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."
had a whole storm waiting for her, just itching to
Becca ended
pacing the floor there right now. I slept so long that I forgot I had a business to run." Cecilia hastily gulped down the coffee and thrust the cup back into Owen's hands before
already sent some help over. They'll manage no matter how busy
set the cup down and followed her, saying, "Don't rush. I'll
playing his cards right; with his future mother-in-law angry, it
Cecilia didn't reply.
headache was still fierce, and if it weren't for her mother's call, she might have
shop was packed, they
one of the
Mrs. Martinez, good
Jay greeted them.
in Jay's address. It wasn't
Martinez back to the coffee shop." Owen
into the car, with Jay
of calls to
looking for you again today, and she seemed pretty
asked, "Didn't
linger in Pinehurst. After visiting the company yesterday, she'd promptly flown back to Skywatch
To persuade him to be her pawn, she was quite diligent, flying over in a private jet to meet him every day. As for Madeleine's apparent anger, Owen didn't
and I had to step in. She left a threat before she went, saying you played her and that you'll
"Throwing threats on my turf? Ms. Porter really is
and with
being
I want updates on her movements the moment she sets
target Cecilia, Owen felt the need to be cautious. He was well-protected with his entourage of
"Got it," Walter replied.
the call, Owen turned his attention to the
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