Faux Vows, True Desires

The man's smile was much more genuine when he heard it was a girl.

Lucinda gracefully declined the invitation for lunch from her colleague. But that didn't stop him from lingering by the elevator, hopeful for a chance to walk her out.

He'd been watching Lucinda for a while now. She was ambitious, diligent, and while she wasn't a knockout beauty, her sunny disposition was winning him over. He was considering making a play for her heart, thinking maybe she'd be the one to bring home for Christmas dinner.

Lucinda prayed silently that her overbearing husband wouldn't catch sight of her and him waiting for the elevator together. If he got a whiff of jealousy, it would be a whole scene she wasn't eager to have.

Normally quick to clear her desk, Lucinda deliberately slowed her pace, ensuring by the time she headed for the stairs, Mark would've left the building.

Ever since Lucinda joined the ranks at Ascend Global, the presence of the company's CEO, Stefan, had become a more common occurrence at the beginning and end of the workday.

The woman who had once set Lucinda up for failure couldn't help but snort with disdain as she passed her desk. Lucinda couldn't quite make out the words, but she didn't care to. She had long since realized that the office waters ran deep.

If it weren't for the fact that she needed to inherit the family fortune, Lucinda would've been content running her own cozy bookstore-café, penning novels in her spare time, far away from the cutthroat corporate life.

Thinking about her own background, Lucinda couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Her life was destined to be full of intrigue.

The male colleague was very patient, waiting until Lucinda finally came out.

The Ascend Global headquarters had many employees, and even though Lucinda deliberately delayed, the elevator was still crowded. She decided to take the stairs. "Mr. Coleman."

Just as she descended to the first floor, she heard many people greeting Stefan. Lucinda hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

male colleague asked with

"I forgot something."

turned around and

go back.

the turn of the

unnoticed as she left the steel and glass tower behind her. At the bus stop, she boarded the

she texted Stefan. "Honey, wait

Stefan called her immediately.

Shouldn't be long. Just wait for

I'll wait

at the thought of seeing him

far, and Lucinda arrived soon. Instead of seeking out her man, she ducked into the ladies' room to wipe away her makeup, a skill she had mastered without the help of Tiffany, who was now

Lucinda was surprised to see her older brother, Ike, clutching a

"Ike!"

him and made her

almost hiding the flowers, but there was no point; Lucinda already knew about his crush, Belinda. "Lucy,

her to catch up, his curiosity piqued about the absence of her ever-present

me. You meeting Belinda,

What, you think I shouldn't make a

I've been rooting for you, big bro. You going to profess your love?" They walked towards the

time I step up and just say

appreciate beating around the bush. If Ike confessed his feelings to her and she genuinely liked him, she would likely accept his affection. On the other hand, if she didn't share the same feelings, she would straightforwardly reject

him. If she did, he would have to settle for being one of her many business partners and wouldn't