Faux Vows, True Desires

Ike hoisted the bag in his hand and presented it to Owen for a closer look.

"This is dessert, made by Cecilia. She made me two boxes. Both Cecilia and Lucy make mouth-watering sweets, Owen. Would you like to try them?" Owen's face twisted in dissatisfaction, and he said, "I'm not much of a sweet tooth unless it's made by Ruby herself, then I might deign to try a bit."

Ike put the bag down and laughed a little but didn't respond.

Everyone in Pinehurst knew about Owen's feelings for Ruby and Ruby's feelings for Stefan.

"What are you doing here? Are you here to stir up trouble again at the Serendipity Cafe?"

Ike shifted the topic, inquiring about Owen's intentions.

He wasn't sure about the relationship between Owen and Cecilia, and assumed Owen was here for trouble.

In the past, anyone who dared to bad-mouth Ruby would face Owen's wrath. Now that Ruby was detained, Owen must be fuming and plotting revenge on Cecilia and Lucy.

Lucy had Stefan as her knight in shining armor, but Cecilia was left defenseless.

Thinking this, Ike warned, "Owen, it's Ruby's fault. Even if you want to protect and favor her, you have to be reasonable. Don't think you can bully Cecilia just because she has no one to protect her. If you dare to touch her! I won't let you off lightly!"

Though Ike wasn't exactly Owen's equal in many ways, it didn't stop him from standing up for Cecilia.

Owen frowned at Ike's words, then lifted his eyebrows and gave Ike an up-and-down look.

"What?" Ike asked, visibly annoyed.

He didn't appreciate Owen's scrutinizing gaze.

Seeing the two men in conversation, Cecilia feared a confrontation and stepped in.

to Ike, "Do you have a

Ike could respond, Cecilia

what brings

darkened at her choice of words. He reached out to pull Cecilia closer, intending to give her a piece of his mind, but Ike caught

ensued

you do it once today and won't teach her a lesson." With that,

bodyguards followed

and

the cafe but

bit of a

with you. If he tries

just let Cecilia

him for help when Lucy got in trouble. He's here to discuss terms. He won't do anything to me, don't

Cecilia added, "You actually

entirely a bad guy. He's just a bit too obsessed

what they can't

deepened because he could never have her. He thought Ruby was the best, even though they had grown up together, first as friends before love came into

all, Ruby held a significant place

nor dared to replace

she would get a

one she loved, and

you can handle him? Are you sure he's not here

"Absolutely, don't worry."

not entirely

under Cecilia's persuasion, Ike

Ike's car drive away, Cecilia turned

entrance. They were all tall and intimidating, dressed in black, unsmiling. They looked like menacing statues, scaring off anyone who dared to walk past