Faux Vows, True Desires

Cecilia would call him, either Mr. Malicious or Shameless Owen. At her politest, she'd refer to him as Mr. Martinez or she'd use his full name, but she never just called him by his first name. Yet, she would call that guy by his first name!

Was she falling for Avery? Was she even willing to join forces with her own mother to force him into agreeing to a divorce?

Once single, she could be with Avery.

Once a person's mind started to wander, they could read too much into anything. They could see signs in the most mundane happenings.

He was the one who fell in love first.

The first one to fall in love already lost the game.

While he was courting Cecilia, she never avoided him. She gave him the opportunity to pursue her. But Cecilia hadn't accepted his advances yet, nor had she agreed to be his girlfriend or to marry him. So, Owen's heart was always in a state of unease.

Seeing his expression change, Cecilia blinked, saying, "His name is Avery. What else should I call him?"

With a darkened face, Owen growled, "You could call him Mr. Cooper, or even Buffalo, but you cannot call him Avery!"

"Mr. Martinez, my name isn't Buffalo!"

Avery didn't understand why Owen would give him a nickname like "Buffalo".

"I'll call him whatever I want. It's none of your business. Avery, pay no mind to him."

Cecilia was too lazy to deal with him, and quickly grabbed Avery's hand to leave.

She was calling Avery by his first name, and Owen was already feeling jealous. Yet, she was taking Avery away right in front of him.

Owen felt even more jealous, wishing he could chop off Avery's hand.

was acting on it. He quickly stepped forward, forcefully separated Cecilia's hand away from Avery's, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her away. Cecilia didn't

don't want to affect the business

statement, Cecilia gave up on resisting, obediently following him outside to see what tricks he had up

were outside the place, Cecilia

have you had

You can call Avery by his first name. Why can't you call

is easier to say; your

Owen's face darkened.

her hand again, lifted it, lowered his

it tightly, determined to cover her hand with kisses before saying, "You are not allowed to have physical contact with Avery!" "Mr. Martinez, have you not figured out the situation yet? I have no

away from him once again, Cecilia was becoming annoyed. She said, "You've seen it. Your mother doesn't like me, and she's willing to pay me to leave. She'd prefer Ruby as her daughter- in-law. They both

to use money to get

really not good

slightly gloomy, but it was only for

truly difficult to maintain, and many people couldn't make

equals, but in other people's eyes, they were

you don't try? Cecilia, give me some time, I'll convince my mom. In our family, it's just my mother who doesn't accept you. Everyone else likes you, especially

okay? I was just being jealous today, seeing you so close with Avery made me incredibly jealous.

about you, I'm jealous, I truly love you! I'm courting you with the intention of marriage, and I'm willing to devote my affection to you for the rest of my life." Realizing that quite a few people were watching, Cecilia removed his hands, and said lightly, "You should go back to work, and I have to go back

for

again, giving her some time to calm down. He came in to forcibly

Avery away, Owen finally left,

back to the company. He went to Ascend Global

arch-enemies, constantly battling each other

never set foot in the Ikella group, and Owen rarely

when he showed up at Ascend Global, asking to see Stefan, everyone was curious about