Faux Vows, True Desires

As the arch-nemesis of Stefan, and with his ex-wife's best friend Lucinda in the middle of it all, Owen was privy to more inside information than the average Joe.

Madeleine was Nathan's girl, and back when Janice was off on her wild tangents, it was Madeleine who stepped in, acting the part of the lady of the house in all the public events, fulfilling the duties expected of a partner to a high-profile man like Nathan.

Everyone in the town of Skywatch knew about Madeleine and Nathan's situation. They all thought she was set for life, that Janice would be left in the dust.

Owen was no stranger to these rumors.

When Madeleine suddenly showed up at his door, Owen had a hunch about what she wanted. It was likely a partnership she was after.

Owen sat behind his desk, waiting for her arrival.

"Boss, Ms. Porter's here," announced his secretary, escorting Madeleine in.

With a nonchalant "hmm," Owen stood up, reached out his hand as Madeleine approached, his voice polite but his expression frosty.

He wasn't exactly known for being chatty with outsiders.

"Ms. Porter, a pleasure."

Madeleine shook his hand while sizing him up.

In her eyes, Owen was a catch - young, handsome, loaded, and fiercely loyal. His unwavering dedication to Ruby was well known, even to someone like her who didn't pay much attention to the Martinez family.

She couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Ruby, passing up on a gem like Owen and instead chasing after Stefan like a dog with a bone.

But then again, she understood - when you're as ambitious as Ruby, you aim for the perfect one.

were to marry, it would be to the cream of the crop

that she fell short of Mrs. Bright's

of warm water and set one in front of Madeleine, saying politely, "Ms. Porter, please,

wanted, just assuming she'd want lukewarm water - something she would only drink at Nathan's behest - she masked her irritation. Owen motioned for the secretary to

Porter, to what do I owe

sip of his water, holding Madeleine's gaze with

too, pretended to sip her water, her lips barely

Martinez. The Ikella group doesn't have a presence in Skywatch, and as you know, the Porters don't have stakes in Pinehurst. What kind

is Stefan, correct? There's an old saying, 'The enemy of my

here to use him as

miles away in Skywatch, needed a local ally to take on Pinehurst's top dog, and

wronged me personally, but his wife, Lucinda. She's a thorn in my side.

the table, revealing

pick with the Colemans too. If not for them, your sweetheart wouldn't have been in trouble, and you'd have won her over by now. They've been a thorn in your business side, and they've

as much as I do. The Porter family may not wield power in

asking, "Ms. Porter, what

considering a partnership with the

need some time to think it

not waning, "Of

you need, Mr.

this is

choked back her

business card," she said, extending it towards Owen. "Once Mr. Martinez has made up your mind, feel

she spoke, she took out her card and handed it