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 of Mark’s

mingled, his attention discreetly remained

liaison had stirred ample talk, but current company

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

appeared Mark was taking

is no ordinary woman. Mr. Evans

low, his

response, he addressed someone

of my prospects, I’d relish an opportunity to discuss the script

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

pressed against Cecilia, acutely aware of the softness of her waist, though his expression revealed

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

complemented

him or pressure him into smoking

buzzed with

offered her a glass of wine, slurring,

Her eyes lifted.

tension between appeasing wealthy

daughter entertaining the

her, and he used to be such a big help to her career… If her accepting the wine could

eyes of the crowd, Cecilia rose, glass

a

I trust you’ll honor

sip, a slender hand enveloped hers, steadying

It was Mark.

gasp filled

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

happened next. There was

silent, intense exchange held

onlookers grasped at once that this was

Cecilia’s, where an emotional

tone, he asserted, “I’ll drink it for

motioned to take the glass,

health, she knew he

down

rosy hue post-drink, rendering her even more

Medina, the initial instigator,

Fowler patriarch’s daughter but had also slighted Mark. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he was about to say something,

anxiety surged, mot over potential profit loss, but the realization that

subdued smile, advising,

his wits,

in relief, though cold sweat

in conversation, he effortlessly

usurpation

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

assistant’s glance darted towards Mark, aware

to dissuade her, but he soon relented, allowing

wine, of decent quality, wouldn’t induce

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

though hesitant,

accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead closed

black hair cascaded freely, and she was adorned in a simplistic

was a blend

Mark felt

murmurs, he surmised her emotional turmoil was

Thomas, was

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

steered towards the

her to the Evans villa in her current state would only distress Edwin

he murmured, “We’re

the black SUV

her eyes fluttering open to unfamiliar

we?” she

punctuated

same for her, his voice

its

as she reclined, her breathing shallow

recall the place

the closeness, Mark was enveloped by her

of her

desire within Mark quietly

really

he was able to

about it,”

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

hand and gazed ahead,

face, which quickly disappeared

remembering any

and this time, her

the car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up. At this point, she wasn’t completely inebriated yet

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to go

of chilly wind

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

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

no more strength left after drinking. Afraid that she would fall, she wrapped her arms around

a

nose. They had been in this elevator countless of times already, and it seemed

before her eyes, Cecilia’s eyes began

wasted, but there were also times she felt like she was

those two states was the

her system could she dare

began to roll down

head on his shoulder even more, feeling

this was more than enough to

they arrived at their apartment, he took

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

bedroom and gently lay her on

bed was soft, her body

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

eyes were closed, and

something adorable with the

held her for a long time. Of course he wanted to hold her. After all, he

gently

greeted by the sight of this large man whose eyes

his face was hard

second, their lips were locked in a gentle

widened, shocked by the suddenness of

had her wrists pinned above her head, while the

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