Marcus looked up at Elva, concern in his eyes.
Without hesitation, Elva continued, âThey said they want their daughter back and that once they find her, theyâll hold you responsible.
â
Marcus turned to his father for a response.
With a feigned smile, Waylen began serving food to his son.
âMarcus, donât worry, even though I donât typically get involved in company matters anymore, Iâm more than capable of handling those Smith brothers.
Actually, your mother could handle them on her own.
â
Rena cast a discreet glance at Waylen.
Waylen snorted dismissively.
âI wonât do anything to them for now, for Melissaâs sake.
â
Hoping for acknowledgment, Waylen had intended to ask for credit, but Marcus responded firmly, âDonât do it for Melissaâs, or anyone elseâs sake.
If they return, just drive them away.
â
Waylenâs expression became inscrutable, his eyes revealing a mix of emotions.
After a momentary lull, he questioned, âAre you not interested in marrying her?â
Marcus, not in the mood for dinner anymore, stood up and walked outside.
He stated firmly as he walked, âMelissaâs surname is Brown, not Smith.
Our family never had, and never will have, any connection with the Smiths, and we donât need them trying to get close to us.
â
Marcus was acutely aware of the Smith familyâs true intentions.
While they claimed to want their daughter back, in reality, they merely sought connections with the Fowler family.
However, Marcus knew this was an impossibility.
As Marcus opened the car door and settled in, he couldnât help but reflect on how things might have been different with Melissa if it werenât for the Smith familyâs interference.
Perhaps she wouldnât have been so distant, and he wouldnât have misunderstood her.
Anxiety creeping in, Marcus started the car and drove away.
Back in the living room, Rena spoke gently.
âYou really touched a nerve with Marcus.
â
Waylen sighed, a habit he would normally accompany with a cigarette, but he refrained due to his wife and daughterâs presence.
After a while, he confided, âWhen I went upstairs earlier, I found Marcus leaning against the sofa.
That look on his face⦠Rena⦠itâs rare for me to see Marcus like that.
He hasnât let go of Melissa or moved on.
â
Rena nodded, sharing her husbandâs concern.
Marcus drove to his apartment, lost in his thoughts.
After parking the car, Marcus made his way to the security room located next to the elevator.
He offered a cigarette to the security guard and took a drag alongside him.
Only then did Marcus casually inquire, âHas my ex-girlfriend visited here in the past six months?
She left something behind when she left.
â
The security guard immediately recognized the prominent figure standing before him.
Marcus was a well-known figure in Duefron, and the security guard realized he had a unique opportunity to brag about sharing a smoke with him.
He concentrated hard, trying to recollect, and eventually replied, âI donât recall her coming by during my shifts.
As for the times I wasnât on duty, I couldnât say.
â
The security guard was forthright in his response.
He continued, reminiscing, âI still remember that night about six months ago, when she left early in the morning.
I was on duty that night.
She seemed profoundly upset, sobbing incessantly.
Her clothes were drenched, and she was shivering.
Mr.
Fowler, you canât treat your girlfriend like that no matter what.
Women are like delicate flowers, finest creations of God.
Men should love and cherish themâ¦â