Faux Vows, True Desires

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."

waiting for her, just itching to let loose. She didn't dare hang

ended

probably pacing the floor there right now. I slept so long that I forgot

They'll manage no

the cup down and followed her, saying, "Don't

cards right; with his future mother-in-law angry, it was his duty to escort Cecilia and face

Cecilia didn't reply.

was still fierce, and if it weren't for her mother's call,

bodyguards to assist, and while the shop was packed, they were handling it. They hurried out of

one of the bodyguards, waited outside for

Mrs.

Jay greeted them.

in Jay's address. It wasn't worth the effort to correct

back to the coffee shop." Owen

and Cecilia got into the car, with Jay

calls to Walter and a

"Mr. Martinez, Ms. Porter came looking for you again today, and

asked, "Didn't

in Pinehurst. After visiting the company yesterday, she'd promptly flown back to Skywatch

to be her pawn, she was quite diligent, flying over in a private jet to meet him every

secretaries couldn't handle her, and I had to step in. She left a

Owen snorted, "Throwing threats on my turf?

had clung onto Nathan, and with the status of Nathan's

are used to being arrogant can't easily change

I want updates on her movements the moment she sets foot in

Madeleine might target Cecilia, Owen felt the need to be cautious. He was well-protected with his entourage of bodyguards, but Cecilia could

"Got it," Walter replied.

his attention