Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 30

"Owen, you really shouldn't..."

Owen cut her off, "Why shouldn't I? You expect me to help you for free? I can do some things for free but for others, I need to be paid."

She hurt him. Even though she knew he loved her, she was asking him to investigate her romantic rival. It was like stabbing him in the heart. If he didn't love her, her coldness would be enough to piss him off.

"Ruby, I'll give you a minute to think it over. After that, even if you agree, I won't help you anymore."

Ruby bit her lower lip lightly. She quickly stood up, walked over to Owen, got him up, made him face her, and kissed him.

But as soon as she touched Owen's lips, he pushed her away. Ruby didn't expect Owen to react like this. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.

She just stared at Owen. He had just said that if she kissed him, he would help her. She did what he asked, but he still pushed her away.

Owen turned around and left.

"Owen." Ruby called out to him. Had she done something wrong?

"Don't worry, I'll do what I promised." Without turning around, Owen coldly said this and left Ruby behind.

Ruby was willing to do anything for Stefan. This deeply hurt Owen's heart and his pride.

There was no difference between him and Stefan. They had known each other since childhood, growing up together. Why was he only her friend, but Stefan was the one she loved?

Were there no other men in the world? Why did she have to choose Stefan?

Owen was worried that if he didn't leave, he might’ve lost control due to jealousy and hurt Ruby.

......

3 p.m.

Regal Raiment.

A bicycle stopped in front of the store.

A handsome man in a suit got off the bike and walked into the store.

"Oh my?" The staff in the store looked surprised when they saw the man. He rubbed his eyes and muttered, "I must be seeing things. Stefan cannot possibly be in my store at this hour."

The man grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close to face the handsome face.

He tried to kiss the man but was pushed away before their lips touched. "Ah, what a pity to miss such an opportunity."

Holt lamented.

"Holt! Don't look at me like that!"

Stefan warned his friend, Holt, the fourth son of the Wilson family who didn't need to take over the family business and could do what he liked. He loved designing evening gowns, so he opened Regal Raiment. The business was booming, and he had opened many branches in various places.

"Because you're just too handsome." Holt acted as if it was all Stefan's fault.

Stefan chuckled, "Look at you now, who could tell you're a man? You're even more feminine than women."

If they hadn't played a prank and pulled down Holt's pants to confirm that he was a man, they would have thought he was a woman.

"Please sit."

Holt invited Stefan to sit, his gaze briefly scanning outside the store to a bicycle. He asked with a smile, "The CEO of Ascend Global, not only goes out without bodyguards, but he also doesn’t even have a car? I saw you on the road and I couldn't believe it was you."

"Do you guys only identify me by my vehicle?"

Holt, "... Well, I certainly wouldn't expect you to be on a bicycle."

"I like cycling. Is there a problem? Do you look down on me for biking? If you like, you can gift me a luxury car as a means of transport."

Holt helplessly said, "Go away, your garage is like a car showroom. What type of car don't you have? If I gave you another one, could your garage fit it?"

"I could expand the garage."

"Go away, I'm broke!"

"I'll bring you money right now. Help me choose some evening gowns. My wife needs them."

Holt, "Was that post you made online real?"

"Don't think you can skip out on a wedding gift."

Holt laughed, "When you have your wedding, I'll definitely give you a big gift. Remember to reserve a spot for me as a groomsmen. I want to borrow the great Mr. Coleman's luck to see if I can find a suitable husband."

Stefan laughed, "Aren't you planning to find a wife?"

"My mom has always raised me as a daughter. Her wish for me was to find a suitable husband."

As they joked around, Holt got up to select some evening gowns, not forgetting to ask Lucinda's size.

Stefan gave him an approximate size. Holt selected a few gowns and handed them to Stefan, "Take a look, these are new arrivals in my store. Your wife won't have to worry about wearing the same dress as someone else."

Finally, he curiously asked, "Who did you get married with? What's her name?"

"Lucinda."

"Lucinda... Why does that name sound so familiar?"

Stefan flipped through the gowns. He was very satisfied with Holt's taste and craftsmanship. The gowns at Regal Raiment were all designed by Holt. Each gown took a lot of time to make, so they were very expensive. Despite the high prices, his gowns were very popular with the ladies of Pinehurst's high society.

Stefan just smiled without answering.

Holt tried to think hard. After a while, he muttered, "I remember my college neighbor Ike had a sister named Lucinda. He always doted on his sister and bragged about her."

"Stefan, Ike was your classmate, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Did you marry Ike's sister?"

Stefan just smiled.

Holt understood. His eyes widened in surprise, "Aren't you afraid Ike will beat you up?"

Stefan answered confidently and narcissistically, "An excellent man like me becoming his brother-in-law, will only make him feel happy for his sister. He wouldn't dare to lay a hand on me."

Ike's internal monologue would be, “I'm biting my tongue here!!!”

"Stefan, you absolute dog, do you only fancy much younger girls?"

"I'm only five years older than Lucinda," Stefan replied grumpily, "I'm not even thirty yet, how am I old? Lucy and I are of the same generation."

Holt eyed his friend for a while, then said, "You got hitched lightning fast, so willing and so fast, and you didn't even announce your marriage to the world. Stefan, did you have your sights set on Ike's sister a long time ago?"