Upon hearing her voice, Peter glanced up and was taken aback.

Though it had only been slightly over a month, Cecilia's appearance had significantly altered; she had lost a considerable amount of weight and looked weary.

Reacting swiftly, Peter rose from his seat and courteously pulled out a chair for Cecilia, attempting to speak in a composed and soothing manner. However, when she noticed the stack of documents, she directly inquired, "Is this his compensation for me?"

A sense of unease washed over Peter and he nodded after a moment's hesitation.

Gracefully turning a few pages of one document, Cecilia delicately toyed with the paper using her slender fingers. In a soft voice, she said, "Since this is merely a game between him and me, why must he shower me with such affection? | have no desire for these things.

Let him know that | won't pester him any longer."

Having spoken her piece, it seemed as though Cecilia had expended all her strength.

For a considerable duration, she found herself in a trance...

Uncle Mark...

She had called him Uncle Mark for so long. His gifts and promises had once convinced her that they would be together forever, that he would protect her always.

However, reality had not unfolded as she had hoped.

Instead, she discovered that she was nothing more than another one of his girlfriends...

Despite Peter's persistent efforts to persuade her, Cecilia remained reluctant to accept anything from Mark.

Returning to give his report, Peter found Mark standing before the French window in the hotel, his back turned to Peter. After a prolonged silence, Mark uttered, "| know."

Once Peter departed, Mark gazed down at the diamond ring in his hand.

Indeed, she was such an innocent girl.

How could she accept whatever he was trying to compensate her with?

Mark had never realized the extent of his love for someone. He managed fine at work, but in his free moments, Cecilia consumed his every dream. In crowded places, he would unconsciously look around, and even amidst socializing with Charlie and others, he would cast a glance at the bronze gate, as though expecting his little girl to appear any second.

He envisioned her tear-streaked face calling him Uncle Mark.

After much time had passed, Mark came to the painful realization that moving on from

Cecilia was an immensely challenging task...

About a week later, fate brought them together once again. It happened at a dinner party in Duefron.