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.

been informed

his attention discreetly remained on

liaison had stirred ample talk, but current company seemed largely

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

taking

Fowler is no ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not

his

response, he addressed someone near

my prospects, I’d relish an opportunity to discuss the script with Miss Fowler.

Mark took the opportunity to sit beside her. With eleven people squeezing

against Cecilia, acutely aware of the softness of

slender, pale fingers, not for

complemented his

challenge him or pressure him into smoking or

room buzzed

offered her a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast from Miss Fowler shall guarantee

Her eyes lifted.

tension between appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting

daughter entertaining the

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

eyes of the

offered a

I trust you’ll

slender hand

It was Mark.

gasp filled the

were taken aback. Mark’s audacity to casually touch a lady, and not just

There was no slap, no rebuke

a silent, intense exchange held

onlookers grasped at once that this was no

with Cecilia’s, where

tone, he asserted, “I’ll

he motioned to take the glass,

fragile health, she knew he couldn’t afford even

gulped down the

were a rosy hue post-drink, rendering her even

Medina, the initial instigator, found his sobriety

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

over potential profit loss, but the realization that he’d

invest but wary of 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 this time. Aim for the next project. Simon has

regaining his wits, hastily

though cold sweat drenched his

conversation, he effortlessly

apparent usurpation irked

several more glasses

darted towards Mark, aware

to dissuade her, but

wine, of decent quality, wouldn’t induce immediate

end, sufficient to impair her senses. As they prepared to depart, Mark

though hesitant,

car, Peter made a move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy

gaze rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black

was a blend of

face, Mark felt its

Cecilia’s distressed murmurs, he surmised her emotional turmoil was the

severed ties with Thomas, was she nursing

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

indecision, Mark steered towards the house on

villa in her current state would only distress Edwin and

face, he murmured, “We’re heading

elapsed before the black SUV

her eyes

we?”

noise punctuated

to do the same for her, his voice a soft murmur,

its high

as she reclined, her breathing shallow

recall the place we once lived?”

the closeness, Mark was enveloped

a unique blend of her natural fragrance mingled

within Mark

this moment, Mark really wanted

able to

it,”

housed their most precious memories. He truly believed that she would never

gazed ahead, as though

her face, which quickly disappeared as she let out

any of it?” she muttered to

said it again, and this time, her voice

on her face. He got off the car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up. At this point, she wasn’t completely inebriated yet and still had some energy to

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to

gust of chilly wind blew past

face almost touching hers, and said in a hoarse voice,

strong kick, he shut the car

after drinking. Afraid that she would fall, she wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck and clung to

made its ascent, a glassy

already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they

her eyes, Cecilia’s eyes began to

completely wasted, but there

two states was the great

had alcohol in her system could she dare to bury her face in Mark’s

began to roll

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

was more than enough to make Mark’s heart

doors opened. As they arrived at their apartment, he took

didn’t live here

carried Cecilia into the bedroom and gently

soft, her

didn’t want to leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently brushed aside a stray lock of her long hair from her

eyes were closed, and her breathing was

with the

her for a long time. Of course he wanted to hold

gently called

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

look on his face

lips were locked in

shocked by the suddenness of

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

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