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 of Mark’s

attention discreetly

stirred ample talk, but current company seemed

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

it appeared Mark was taking a

Mr. Evans might not stand a chance

chuckle was low, his

a direct response, he

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

as the person stood up to make room, and Mark took the opportunity to sit beside her. With eleven people squeezing into ten seats, the proximity

acutely aware of the softness of

mingling, he held a cigarette between his slender, pale fingers, not for smoking but perhaps

handsome features complemented

would dare challenge him or pressure him into

buzzed

tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast from Miss Fowler

Her eyes lifted.

caught in the tension between appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting the Fowler name,

daughter entertaining

and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big help to

of the crowd,

a poised

I trust you’ll honor

to sip, a slender hand enveloped hers,

It was Mark.

collective gasp filled the

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

next. There was no

intense exchange held between

that this was no

locked with Cecilia’s, where an emotional

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

to take the glass,

fragile health, she knew

gulped down the

rosy hue post-drink,

Medina, the initial instigator, found his sobriety

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

over potential profit loss, but the realization that

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

though cold sweat drenched his

conversation, he effortlessly took control of the

apparent usurpation irked

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

Mark, aware of the

sought to dissuade her, but he

quality,

half a bottle in the end, sufficient to impair her senses. As

though

was settled in the car, Peter made a move to accompany them but

ascended slowly, Mark’s gaze rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black hair cascaded freely,

profile was a blend of

Mark felt

murmurs, he surmised her emotional turmoil was the

severed ties with Thomas,

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

indecision, Mark steered towards the house

in her current state would only distress Edwin and earn Zoey’s

caressing Cecilia’s face, he

black SUV pulled up at

the halt, her eyes fluttering open

we?”

noise punctuated the

her, his voice

vehicle approached, its

eyes, discomfort evident as she

the place we once lived?” she

the closeness, Mark was enveloped

was a unique blend of her

desire within Mark quietly

this moment, Mark really wanted

was able to

about it,” he whispered in her

most precious memories.

hand and gazed ahead, as though

on her face, which

any of it?” she muttered to

and this time, her

car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up.

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want

chilly wind blew

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

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 look once

seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple who snuck out and dated in secret every

her eyes,

wasted, but there were also times she felt like she

between those two states was the great discomfort she felt right

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

began to roll

Mark,” she murmured. Then, she pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed as she sobbed like a

was more than enough to

apartment, he took out the key and opened the

the same. Although Mark didn’t live here

the bedroom and gently lay her

was soft, her body was much

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

eyes were closed, and her breathing

the way her chest rose and

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

he gently called

Cecilia opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight

look on his face was

were

shocked by the suddenness of it

resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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