Faux Vows, True Desires

"Dad, what has Owen done that has got you so ticked off? Why are you dragging Ruby into this? Ruby just got back from abroad, did she screw up somehow?"

Owen's mom was still in the dark about Ruby's arrest.

She had not been keeping up with the latest buzz.

"Olina, I don't ever want to see Ruby in our house again!"

Instead of answering Olina's questions, the old man ordered her not to bring Ruby home again.

He knew Olina was quite fond of Ruby.

He believed Ruby was a total phony, deceiving his grandson and daughter-in-law.

In reality, Ruby hasn't deceived his grandson at all - it was his grandson who chased after Ruby willingly and got used by her.

Olina frowned, asking with confusion, "Dad, can you tell us what exactly happened between Owen and Ruby? What did they do wrong that got you so mad? Owen is busy right now, you want him to come home straight away?"

As the couple descended the stairs, they saw the elderly man engrossed in a phone call. Once he hung up, his expression was distinctly displeased.

"Dad, who was on the phone? Did they spill something about Owen?"

Without waiting for a response, Olina burst out, "Who's trying to undermine my son? Are they envious of his position? If they're brave enough, they should confront him directly, instead of plotting behind his back!"

"Olina," the old man chided, "Who are you even railing against? Haven't you both kept up with the current events?"

"Everything's chaotic now, and here you are pointing fingers at the wrong people," Olina defended.

"As long as you're under this roof, Ruby is not welcome! She's a terrible influence on Owen. Because of her, he's under Stefan's thumb, and I bet that Lawrence is reveling in it."

between the two families wasn't new. However, with

and his wife exchanged a look, then both hastily pulled out their

said, "Dad, has the Anderson

he's dating formally, I'd be happy, but he's just pining after Ruby.

reached out to inform me about this," the

yet neither had gained a definitive upper hand. Their respective sons were content with maintaining the status quo in their businesses, neither venturing out nor expanding. Instead, they chose to pass on their legacies

the apple of his grandfather's eye, a cherished

was the crown jewel for the

the rivalry with fervor. There was no need for the elders

it was Stefan who tattled." Olina

old man

tattling made the old man feel

the hot news, Olina learned that Stefan

a humble background. Her brother and Stefan were classmates, which might be the reason why she became the

turn

her precious son on the marriage

married, Ruby should give up. If she gives

felt happy for her

called his son,

Owen understood the implications.

as fast as

I brought you your favorite apple pie," Owen shouted as he entered

with the old man's generation. The old man had experienced poverty when he was young and always remembered the apple tree

a soft spot for modest apple pie. He sat in silence, his expression unreadable. Shane Martinez and his

in front of his grandfather. Sitting beside

registered in his name. He'd only return to the ancestral home for festive meals with the senior members of the family. Intriguingly, Owen's way of life closely mirrored that of Stefan. Given how frequently his grandfather drew parallels between the two, it wasn't surprising that their lifestyles had evolved to be