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    Debra stood with a calm demeanor, her voice steady as she spoke, "This is between Marion and Cathryn. We shouldn''t interfere."


    "But Marion likes you," Erica insisted, throwing her hands up in frustration. "Cathryn is just causing a scene. Marion never once said he wanted to marry her or even liked her. She''s just putting on a show, acting like she''s the victim. Didn''t you see how those passersby looked at you?"


    They acted as if Debra had done something bad to Cathryn, though the whole thing had nothing to do with her. Erica stomped her feet and continued, "If it weren''t for her father, Marion wouldn''t have paid her any attention." Debra shrugged, but her gaze betrayed her as she nced at Marion and Cathryn.


    Cathryn attempted to grab Marion''s arm, but he deftly sidestepped her.


    "Do you dislike me touching you that much?" she asked, dropping her eyes.


    Marion replied indifferently, "I promised Shawn that you''d be safe for the rest of your life, but if you keep pushing me, I''ll have to break that promise."


    Cathryn recoiled, her bravado faltering. She knew that Marion wasn''t one to make empty threats.


    When her father was alive, he often called upon Marion to deal with troublesome individuals.


    Marion defied the rules. He wasn''t known for his patience or mercy.


    He turned to Randy and said, "Take Miss Bernard back."


    Randy blinked, confused. "Back where?"


    Marion shot him a look, and understanding dawned on Randy''s face. "Oh, you mean back abroad? But that''s out of the question."


    Marion frowned, his impatience growing. Before he could press the issue, Cathryn interjected awkwardly, "I sold my house abroad."


    Marion''s expression didn''t change, but his voice grew colder. "The Bernard family has more than one house. Don''t use that as an excuse."


    Cathryn bit her lip, her resolve crumbling under Marion''s stern gaze. "I wanted to pursue my career in Seamar City.


    Marion waited, his silence urging her to continue.


    "I signed a contract with Nichols Entertainment."


    A dangerous glint shed in Marion''s eyes. Randy paled, knowing the history between Marion and Juan. Cathryn had just stepped into a minefield.


    "Miss Bernard," Randy said, exasperated, "do you have any idea what the rtionship between Juan and Marion is like?"


    Cathryn looked down, her expression that of a child caught in wrongdoing. "I know, but I want my own career. I don''t want to always be under Marion''s protection."


    Randy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let me make this clear. Marion isn''t protecting you. He''s just giving you money to live on. If you get into trouble, he''ll help because of your father, but he won''t go out of his way to protect you. He has his own people to look after."


    "I..." Cathryn choked up.


    Randy, who had always been ufortable around crying women, found himself at a loss. He hadn''t expected Cathryn to be so emotional.


    As tears streamed down her face, Cathryn said, "I''m sorry, Marion. But I really can''t go back."