Chapter 2221 “I can't even bring myself to raise my voice at her, and you think you have the right to humiliate her? Vanessa, there's no second chance for you.” With a definitive slam, he shut the car door, accidentally trapping Vanessa's fingers briefly, turning them purple.

Edwin then drove off, leaving behind a trail of Vanessa's curses.

About five minutes later, Edwin received an angry call from Mark.

“You idiot, do you think marriage is a game? Cancelling an engagement just like that? Get back here right now!” Mark's voice was laden with fury.

Edwin's grip on the steering wheel was tight, betraying the tension that contrasted with his seemingly casual tone.

“It's already what it is. My coming back won't change anything,” he said.

On the other end of the phone, Mark cursed in frustration, “Damn it!" Annoyed, Edwin ended the call abruptly. He pulled up to a red light, his car halting with a screech. As he watched the numbers on the traffic signal count down, his gaze was distant, lost in thought.

ANGELA'sLIBRARY He had made an effort.

After breaking up with Laura, he had tried to move on with Vanessa.

But even her beauty left him feeling nothing. The thought of a lifetime with her, even in a distant, separate living arrangement, didn't appeal to him.

He couldn't fathom having children with her.

Laura had been his first and only significant romantic experience.

They had shared many firsts. Everything had felt right with her, and he had never seriously considered anyone else. Perhaps his lack of interest in other relationships stemmed from being wholly satisfied by her.

Leaning back, Edwin's head thudded softly against the headrest.

A honk from a car behind him snapped him back to reality as the light turned green.

He drove on, reaching his company’s parking lot.

After parking, he hesitated for a moment before dialing Laura's number. She didn't answer, leaving him to wonder if she was upset or crying.

Running his fingers over his phone, Edwin was a mix of annoyance and confusion.

He decided to call Alexis. The phone was answered promptly.

“Take Laura out for dinner,” he said tersely.

Alexis responded with a light chuckle, “Why should I spending time cheering your girl?” Edwin's tone was frigid as he spoke. \

Chapter 2222 “Marcus has always been after a certain oil drilling project, hasn't he? I'll let him have it." Alexis, intrigued, asked, “But why should I get involved? That's a gain for Marcus.” Edwin's frustration was palpable.

“Just name your price, I'll meet it” Alexis agreed, much to his relief.

After the call, he sat lost in thought.

He knew his love for Laura was genuine, yet he also recognized the limitations of what he could offer her. Even without Vanessa in the picture, a future together seemed unattainable.

Walking into the company, he was met by Tina's surprised look.

She had expected him to be with Miss Smith for her wedding dress fitting.

Removing his coat, Edwin walked into his office.

“Bring me the file for the Zenith Corporation partnership.” Tina nodded.

While fetching the documents, she mused to herself about how love troubles often turned men into workaholics.

She returned with a substantial stack of paperwork.

Edwin delved into it, working until Tina reappeared at day's end with a complicated look.

“Mr. Evans, your father called. He's inviting you to dinner.” Without glancing up, Edwin quipped, “Has he become that gentle now?” Tina, feeling uneasy, hesitated.

Edwin prompted her to repeat Mark's message. Taking a deep breath, she relayed, “Mr. Evans said, ‘Tell that bastard son of mine to roll back here!™ Her delivery was hesitant, almost fearful of Edwin's reaction.

Edwin closed the file with an air of composure.

“That sounds more like him,” he commented, prompting a weak smile from Tina.

As he prepared to leave, Tina quietly informed him, “Miss Smith called several times. I told her you were unavailable.” Pausing, Edwin replied with a hint of appreciation, “Tina, you've just earned yourself a raise.”

Chapter 2223 Her face lit up with excitement.

He then made his way downstairs, got into his car, and drove home.

At home, Mark was dining with Cecilia, his tone reminiscent of his gentler, younger days. Edwin settled casually at the table and asked the maid for a plate. Midway through his meal, he caught his father’s stern gaze.

With a chuckle, Edwin teased, “Dad, you're always hovering around Duefron these days. Ever thought of checking in at Czanch? Olivia might be dating someone in secret while you're away.” Mark, unamused, shot back, “Don’t bring Olivia into this. You promised Grandma you'd settle down and continue the family line." Cecilia, unaware of the whole story, offered Edwin a piece of fish, glancing at her husband.

“Isn't this just a small lovers’ spat? We had our fair share of breakups back in the day. Maybe you should do some self-reflection.” Visibly irked, Mark pointed at Edwin.

And stop hiding behind your mother. You're 26! It’s time to stand on your

now, capable of his own decisions and mistakes.” Cecilia inquired, “What's he done now?” Mark, feeling somewhat embarrassed to discuss it, didn’t answer and instead hastily made his

back to Edwin and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry about him. He's just experiencing a midlife crisis.” Finishing his meal at

sorry, Mom,” he

the situation, responded, “It's

really want you to rush into

father upstairs, Cecilia, still concerned, called out, “Try to have a nice

Edwin nodded in acknowledgment.

walked in, Mark sarcastically commented, “Relying on your mother has certainly made you confident! If you're so brave, then stop using her as a shield.” For

“What's happening

fan of Vanessa, but in some way, he believed Edwin's

was

keen insight, lit a cigarette and pointed at Edwin, demanding an

make me wait!" Unfazed, Edwin mirrored his father’s actions, lighting his

drag and replied calmly, “We do not have feelings for each other anymore, so we ended it” “Bullshit!

demeanor shifted to a

locked the door, and then

me to say, Dad? That I'm only in love with Laura? That I want to be with her, have children with her, and that I have no interest in Vanessa? Or should I admit that marrying Vanessa ‘would be a mistake, and

lost your mind?" Despite his father’s outburst, Edwin

weren't for that, I might be happily married to someone else by now, not trapped in these feelings.” Mark's

you to use her or toy with her emotions.” “Dad, I'm not playing games,” Edwin whispered, his voice soft but

years, Edwin had shown little interest in women, to

now, it was clear that Edwin,

“I can't accept this. Not just for your sake, Edwin, but for our family’s, and for Laura's too. Think about it. If she joins our family and clashes with your mother,

Dad? Have you ever considered that this might be the only love I'll ever have in my

more composed than

be, Dad. I'll sort out my own issues after Laura's married.” Mark was taken aback by

facade, but now, Mark could see not just pain but also

a poignant moment

His voice softened.

his children, but this

just leave it there.”

was waiting,

father had called her,

serious approach to this potential

the situation and as a mother perceiving Edwin's lack of feelings

about family backgrounds. As long as

mother, aware that the woman he loved was Likely

rest,” he said

ascended the stairs, Cecilia's eyes followed him,

disappeared from view, she went into the study where she found Mark, smoking one cigarette after

cigarette from his hand, she admonished softly, “You should smoke less, for your health.” Mark closed his eyes, a gesture of silent agreement,

a low voice, she informed him, “Thomas called. He wants to

see him.

ventured cautiously, “Mark, are you and Edwin keeping something from me? Mark tenderly caressed her head, offering a gentle

of the sort; don’t overthink it." The next day, at Duefron’s most high-end restaurant, Thomas had arranged a

past relationship, though not culminating in marriage, had ended

to discuss the affairs

“Thomas, I understand why you've asked to meet today, but Edwin isn't a child. Some decisions aren't ours to make.

moment to consider his words before

Fowler, and Smith families would be significant.” Slightly flustered, Cecilia responded, “I'm not really into the business side of things. Mark rarely discusses such matters with me.” Thomas was taken

the years, deep down, Cecilia remained that sweet and innocent girl, uninvolved

mood, he said, “Perhaps I was being too materialistic.” His thoughts then drifted to Laura. After Vanessa had mentioned her, his

deeper connection between her and

with Laura, they would certainly oppose it,

Cecilia, Thomas found himself struggling to reveal such news

away from

home, Cecilia told Mark

of substance to share about the conversation she had with Thomas, instead mentioning the pleasantness of the restaurant and the remarkable dishes of the new

Cecilia replied, “We did have our

the moment, he then scooped Cecilia up

playful resistance was met with

her clothes, he

passionate expression of their love — Afterwards, Cecilia playfully scolded him as she pinched his waist, “You really got carried away!” She contemplated taking a

bedside table, applying it gently to

a bit too enthusiastic, just a bit jealous after your lunch date with another man.” Cecilia felt a surge of warmth in

her

has someone special in his heart. Has he spoken to you about this?" Mark's

discussing such matters with Cecilia

the potential fallout this revelation could

made a discreet

understand,” came the reply from the

family’s company stocks took

harsh criticism due to rumors of the Evans’ overseas

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