Faux Vows, True Desires

When they stepped out of the Yates family estate, Owen turned to Derek. "What did you mean just now, Derek?" he asked.

"Mr. Martinez, I believe you're trying to win Ms. Yates back, aren't you?" Derek replied. "Becca invited us for dinner, but she only served you an egg. It's her way of showing disapproval, implying that you should scram once you're done eating."

Owen blinked in surprise. "I didn't know an egg could carry such meaning. I'm aware that my mother-in-law doesn't like me for now. If she did, Cecilia and I wouldn't have divorced."

Owen's face fell momentarily at the veiled dismissal from his mother-in-law. However, he quickly recovered his usual composure.

Trenton glanced at him with distaste and then walked away, ignoring him. He left with Derek and the bodyguards.

Owen sighed, feeling once again rejected by his grandfather.

At ten in the evening, Stefan went to pick up Lucinda from the Serendipity Cafe.

"Where's my cousin?" Lucinda asked as her husband helped to close and lock the shop's security shutters.

They had all eaten lunch together, and in the afternoon, Hayes Brooks had left with Stefan and his brothers to return to their company. Lucinda had taken the bus back to the office to avoid the suspicion that she was the CEO's wife.

"He sat at the office for a while, then I had someone take him back to the Ascend Estate," Stefan replied.

Lucinda nodded. "My mother said she'll be back tomorrow."

"I'll arrange for someone to pick them up."

Stefan opened the car door for his wife. After watching Lucinda get in, he closed the door, walked around the car, and returned to the driver's seat.

"Lucy, will you accompany me to a banquet tomorrow night?"

"Sure, will we get to meet President Belinda?"

Ever since Lucinda learned about Ike's crush on Belinda Bishop, she had been eager to meet her.

"I've looked into it for you. Belinda will be attending the banquet tomorrow night, along with Ike and his partners."

What his wife wanted, Stefan always knew how to provide.

about various topics during the drive. They talked about work and family, and inevitably, the topic of Owen and Cecilia came up. Naturally, this

time Avery comes to see Cecilia, Owen always shows up. Stefan, do you

that he lets Avery appear in

all part of a play. Someone is

him to have a rival. It keeps him on his toes. If he can't stop Avery and can't find out who's behind him,

a

Group might seem to be under Owen's control, but in reality, Trenton still

him. I have full control in Ascend Global, while Owen

"His grandfather?"

had never considered

impression of Trenton was that he was a kind old man, much like Stefan's grandfather. Both were friendly

gave me a very

talk about gifts. I thought you

Owen's

hold him back, I

and he's trying to spur Owen

over to gently touch his wife's face, praising her, "You're as

that a child's intelligence largely comes from the

be brilliant, seeing as his mother is so

"You're making me blush."

at

I'm selfish for not wanting to have a

to be a

a couple of years to ourselves first. If we have a child too soon, all your attention will be diverted to the baby. Where would

that's your child.

the worst

Lucinda was speechless.

there. However, by

tiptoed into the house, not wanting

in the living

a figure sprawled on

first, but Stefan immediately knew it was his younger brother,