Undeterred, Mark offered a slow smile before addressing Flora, saying, “It appears you are at fault, Flora. Bestow upon her your autograph, so she may return home content.”


    Flora, showing wisdom, promptly extracted a fragrant photograph from her handbag and gracefully signed her name upon it. She then handed it to Cecilia yfully, remarking, “Your Uncle Mark is absolutely right. It’s my fault.”


    Cecilia expressed her gratitude softly, avoiding Mark’s gaze, which remained fixed on her.


    As Cecilia prepared to depart, Mark intended to arrange for someone to escort her home.


    “No need,” Cecilia declined with a shake of her head. “I drove here.”


    Mark offered no further words. He reached out as if to caress her hair, but eventually refrained, offering a gentle smile. “Drive safely.”


    Cecilia nodded, turned and made her exit.


    Throughout the encounter, no usations or resentments surfaced between them, for Cecilia and Mark were far from being a couple, and she had no right at all to be mad at him.


    She had no right to even harbor romantic feelings for him.


    The grand bronze gates glided shut slowly.


    Mark found himself surrounded by numerous women.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Meanwhile, Cecilia stood alone, her figure elongated by the luminous crystal chandelier above the hallway.


    Back in the box, merriment resumed.


    Flora, ever devoted, continued to pamper and attend to Mark tenderly. Charlie and the others engaged in yful banter. “You should have kept the little girl with you. Mark, she’s like your own daughter. How can you bear to let her go?”


    Mark responded casually and jocrly to theirments.


    Yet, inwardly, he felt perturbed, a sentiment he should not entertain.


    Being single, he had every right to socialize but his actions were now witnessed by Cecilia.


    She wasn’t his girlfriend and he should have felt unbound by her opinions. Nheless, a nagging unease persisted within him.


    “I’ve had enough of this game.”


    With a decisive gesture, Mark brought the card game to a close.


    The room fell silent.


    Momentster, Flora forced a smile and tenderly suggested, “Feeling uneasy? Come to my ce and I’ll give you a massage… You’re just working yourself too hard.”