Faux Vows, True Desires

Ike got royally screwed over by the Anderson brothers. But he had a hand in it too. He never bothered to look into Stefan's family background nor did he ever ask. He thought it was bad manners to pry into someone's family business.

Stefan never mentioned his family at school, so Ike felt even more awkward asking about it. He was scared of hitting a nerve and making things awkward. Now, Ike was kicking himself. If only he'd asked more back then, his sister wouldn't have ended up with Stefan so quickly.

"Your cousin is a cunning fox, he kept his real identity from me for eleven years," Ike grumbled.

Eric defended his cousin, "You never asked about him. He wanted to keep a low profile."

Ike was at a loss for words. After a moment, he fired back, "How would you feel if your best friend hooked up with your sister behind your back?"

"I don't have a sister."

"I meant hypothetically."

"Your hypothetical is unrealistic. I don't have a sister, so I can't imagine what that feels like. Even if you asked me a hundred times, I still wouldn't be able to comprehend the feeling of parting with a sister when she gets married."

Ike was pissed off.

The Anderson family had mostly boys. The old lady had five sons and one daughter. In Stefan's generation, it was all boys again. The old lady never had a granddaughter and this remained a regret in her life. Now, all she could hope for was that her grandsons would get married and have daughters.

Stefan didn't know nor did he care that Ike was fuming because of his cousin. He explained to his wife, "Eric is third in line among us brothers. He's in charge of all the food and beverage businesses under our family's company. He's the general manager of Ascend Hotel."

Lucinda responded with a casual nod. She asked quietly, "Does your family know about us?"

"They probably do. Most of the people at the party that night were familiar faces."

Even if he didn't tell his family, someone would have spilled the beans to his elders. His grandparents would definitely find out. Although the old folks no longer worked and seemed out of touch with the outside world, spending most of their time gardening at home, they were actually well-informed. Their sources of information were even quicker than Stefan's.

gave his hand a slight twist and muttered,

be his companion. Basically, he was announcing to the world, low-key, that she was Stefan's woman! Back then, she had happily accompanied him to

admitted he was a crafty one. Everything he did was to draw her into his world, to make her his beloved wife.

room for them and had already ordered all

didn't know the identity of Stefan and the others, but they knew Eric was the general manager. Anyone who could get the general manager to personally entertain them must've been someone of high status and

he was already married. Good

and Stefan let her have soup first. After finishing the

the shrimp. I know you love seafood,

peeling the shrimp for Lucinda, and putting the peeled shrimp

shrimp.

shrimp. He also thoughtfully put the fish onto her plate when

very considerate. The food he put on

you need to eat

to eat something. She had been sleeping for

smiled, "I'll

had to let her

Ike and Eric were speechless as they watched the considerate Stefan. They felt like third wheels, and they also felt as if the couple was flaunting their love, making them envious "Stefan."

answer, Lucinda picked up a pair of disposable

can't peel shrimp for you.

Ike was speechless.

had a satisfied smile on his face, feeling

shells, and then put one

his plate back a

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