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.

and family, and inevitably, the topic of Owen and Cecilia came up. Naturally, this led to a discussion about Avery, Owen's rival in

her suspicions, "Every time Avery comes to see Cecilia, Owen always shows up. Stefan, do you

capabilities, I find it strange that he lets Avery appear in front of Cecilia repeatedly. He

part of a

him on his toes. If he can't stop Avery

a crafty old

Owen's control, but in reality, Trenton still had the

why Owen loses to him. I have full control in Ascend Global, while Owen still has his grandfather watching

"His grandfather?"

had never

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

time, he even gave me

let's not talk about gifts. I thought you would refuse, so I prepared an especially expensive one.

Owen's grandfather

him back,

like Cecilia, and he's trying to spur Owen on by using someone

gently touch his wife's face, praising her, "You're as smart as I am, Lucinda.

yourself. They say that a

laughed, "Then our child will definitely be brilliant,

"You're making me blush."

at her husband's

you think I'm selfish for not wanting

seemed to be a

I wouldn't want you to have a child so soon. We should enjoy 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

"But that's your child.

the worst part is, I can't do anything

Lucinda was speechless.

was at the Ascend Estate, the couple decided to spend the night there. However, by the time they arrived, it was already late, and Hayes had gone

tiptoed into the house, not wanting

the living room were

a figure sprawled

Stefan immediately knew