Faux Vows, True Desires

"Lucinda."

Stefan pedaled his bicycle out from inside.

On seeing Lucinda and Ruby chitchatting, Stefan felt uneasy, so he pedaled faster.

Ruby was flabbergasted when she saw him riding a bicycle out.

Where was Stefan's fancy car?

She remembered Stefan loved luxury cars, and the garage was packed enough for a car show.

"Stefan, you're out."

Lucinda greeted him with a smile and whispered to Stefan, "Stefan, when did Ruby come back? She seems upset. Did you guys have a fight? I invited you to dinner and invited her too, but she said you wouldn't eat with me."

She subtly nudged Stefan's arm, lowering her voice even more, "Don't mind her. She just returned from abroad. All her family is overseas. You're the only one she can rely on here."

Upon hearing that Lucinda invited Ruby for dinner, Stefan felt heavy-hearted.

However, he could not confess to Lucinda, for fear that he would scare her if she knew his real identity. Now Lucinda always thought that he was just a staff member working at Ascend Global, and did not know that he was the head of Ascend Global.

"Lucinda, get in, let's go. We'll talk during dinner."

Stefan gestured for Lucinda to get on his bike, sending Ruby a glare.

Lucinda looked at Ruby, then at Stefan. Something felt off between the two, but as an outsider, she had no idea about their history, so she remained silent.

"Oh."

Just as Lucinda was about to sit on Stefan's bike, she remembered she came here on a bike. So she told Stefan, "Stefan, leave your bike in the company and ride my e-bike. It's faster. It's too hot to cycle." She mumbled to herself, "After dinner, I'll get a sunshade for the e-bike, so we can avoid the sun when going out."

as soon as possible, not wanting Ruby and

"Can you help me

"Yes, Mr. Coleman."

glanced at Lucinda, finding that

a sigh

Ruby blocked the e-bike. She stared at Stefan and sarcastically laughed, "When did our Mr. Coleman start riding an e-bike? Where's Mr. Coleman's fancy car? Did Ascend Global hit a rough patch

know the situation in Pinehurst,

large number of job opportunities for residents in Pinehurst

Ascend Global was in trouble, other small companies'

these companies collapsed, her coffee shop would be hit, as many of her customers were Ascend Global employees. Only the white-collar workers liked

rarely

more important reason was that Stefan worked at Ascend Global, and she didn't want

put on

Lucinda past Ruby. He didn't say a word to Ruby's mockery. "Stefan." Ruby reached out to stop the e-bike, but Stefan immediately sped up. The e-bike sped away, leaving Ruby behind

me a drink. Come back, come

were

had previously invited

now, Lucinda

feeling a bit sorry for her. She was the one who invited Ruby to

like she might have done more harm

between Stefan and his childhood playmate Ruby didn't seem

"Hold me tight!"

ordered in a deep

reaching her hands under Stefan's

tense

gesture

childhood? Now that she's back from abroad, aren't you planning to rekindle the old flame? Is it because we signed a contract and it feels inconvenient? The contract says that it can be terminated

the rearview mirror, his face hardened. He said in a deep voice: "Hold