Mark obliged and snuffed out the cigarette, his eyes conveying a profound gaze as he asked the question he had long yearned to voice, "What about you? Do you like him?"

Cecilia's eyes welled up with tears, and she replied in a subdued tone, "Kind of.”

Mark realized she wasn't trying to piss him off.

She was simply accepting her fate and making the best of it.

She was willing to marry someone else if they treated Edwin well and were compatible in every way.

The pain he caused her had led her to give up and embrace her destiny.

Overwhelmed with heartache and conflicting emotions, Mark didn't know who to blame.

He stared at her for a long time before handing her his phone, his voice returning to calm with a trace of imperceptible tenderness.

"Call your mother and tell her you won't be going home for the time being.”

Cecilia froze.

"I'm not going out with you.”

Mark's voice softened as he explained, "I need to talk to you. If you don't want to, I'll call your mom myself. Cecilia, do you want this to happen?"

Tears streamed down Cecilia's cheeks as she felt humiliated, but she reluctantly called her mother.

Using Mark's phone, she couldn't lie, so she explained that she had something to discuss with him regarding Edwin and might return home later.

On the other end, Juliette remained silent for a while before instructing, "Put Mark on the phone."

Cecilia handed the phone to Mark, unaware of the conversation that ensued between him and Juliette.

In a low voice, Mark assured, "I know. | won't cross any boundaries.”

After a few more words, he hung up and placed the phone in the storage compartment.

The car started moving, and Cecilia leaned against the back of the seat, murmuring, "Mark, aren't you very busy?"

Mark chuckled as he held the steering wheel.

"Do you know my schedule?”

Cecilia retorted sarcastically, "You're always in the news, Mr. Evans. With your debonair charm, you're the center of attention wherever you go. It's hard for me not to know.”