Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 441

Cecilia's heart raced as she pieced together Owen's cautious words, realizing that being involved with the Blues was like dancing on the edge of a knife.

Owen leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. “I honestly don’t know much, Cecilia. Just that the Blues are deep water, and the Porters are like wolves at the door, always itching to be the top dogs of Skywatch. It’s like the rivalry between me and Stefan, you know?”

Cecilia snorted, “Cut the crap, Owen. You and Mr. Coleman’s rivalry is child’s play where nobody gets hurt. You two claim to be rivals, but sometimes you look like old chums from grade school, both of you knowing each other inside out. I wouldn’t be surprised if you called each other besties.”

It was clear that only one alpha could reign supreme, and with Ruby stirring the pot, the two were bound to butt heads.

Owen could be underhanded at times, a real schemer when he wanted to be, but Cecilia had to admit that his moral compass didn't waiver when it came to the big stuff.

She didn’t buy his comparison of his squabbles with Stefan to the dangerous dance between the Blues and the Porters.

“Cecilia, I swear I’m in the dark as much as you are. Consider the social status of the Blue family and the Porter family. Moreover, given the distance, my influence can only reach so far. What could I possibly find out? Even Stefan can't uncover too much. He’s got his PA digging deep into Lucinda’s disappearance, and even he’s coming up short. He’s been at it forever, and what’s he got to show for it? And Keith, that prince of the Blue family, how many years did he search for Lucinda? He only made it to Pinehurst because of my grandfather’s connections. He should be thanking him, really.”

Owen mused that next time Keith put on airs or gave him the cold shoulder, he’d spill everything, knock him down a peg or two.

Keith, wasn’t pleasing to Owen’s eye. Although Keith was cold and indifferent, he was too handsome, and being Lucinda's twin brother, he had too many opportunities to interact with Cecilia. Who knew if Keith had a thing for her?

Hadn’t Owen once seen Keith as a rival for Cecilia’s affection?

Keith would scoff, “If I had my eye on Cecilia, what’s it to you, Owen?”

His interest lay with the enigmatic lady only.

Cecilia fell silent. She was an outsider; even with her tight bond with Lucinda, she was kept in the dark whenever danger loomed, Lucinda treating her like a stranger to keep her safe.

“Cecilia, that settles it. From today, Jay and Rex are on your tail.”

Cecilia’s silence was consent.

She couldn't help Lucinda, but she wouldn’t be the one to drag her down.

Besides Cecilia’s safety, Owen felt he had to arrange for the Yates family's protection in secret.

Who knew what kind of unhinged retaliation Madeleine could unleash in her fury?

As for the Moore family, Stefan would surely have that covered.

That was his business, not Owen’s.

Exiting the Ikella Group, Madeleine’s complexion was stormier than a winter sky.

She’d approached Owen recklessly, thinking that since he and Stefan were at loggerheads, he’d jump at the chance to side with her against Stefan.

Only after a meeting with her concerned father, who’d rushed after her, did she realize that it was impossible for Owen to join hands with her.

Even without Cecilia in the picture, Owen wouldn’t join forces with her.

The thought of Owen stringing her along with false hope, only to warn Stefan and his wife about her, made Madeleine’s blood boil.

Nobody played Madeleine for a fool!

Actually, Nathan had been playing her for years.

“Miss Porter.”

Two men in black approached Madeleine.

Her private chopper was parked right outside the Ikella Group, and though not the largest, its presence was undeniable.

“How’s it going?”

One of the men asked in a deep voice. Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

Madeleine replied icily, “Dad was right, as usual.”

Once aboard, she commanded grimly, “Get me Luna. Tell her I want Cecilia’s life to be a living hell.”

If Owen was after Cecilia, then Madeleine would strike there, making him regret crossing her.

Attacking someone’s dearest was the deepest cut; trouble for Cecilia would torment Owen more than his own.

But in Pinehurst, Madeleine wouldn’t act directly.

Her father had arranged for Luna’s assistance.

She’d let Luna handle it.

If she couldn’t touch Lucinda, Cecilia was fair game.

Now, her prospects with Nathan dwindling, a confrontation with Lucinda seemed inevitable. Even if marriage was in the cards, a showdown was certain.

So, Madeleine had no second thoughts about using Cecilia as a pawn.

At Ascend Global.

Ending a call, Stefan immediately rang Owen.

Their phone chat was brief, and soon Stefan was back on the line, this time with Nelson. “Nelson, I need two bodyguards skilled in stealth and tracking for a special mission. And send eight men to the Moore residence, come up with any excuse necessary to stay and ensure their safety.”

With his own mother-in-law staying at The Moore residence, Stefan knew that his father-in-law, a man of considerable influence, would also arrange for people to secretly protect her.

Still, he decided to send a few more of his guys over to keep an eye on things. Having a visible presence there would certainly rattle any would-be troublemakers.

Stefan had a hunch that the showdown between the Blues and the Porters was coming sooner than anyone anticipated.

He figured the storm would hit right after he and Lucinda returned from their weekend getaway at Skywatch. The Porters weren't the type to give them any time to adjust. They'd strike fast and hard, catching them off guard.

"Got it."

Nelson, ever the loyal aide, never questioned orders. Whatever Stefan wanted, Nelson made it happen.

"I'll tell Lucinda myself," said Stefan

"Okay." Nelson wasn't one to steal his boss's thunder.

With everything set, Stefan glanced at the clock. Another morning had slipped by.

He texted Lucinda, inviting her to join him for lunch.

Lucinda had wanted to decline, but after a moment's thought, she accepted. But she'd have to slip away discreetly to meet her husband's car.

"Lucinda, let's go grab a bite."

As soon as the office clock signaled the end of the workday, a male colleague approached Lucinda's desk with a warm smile, inviting her to join him for lunch in the company cafeteria.

Lucinda stood up, tidied her desk, and declined with a courteous smile, "I'm sorry, a friend just texted me for lunch. We've both been so swamped with work lately, and I've had to bail on her a few times already. If I skip out today, she'll be really upset."

The colleague's smile stiffened for a moment, but he gracefully conceded, "I see. Well, don't let me keep you. Your friend wouldn't want to be kept waiting. Is your friend a guy or a girl, by the way?"

"Of course, she’s a girl. She’s my college roommate and bestie."

Lucinda lied with the same ease her husband sometimes did—with a straight face and steady breath.