Cecilia glared at Owen for a moment before reluctantly accepting the cup of coffee he offered. With a hint of sarcasm, she remarked, "No wonder you're the head honcho of the Ikella Group. Always playing chess with people's lives."
Owen took the jab as a compliment and chuckled, "Thanks for the praise, Cecilia. As long as you don't call me a fool, I'm good."
Cecilia just rolled her eyes in response.
Right then, her phone rang.
"Where's my phone?"
"Right here."
Owen turned to get her phone and handed it to her, sneaking a glance at the caller ID-it was her future mother-in-law.
The moment Cecilia saw that it was her mom calling, her headache seemed to intensify.
She steeled herself to answer the call.
"Mom."
"Cecilia, do you even care about your shop anymore? What time is it? You haven't been in all morning, and it's snowed under with customers."
Becca didn't outright ask what Cecilia was up to.
But her scolding tone made it crystal clear she was furious.
"Mom, I—I'm on my way. Is it really that busy this close to noon?"
"What, you've got a problem with being too successful?"
"No, Mom, not at all. I'm coming right now."
Becca huffed, "You'd better."
mother had a whole storm waiting for her, just itching to
ended the
I slept so long that I forgot I had a business to run." Cecilia hastily gulped down the
already sent some help over. They'll manage no
cup down and followed her,
future mother-in-law angry, it was his duty to escort
Cecilia didn't reply.
was still fierce, and if it weren't for her mother's
had indeed sent some bodyguards to assist, and while the shop was packed, they were
of the bodyguards,
Mrs. Martinez,
Jay greeted them.
in Jay's address. It wasn't worth the effort to correct
back to the
got into the car, with Jay at
Owen made a series of calls to Walter
reported, "Mr. Martinez, Ms. Porter came looking for you again
asked, "Didn't
linger in Pinehurst. After visiting the company yesterday,
in a private jet to meet him every
on seeing you. The secretaries couldn't handle her, and I had to step in. She left a threat before she went, saying you played her and that
snorted, "Throwing threats on my turf? Ms. Porter really
clung onto Nathan, and with the
are used to being arrogant can't
keep tabs on her. I want updates on her movements the moment she
to be cautious. He was well-protected with
"Got it," Walter replied.
the call, Owen turned his attention to the
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