Faux Vows, True Desires

The Smiths, a family of four, had not traveled together. If it weren't for Janice's adamant wish to fly with her daughter Lucinda, she would have been on a separate flight.

Nathan and his son, Keith, were the first to disembark.

Before boarding the plane, father and son had been all smiles, but upon landing

at Skywatch Airport, their expressions turned stern. Keith, in particular, had a face as cold as ice.

The two men, dressed in matching suits, were followed by a line of bodyguards, each towering and formidable, with gazes sharp as lightning.

Lucinda, with her arm linked through her mother's, descended from the plane at a deliberate pace, prompting Keith to stride forward a few steps.

"Mom, Lucy," he called out.

Nathan stood in place, unmoved.

Members of the extended Smith clan had gathered at the airport to welcome the family back. All but the patriarch and matriarch had come out to greet them-it was, after all, beneath the elders to make such appearances. Led by Hogan Smith, they approached en masse.

Every influential member of the clan, those with a say in the family affairs, had made the effort to be there, creating an imposing crowd.

Lucinda, newly acquainted with her heritage, might have been overwhelmed by such a reception had she not been prepared.

"Big bro," Hogan and his brother Hayden hurried over, stopping a few steps behind Nathan and calling out with warm, brotherly affection.

Nathan grunted an acknowledgment but did not turn to look at them.

greeted in unison, their voices

his brow furrowed with

Hogan quickly rallied, shouting, "Welcome back,

voices rising in a chorus of "Welcome home, Mrs. Smith and Miss

pleased with the response and finally approached

for his wife's hand, but Janice not only sidestepped his gesture but, taking hold of their daughter, walked right

nodded and smiled politely,

and daughter, walking alongside Janice. If he couldn't hold her hand, he would walk beside

for the trio, as

legally married to Lucinda. It only made sense for him to accompany her back to the

Pinehurst and Stefan was still the man in charge, they assumed he

to take notice of the new branch Stefan was setting up in Skywatch through Ascend Global. With his father-in-law and brother-in-law's support, his business venture was safe for

the clan members, "Isn't Mrs. Smith supposed to be aware of the rules now that she's come

to Smith family tradition, even the matriarch wasn't to walk alongside the patriarch in public; she was to trail a few steps behind. In private, of course, they could do as they pleased, and no

was deemed a public setting, and they expected Janice to adhere

of the family tried to take

were playing tricks on me. Who would have thought

voice added, "She's talking about divorce, isn't she? If it weren't for Lucinda coming back, I bet she wouldn't have returned from Pinehurst happy as a clam. How can we expect

statement. With the return

for Keith, they had believed he would eventually be disowned, yet here he was, bis position unshaken, while his cousin Pete had been relegated

the Smith

on the uptake, were beginning to realize that the children