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.

hadn’t been informed of

mingled, his attention

liaison had stirred ample talk, but current company seemed largely oblivious

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

rest, it appeared Mark was taking

Fowler is no ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not stand

low, his ease in such scenarios

a direct response, he addressed someone

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

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

of the softness of her waist, though his expression revealed nothing of his

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

handsome features complemented his formidable

no one would dare challenge him or pressure him into

room buzzed with

a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast

Her eyes lifted.

wealthy patrons

of a Fowler daughter

but Simon’s faith and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big help to her career… If her accepting the wine could secure the investment, pride had

the expectant eyes of the

offered a

I trust you’ll

sip, a slender hand enveloped

It was Mark.

collective gasp

casually touch a lady, and not just any, but

Nothing happened next. There was no slap, no rebuke

a silent, intense exchange

at once that this was no ordinary

with Cecilia’s, where

asserted, “I’ll

he motioned to take the glass, Cecilia’s

health, she knew

gulped down the

cheeks were a rosy hue

the initial instigator, found his sobriety hastening

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

potential profit loss, but the realization that he’d

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

regaining his wits, hastily

in relief, though

Mark engaged Roger in conversation, he

usurpation irked

glasses of wine, her assistant’s attempts

assistant’s glance darted towards Mark, aware of the history he shared with

to dissuade her, but

of decent quality,

As they prepared to depart, Mark assured her assistant,

though hesitant,

but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead closed the car door

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

blend of

face, Mark felt its

murmurs, he surmised her emotional turmoil

ties with Thomas, was

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

indecision, Mark steered towards the

in her current state would only distress Edwin and earn

he murmured,

SUV pulled up at the

halt, her eyes fluttering

are we?”

noise punctuated the

to do the same for her, his voice a soft murmur, “It’s the place we once called

its high beams

eyes, discomfort evident as she reclined, her breathing shallow and

place we

closeness, Mark was enveloped by

a unique blend of her natural

dormant desire within Mark

moment, Mark really wanted to hug

able

forget about it,” he

housed their most precious memories. He truly

hand and gazed ahead, as though looking

while, a smile broke on her face, which quickly disappeared

of remembering any of it?”

again, and this time, her voice almost

that pitiful look on her face. He got off the car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to

chilly

almost touching hers, and said in a hoarse voice, “Where can

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

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

elevator made its ascent, a

pleasant smell wafted up her nose. They had been in this elevator countless of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple who snuck

flashed before her eyes, Cecilia’s

times where she felt completely wasted, but there were also times she felt

states was the great

she had alcohol in her system could she dare

to roll down

pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling

this was more than enough to make

apartment, he took out the

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

Cecilia into the bedroom and gently lay

the bed was soft, her body was

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

eyes were closed, and

was something adorable with the way her

wanted to hold her.

gently called

by the sight

his face was hard to

lips were locked in

by

could even resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her head,

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