuade her, but he

quality, wouldn’t induce immediate

the end, sufficient to impair her senses. As they prepared to depart, Mark assured her assistant, “I’ll ensure

assistant, though hesitant,

the car, Peter made a move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead closed the

inebriated woman beside him. Her black hair cascaded freely, and she was adorned in a simplistic long dress, clutching an

blend of sophistication

face, Mark felt

murmurs, he surmised her emotional

severed ties with Thomas, was she nursing a

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

steered towards the house on

her to the Evans villa in her current state would

Cecilia’s face, he murmured,

minutes elapsed before the black SUV pulled up at

her eyes fluttering open to

are we?” she

noise punctuated

the same for her, his voice a soft

approached, its high beams

as she reclined, her breathing shallow

I recall the place we once

was enveloped

unique blend of her natural fragrance mingled with floral

dormant desire within

Mark really wanted

able

it,” he whispered

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

hand and gazed ahead, as though looking

a smile broke on her face, which quickly disappeared as she let out a forlorn

any of it?” she muttered

it again, and this time, her

whenever he saw that pitiful look on her face. He got off the car, opened the door on her side,

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want

chilly wind blew

closer, his face almost touching hers, and said in a hoarse

with a strong kick, he shut the

would fall, she wrapped

elevator made its ascent, a glassy look once

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

the memories flashed before her

wasted, but there

was the great discomfort she felt

she had alcohol in her system could she dare to bury her

to roll down her

pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed as

than enough

arrived at their apartment,

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

and

the bed was soft, her body

body in the bed, Mark didn’t want to leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently

were closed, and her

the way her chest rose

hadn’t held her for a long time. Of course he wanted to hold

gently called

and was greeted by the sight of this large man

look on his face was

second, their lips were locked

by the suddenness of it

this point, Mark was already completely turned on. Before she could even resist, he already had her wrists

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