The two young lovebirds needed time to sort things out; after all, who could guarantee it would all work out?

Mark dismissed Edwin with a casual wave of his hand and muttered, "You're a nuisance! Go and see your Mom. She thinks you were out gallivanting last night, claiming you've gone wayward and lost your decency."

Edwin simply laughed, further infuriating Mark.

“Get lost! You rascal!"

Edwin proceeded to console Cecilia.

Unexpectedly, he then received a call from Vanessa.

Edwin's demeanor remained frosty as he replied, “Vanessa, let's part amicably. Or rather, we can say we never truly began. My father's going against the Smith family has ceased. You don't need to plead for mercy anymore."

He was about to disconnect the call.

Vanessa hastily interjected, "Edwin, I'm in Czanch."

She mumbled, “I'm standing at the gates of your home."

Edwin felt exasperation welling up within him.

His voice took on a frigid edge as he remarked, “Vanessa, we were never at that stage, were we? Why make things awkward for both of us?"

With that, Edwin ended the call, choosing not to entertain her any further.

He had expected her to fade away after being rebuffed.

That evening, a servant discreetly whispered something in Edwin's ear during dinner.

Edwin's expression underwent a subtle shift.

The servant conveyed that Vanessa had spent the entire day squatting at the gates of Evans Gardon. She was thinly dressed, devoid of identification or money, and appeared resolute in her determination to gain entry.

Edwin responded in a hushed tone, "I'll go take a look."

He left the dining table, where Cecilia and young Olivia were enjoying their meal. With a hint of teasing, Mark quipped, "Did you get yourself into trouble? Has some woman just come to seek her child's father?"

Edwin nonchalantly patted his trousers and replied, “Dad, rest assured, I'm as pure as they come. I don't entangle myself with other women."