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

mingled, his attention discreetly remained on

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

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

taking

Mr. Evans might not stand a

chuckle was low, his ease in such

response, he

discuss the script with Miss Fowler. Lately, this

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

aware of the softness of her waist, though his expression revealed

slender, pale fingers, not for

complemented his formidable

him or

room buzzed

focus when a tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of

Her eyes lifted.

the tension between appeasing wealthy patrons and respecting the

a Fowler daughter entertaining the investor

to her, and he used to be such a big help to her career…

the crowd, Cecilia rose, glass

offered a

I trust you’ll honor

to sip, a slender hand

It was Mark.

gasp filled the

Mark’s audacity to casually touch a lady, and

next. There was

intense exchange held between

once that this was

with Cecilia’s, where an

a hushed tone, he asserted, “I’ll

motioned to take the glass, Cecilia’s reflexes kicked

she knew

gulped down the

a rosy hue post-drink,

initial instigator, found

the 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

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

smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no need to vie with me this time. Aim for the next project. Simon has an abundance

his wits, hastily

exhaled in relief, though cold sweat

in conversation, he effortlessly took control of

usurpation

she consumed several more glasses of wine,

aware of the history he shared with

her, but he soon relented, allowing

of decent quality, wouldn’t induce

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

though

car, Peter made a move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead closed the car

Mark’s gaze rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black hair cascaded freely, and she was adorned in a simplistic

was a blend of sophistication and

her face, Mark felt its feverish

emotional turmoil was the impetus

severed ties with Thomas, was she nursing a

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

indecision, Mark steered towards the house on Gamous

her current state would only distress Edwin and

he

before the black SUV pulled

the halt, her eyes fluttering

we?” she inquired,

noise punctuated the

her, his

vehicle approached, its high beams

eyes, discomfort evident as she reclined, her breathing

don’t I recall the place

Mark was enveloped by her

unique blend of her natural fragrance mingled with floral

desire within Mark

this moment, Mark really wanted to

was able to restrain

forget about it,” he whispered

apartment housed their most precious memories. He truly

put down her hand and gazed ahead, as though looking at something far

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

any

said it again, and this time, her

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

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to

chilly wind blew

said in a hoarse voice, “Where

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

Afraid that she would fall, she wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck

the elevator made its ascent, a

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

memories flashed before her eyes, Cecilia’s

there were also times she felt

common denominator between those two states was the great discomfort she

in her system could she dare to bury her face

to roll down

Then, she pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed as

more than enough to make Mark’s

they arrived at their apartment, he took out the key and opened

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

the bedroom and

was soft, her

body in the bed, Mark didn’t want to leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently brushed aside a

were closed, and

with the way her chest rose

hadn’t held her for a long time. Of course he wanted to hold her. After all, he was a

gently called

the sight of this large

face

second, their lips were locked in a gentle

shocked by the suddenness

point, Mark was already completely turned on. Before she could even resist, he already had her wrists pinned

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