As Mark was checking his watch, planning to leave early, his secretary entered with a smile.

"Mr. Evans, there's a lady here to see you."

Mark closed the office blinds and asked nonchalantly, “A client?"

"No, I don't think so," his secretary replied, shaking her head.

"She mentioned her surname is Shaw."

Was it Elaine?

Mark's brow creased. He hadn't expected Elaine to be so persistent, especially after he'd given no encouragement.

Preferring not to meet her, he instructed his secretary, "Please tell her I'm unavailable."

The secretary, noticing an unusual hint of aversion on Mark's typically composed face, pondered for a moment. She remembered Elaine being a well-known actress.

She speculated that perhaps Elaine was trying to get close to Mark for personal gains.

Peter, overhearing the exchange, joined them, wiping sweat from his brow.

He had just seen Elaine waiting outside in a thinning white dress, despite the chilly weather, and couldn't believe her boldness.

Rubbing his temple, Peter commented, "I really underestimated her."

He figured Elaine must have done her homework on Mark's marital status to dare such a bold move.

Peter sighed at her naivety.

Although Mark had a reputation as a ladies’ man in his youth, he had always associated with respectable women. He wouldn't entertain the advances of someone like Elaine, who was known to be kept by some rich men.

Besides, everything about Elaine paled in comparison to Cecilia's grace.

Peter, trailing behind Mark, closed the office door and joined him in the elevator.

Breaking the silence, Peter suggested, "I still need to handle Chandler. Perhaps I could apply some pressure?"

Mark, straightening his shirt in front of the mirror-like wall, remained expressionless.