Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 384

"Why should I give it to her? She and I have no connections."

Stefan chuckled, "She did you a favor, and a little token of appreciation wouldn't hurt. These items aren't cheap, you know. After they hit the market, their price skyrockets. I get these invitations because they're aimed at my wife. I'll keep half for her."

These were gifts from jewelers and fashion brands.

They invited him to bring Lucinda to choose, whatever jewelry or clothing she fancied, and it would be gifted to her for free. They were essentially using Lucinda's status for advertisement.

In the past, whenever these companies launched new products, they would send them to the Ascend Estate for the ladies in the Anderson family to use.

Since Stefan had announced his marriage, they continued to send new products to the Ascend Estate, and also sent invitations to Stefan. They hadn't figured out Lucinda's tastes yet, hence the idea of letting her choose on the spot.

Stefan was a doting husband. If he showed up with his wife, it would certainly draw a crowd. They could please Mrs. Coleman and use Mr. Coleman's status for publicity. It was a win-win, who wouldn't want that?

Edgar thought for a moment before accepting the invitations.

He did owe Ms. Howard a favor.

All because he had to help his boss with some business and ended up indebting himself to her.

That girl was so clingy!

Just as Edgar left, Owen knocked and entered.

Seeing him, Stefan said, "I thought you'd kick down my office door and strut in arrogantly."

"I'm a man of manners, you know."

Owen walked over, pulling out a chair and sat down across from Stefan.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Stefan stood up and poured two glasses of water, "It’s indeed a miracle for you to be here."

"Stefan, when did you learn to be so sarcastic?"

Owen took one of the glass and sipped, "Why two glasses of water?"

"Consider it an honor."

Owen’s corner of his mouth twitched. He was here to ask for advice, not to pick a fight. He had to endure it.

Back in his seat, Stefan appraised Owen, "You're still angry, aren't you? Someone really pissed off you."

Despite being ridiculed by his rival, Owen finished both glasses of water before looking at Stefan who was smirking across the table. How come Stefan, who received the same education and was in a similar position in the family, was more successful and fortunate?

It was truly unfair!

"Stefan, I heard your wife is a novelist."

"Why? Want to support her? Take out your phone. I'll teach you how to download an app, link it to your WhatsApp, top up your account, and then tip my wife for her articles."

The joke about Hayes who made a mistake when trying to tip her wasn't forgotten.

Lucinda still didn't know about it.

She was always busy updating and uploading her work, with no time to check comments or other data.

She was unaware, and neither Stefan nor Hayes was going to tell her.

Owen fell silent before speaking, "You're always trying to make money off me. I don’t have time to read novels. I can't even concentrate on them. We're past that age. I thought since your wife is a novelist and bestie with Cecilia, she must know how to win her over."

"Can you share some tips?"

Stefan knew Owen was here because of Cecilia.

Owen was a sentimental man.

He used to be in love with Ruby. For her, he often had Stefan’s movements tracked and his path blocked. He would argue with him for Ruby’s sake.

Now, for Cecilia, he was lowering his head and asking him favors again.

Stefan didn't agree nor refuse outright. He simply drummed his fingers on the desk, staring at Owen.

"Why are you staring at me like that? If someone saw us, they'd think you're in love with me."

Stefan stopped drumming his fingers, "You knew stories about me and Lucy, yet you're here asking for advice. Wrong place, don't you think? If I had any good advice, I would have used it on Liam."

"Liam and Tiffany grew up together. It was only natural for them to be together. They didn't need your advice. I and Cecilia do." Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"The problem between you and Cecilia isn't about you two; it's about your families, the external reasons. If you want to solve this, you need to prove your sincerity to the Yates family and let them believe you mean it and agree you two being together. There's no other way."

"Of course, you could try some tricks, like playing the hero and saving her. If the Yates family knew you saved Cecilia, especially if you get hurt in the process, their attitude towards you would definitely change."

"Cecilia's commute to work isn't long, and it's always crowded. I don't have a chance to play the hero. Besides, she's good at self-defense. Even if some punks tried to harass her, she'd beat them before I could step in."

He couldn't possibly stage the whole thing. If Cecilia found out, it would backfire.

Stefan remained silent as gazing at him.

That's a terrible idea!

"It's up to you if you want to use it."

Whether Owen would use Stefan's idea remained to be seen.

As days passed by, Owen still didn’t make any move.

In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived.

Early in the morning, the quiet of the Ascend Estate was broken by the arrival of several private jets.

They landed directly on the open-air parking lot of the Ascend Estate.

The Blue family were the only people in the town who used jets as a mode of transportation.

Emerging from the chopper, besides Keith, was his father, Nathan.

Now, they made no secret of their visits to Pinehurst.

Today, the Moore family planned to head home. Janice wanted to join them on their journey back to the countryside, to see the place where Lucinda had grown up.

Early risers Fiona and Janice were strolling in the courtyard of the main house in the manor when they saw the private jets landing.

Janice's face fell at the sight. She turned to Fiona, "Let's get back inside, sis."

"That's Keith, isn't it?"

Fiona spotted Keith and said to Janice, "You always lament about missing your kids. Now that Lucy is with you and Keith is here, why the sudden change of mood? Why do you want to go away?"

Janice shot a glance at the jets, and then held Fiona's arm, walking back towards the house together with Fiona.

She uttered, "I miss my son. But I can't stand to see the man who betrayed me, looking as if he's troubled and still deeply in love with me. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I won't be able to eat for days."