Avoiding a confrontation with her, Mark gave her one last warning, “If you've got a moral compass, you shouldn't have hurt that kid!"

With that, Mark departed with his companions.

Cathy called out to his retreating figure, "Mark! She's my child!"

Mark came to a halt.

Then he said quietly, "She is not! She's Paul's child, and she is quite unlike you."

Laura's innocent gaze held no cunning plots within.

Children embodied purity, and Laura shouldn't be swayed by Cathy.

Mark walked away decisively, leaving Cathy alone, her smile tinged with self-mockery.

She chuckled at her hopeful imagination. Even a child could not keep

Mark by her side.

Mark boarded his private jet, and his mood soured.

Peter was the kindest and most thoughtful of them all. Pouring a glass of red wine, he passed it to Mark, seated beside him, and grinned, remarking, “Cathy picked her path. She can't blame anyone else."

Cathy stirred up so much trouble that her family couldn't welcome her anymore, believing she had disgraced them. It could be said that the people around her had distanced themselves from her.

Mark didn't sip the wine, declining with a charming gesture, straightening his shirt.

"Peter, she wasn't always this way. Once, she was reasonable and kind."

He seemed to drift into his world of thoughts.

“Love can sometimes make people lose their way."

Peter knew how to cheer Mark up and quickly responded, "That's not always the case! Take Cecilia, for example. Her love for you is deep, yet she doesn't compromise her values. Her career thrives. She's your ideal one."

Mark gave him a look.

Peter felt puzzled and asked, “Did I say something incorrect?"