Given Melissa's circumstances, her residing here made sense.

Marcus leaned on his car and smoked half a cigarette before deciding to head upstairs to have a look.

Just then, he heard a gentle voice. “Marcus, were you and her once close?"

Marcus' brow creased slightly.

He glanced over and noticed Violette not too far away.

She wore a blouse and wool skirt, seemingly indifferent to the cold weather. Shivering, she pressed Marcus for answers. In Marcus's perspective, Violette didn't hold a significant place in his life.

Despite the appearance of their relationship, he had yet to show her any gesture of affection, such as kisses or hugs.

Violette, for her part, tried not to come across as too demanding or forceful.

Her mother had advised her that being with a man as powerful as Marcus required overlooking certain things now and then, or else their marriage wouldn't stand the test of time.

But Violette felt that without a straightforward response from Marcus, their relationship had no real future to begin with.

While Violette was absorbed in her thoughts, Marcus shot her an indifferent gaze. He understood exactly what was going through her mind.

Meanwhile, he mused over the possibility that if Melissa hadn't returned, he and Violette might have ended up married. But such a union would lack genuine happiness for both of them.

But Melissa had indeed returned.

Despite his feelings of animosity towards her, he also knew that he still loved her.

Soon after, Marcus came to a decision. He opened the back door of the car and instructed Violette to enter.

"I'll take you home," he said in a firm voice.

In the brisk moonlit night, Violette hesitated only for a moment before she complied and got into the car.

Marcus drove very fast.

In under twenty minutes, he had the car stopped inside the Finch family's driveway. Given the late hour, it wasn't the best time for visits but Marcus still followed Violette into the mansion.

The Finch household staff quickly took notice of his arrival and discreetly informed Violette's parents.