Faux Vows, True Desires

Ruby replied, "I got back first; my mom came back afterwards, but she only stayed for a while."

Jeannie just responded with a nod.

"Ms. Coleman, why didn't you guys tell me when you were coming back? I could've picked you up from the airport."

Jeannie laughed, saying, "If we wanted a pick-up, all we needed was a phone call. No need to bother you."

She had two sons. Even if they're busy, all it took was one call, and they'll drop everything to pick her up from the airport. Or she could call the housekeeper, who would personally go to the airport. There were plenty of people around the house; there was really no need to bother Ruby.

"It's no bother at all; it'd be my pleasure to pick you up. Ms. Coleman, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. You always say that Stefan, being a man, might not think of certain things that I might."

"You just got back home; your business must not have settled down yet, right? How could I bother you at such a busy time?"

Mentioning her business, Ruby fell silent for a moment.

"What's up? Are you running into any business troubles?"

Ruby's silence alerted Jeannie that something was off.

Jeannie might be approachable, but that didn't mean she's not sharp. She's lived in high society her whole life; she's seen it all.

"Ms. Coleman, I did run into some business problems."

"What happened? What kind of problems?"

Jeannie was only asking about her problems; she didn't promise to help solve them.

Ruby knew that Jeannie might seem easy to talk to, but she's even more cunning than Olina. Olina was just proud, she's not as deep as Jeannie.

it were Olina, she'd definitely say she'd

But Jeannie wouldn't.

and started to suppress my business. My business just started here; it's not stable yet and can't withstand Stefan's suppression. I'm losing a lot of money now; if Stefan continues like this, all the money I

Ruby was truly anxious.

left

wasn't hers; Owen

really would have

did you do to make Stefan mad? He's always been good at keeping his personal

didn't do anything; Stefan was misled by someone."

harm you just because he doesn't like you. At most, he would avoid you, not answer your calls, and not use his status and power to suppress your business. You must've done something to really piss him

misled? He's a man of his own mind; who

knew Stefan very

Ruby hadn't done something extreme, Stefan wouldn't have been so ruthless

you've known Stefan since you were kids, knowing someone doesn't equate to romance. He never developed romantic feelings for you; you should let go of your obsession with him. It's no

jab at you, but I remember Stefan starting to deliberately keep his distance from you when he was twelve. Even at that age, he was aware of romantic feelings. A man you've known for over twenty years, if he says he doesn't love you, he really doesn't. If he did, he would've expressed it long ago. Even though the Andersons and the Martinezes have always been at odds, Owen's feelings for you were genuine.

Ruby didn't respond.

vacation and wanted to stay at the Andersons, Jeannie

it

it in her heart

love her. He didn't love her in the past,

each other for over twenty years. If he loved

naked, but he didn't show any desire. He threw her out of his room, along with the blanket, without a

the blanket shielding her and being thrown out like that, she would've been hurt

face went from red to dark with unbearable

eighteen

Stefan, Ruby even disregarded her own dignity,