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

attention discreetly remained

but current company seemed largely

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

Mark was taking a fancy to Cecilia, prompting playful

woman. Mr. Evans might not stand

his ease in

he addressed someone near

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

stood up to make room, and Mark took the opportunity

of

a cigarette between his slender, pale fingers, not for

complemented his

challenge him or

room buzzed with

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

Her eyes lifted.

wealthy patrons and

a Fowler daughter

and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big help to her career… If her accepting

eyes of the crowd,

offered a poised

Medina, I trust you’ll honor

to sip, a slender

It was Mark.

gasp filled

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

There was no slap, no

intense

once that this was

where

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

take the glass,

health, she knew he couldn’t afford even a

gulped down the wine

rosy hue post-drink, rendering her

initial instigator,

Fowler patriarch’s daughter but had 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 will

loss, but the realization that

of immediate action. Instead, Mark offered a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no need to vie

his wits,

in relief, though cold sweat drenched his

he effortlessly took control of the

usurpation irked

several more glasses

towards Mark, aware of the

her, but he

quality,

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

assistant, though hesitant,

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

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

blend

face, Mark felt its

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

with Thomas, was she

Mark, but he steeled himself, recognizing their current reality as a divorced

steered towards

villa in her current state would only distress

he

before the black SUV pulled up

her

are we?” she inquired,

noise punctuated the

to do the same for her,

approached, its

as she reclined, her breathing

the place

was

a unique blend of her natural

dormant desire within

Mark really

he was able to restrain

won’t forget about it,” he

their most precious memories. He truly believed that

her hand and gazed ahead, as though looking at

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

point of remembering any of it?” she

this

couldn’t help but feel saddened whenever he saw that pitiful look 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

“No! I won’t go!

want to

chilly wind blew past

hers, and said in a

the car door and

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

elevator made its ascent, a glassy look

of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple

the memories flashed before her eyes, Cecilia’s eyes began

completely wasted, but there were also times she felt like

two states was the great discomfort she felt right

in her system could she dare

to roll down her

on his shoulder even more,

was more than enough

As they arrived at their apartment, he

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

bedroom and gently lay her on the

was soft, her body was

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

and her

something adorable with the way her chest rose

he wanted to hold her. After all, he was

he gently called her

Cecilia opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of this large man whose eyes were

face was

second, their lips were locked in a gentle

shocked by the suddenness

already completely turned on. Before she could even resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her head,

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