Faux Vows, True Desires

"After the Porters had given Hayden a good thrashing, they finally asked for the reason behind it. Dad was anything but shy, he laid out the whole story for the Porters. Then, Mr. Porter went on a rampage, almost battering his wife's face into a pulp. It was complete chaos."

"What happened next hasn't been resolved yet. Dad apparently stayed with the Porters the entire day before coming back. No idea if the plan is for Hayden to divorce and marry Madeleine or what." Keith narrated, a smug smile on his face.

The Johnson couple listened, equally engrossed.

Stefan pondered on his own investigation. Although he didn't have much evidence, the news that Keith brought via Hayes Brooks didn't match up with his findings. However, he had a hunch that the puppet master was likely one or both of Lucinda's uncles.

Of course, there was definitely more than one person pulling the strings.

Back when Lucinda was taken away, the Porters probably didn't intervene. After all, Madeleine was only two at the time and the Porter's power and influence hadn't reached the heights it has today.

The Porter's power has grown significantly in recent years, and so too has their ambition.

"Bro, if Hayden marries Madeleine, it won't bode well for us."

Stefan warned his cousin, preparing him for the possibility of a legitimate alliance between the Porters and Hayden.

Keith paused before saying, "I trust dad's judgement."

His dad wouldn't do anything to hurt them.

Stefan thought for a moment before saying, "Regardless, we need to be on our guard."

He wasn't in Skywatch, so he didn't know much about the Porters. If his father-in-law was bold enough to make this arrangement, he must have a plan to control the situation.

This matter was a double-edged sword.

Dad marrying Madeleine could lead to a fallout between Hayden and his family, given Ashley's sense of betrayal. She wouldn't agree to her husband marrying Madeleine and would surely raise hell. Having spent decades in the Blue family and raised two sons and a daughter, she wouldn't go down without a fight.

Madeleine, they'd

be careful,"

tell mom that dad is fine, I need

could say anything else,

Fearing his sister would find out, he quickly ended the

had attempted

were fired at his

his car was bulletproof, preventing the silent killers from

"Drive faster."

his driver in

up, the assassin couldn't aim at the tires,

being accompanied by several loyal bodyguards and convoy cars, Keith had no intention

their target's car speeding away, the assassins revved their engines to

a large cargo truck appeared around the bend. The driver swerved

was startled

And then!

had hit

rather, someone had

The motorcycles were in pieces, parts strewn all over the place. The

and his bodyguards were unaware of the fate that had befallen their pursuers. It wasn't until they saw the news the next day that they learned

Even if

unlock the doors. As she opened the garden gate, she noticed Owen crouched in a corner. She was startled, dropping the lock

"Ouch."

cried

bent down to pick up the lock and key, and greeted Becca with a