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 work and family, and inevitably, the topic of Owen and Cecilia came up. Naturally, this led

voiced her suspicions, "Every time Avery comes to see Cecilia, Owen always shows up. Stefan, do you think Owen has planted a tracker on

that he lets Avery appear in front of Cecilia

like it's all part of a play. Someone

ours. It's good for 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, it's highly likely that it's his

was a crafty old

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

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

"His grandfather?"

never

old man, much

even gave me a very

thought in his mind. "Oh dear, let's not talk about gifts. I thought you would refuse, so I prepared an especially

Owen's grandfather

hold him

doesn't like Cecilia, and he's trying to spur Owen on by

her, "You're as smart as I am, Lucinda. I'm

that a child's intelligence

child will definitely be brilliant, seeing

"You're making me blush."

at

selfish for not

be a man who

not. Even if I didn't know your true identity, I wouldn't want you to have a child so soon. We should enjoy a couple of years to ourselves first. If we

"But that's your child. You're jealous

my biggest rival. And the worst part is, I can't do

Lucinda was speechless.

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

the house,

in the living room were still

saw a figure sprawled on

at first, but Stefan immediately knew it