Faux Vows, True Desires

Stefan held onto Lucinda's hand tight, his face stern.

Lucinda turned to him, whispering, "Do you know them?"

"They're Owen's fancy car entourage. He's got a thing for luxury cars, so he always goes out with a fleet of them and a bunch of bodyguards. It's his way of showing off his power; it makes him feel like a king."

Stefan said this with a smirk on his face.

Lucinda laughed, saying, "That's his insecurity showing."

Stefan laughed too, his eyes softening.

Wasn't Lucinda complimenting him for his confidence?

Stefan always thought he was a confident guy.

The bodyguards got out first, and then one of them opened the car door for Owen.

And there was Owen, standing across from them with his entourage.

"Stefan."

Owen said calmly, "Your wife hit Ruby. So, do you punish her, or should I?"

So he was there for Ruby.

Lucinda thought, What took him so long?

Looking at the man beside her, Lucinda understood why Owen chose this moment to show up. He did it on purpose, when Stefan was present.

"So what if Lucy hits Ruby? Ruby started it. Lucy just fought back and even hurt her hand doing it. Owen, if you're here to defend Ruby, how about compensating for Ruby? Ruby got Lucy so worked up that she can't work now. Lucy is a businesswoman, and she loses a lot of money if she can't work. Ruby should compensate for this loss."

Owen was taken aback by Stefan's words, staring at him in shock.

Stefan had always been excellent in his studies and his business. He was often praised by people.

His parents often compared him to Stefan, saying he was not as good as him.

But Stefan was always reserved, rarely arguing with him. Stefan would always dismiss his provocations.

Now, to protect Lucinda, Stefan said such words. It made Owen see him in a new light.

Lucinda looked at Stefan with admiration in her eyes.

Only Stefan could make such shameless words sound so elegant.

"Stefan, can she compare with Ruby? Ruby grew up with us! Plus, Ruby loves you so much that she moved her business back to you. Do you know how much she lost because of this? Not only are you not taking Ruby's side, but you're also asking her for compensation. Stefan, you're heartless! Ruby got the wrong man!"

Owen deliberately brought up Stefan and Ruby's past in front of Lucinda.

He loved Ruby, but he didn't want to see Stefan happy.

After all, when he was deeply in love with Ruby, Stefan could end his bachelorhood and marry a young and beautiful wife. Even if Lucinda was a low-key beauty, standing next to Stefan, they looked perfect together.

Owen was so jealous that he was losing his mind.

"Lucinda is my wife. But what relationship do Ruby and I have? How can she compare with my wife? All the losses Ruby suffered were her problems. She's an adult and should take responsibility for her actions."

"I only have feelings for my wife. Other women mean nothing to me."

Lucinda thought Stefan's sweet talk was really touching!

Whether he was sincere or not, she felt very happy to hear this.

Owen stared at Stefan for a while, then laughed coldly, saying, "Apparently, we can't see eye to eye, so don't blame me for not being polite."

He waved his hand at his bodyguards and said, "Go, smash the Serendipity Cafe!"

"Cut off the hand this woman used to hit Ruby!"

As the Martinez family's bodyguards were about to grab Lucinda, Stefan kicked one of them, and he fell backward.

Lucinda, on the other hand, lunged at Owen.

Unprepared, Owen was knocked to the ground by Lucinda.

Lucinda knelt on his chest, saying coldly, "Anyone who dares to smash my shop, I'll break his sternum!"

The bodyguards of the Martinez family didn't dare move.

Stefan turned to look at Lucinda, his eyes filled with pride and a hint of sourness.

Owen instinctively tried to push Lucinda off, but she quickly pressed her elbow against his neck, making it hard for him to breathe.

Oh my God!

This woman had combat training!

He didn't find this out when he was investigating her!

"Mr. Martinez, I advise you not to move. I can really break your sternum. I forgot to tell you, I was born strong."

To avoid trouble, she had long learned to control her strength. Besides her family, not even Cecilia knew she was naturally strong.

"Stefan, call the police. These people want to make trouble; let the police handle it."

Stefan smirked, pulling out his phone to call the police.

"Stefan."

Owen shouted at him, "I didn't smash your wife's shop, nor did I touch your wife. What are you calling the police for?"

If Stefan called the police, he would have negative news. With the internet so developed, as the current head of the Martinez family, negative news would affect the image of the Martinez family's business and possibly cause significant losses.

Of course, if an ordinary person called the police, Owen wouldn't worry.

He had enough money and connections to solve any problem.

But Stefan was different.

In Pinehurst, Stefan's status and reputation were above his own.

"Mr. Martinez, you've got to promise me that you won't wreck my shop again after we leave. And if you break your word, Stefan, what do you reckon we should do with him? Strip him naked and parade him around town?"

Owen was so mad he was about to spit nails.

Stefan's lips twitched.

He had a sneaking suspicion that his wife was not satisfied with his physique and wanted to have a good look at Owen's.

Over his dead body! He'd show Lucy tonight!

Stefan moved to stand by Lucinda, taking her place. He held Owen in check, grabbed Owen's tie, and pulled him up. He said coldly, "Owen, when there's trouble between ladies, they should sort it out by themselves. You better not get involved. Besides, who are you to interfere?"

"What does Ruby see you as? Do you even know? That woman ain't worth your time."

Ruby wanted to sleep with him while keeping Owen on a tight leash, making him adore and help her without any conditions.

Faced with such a woman, Stefan couldn't fathom why Owen was so loyal to Ruby.

Owen shrugged off his tie, his face darkening. "Stefan, you don't need to worry about Ruby and me. This time, since Ruby started it, I can forgive your wife. But if there's a next time, even if your wife had superpowers, I'd still dare to smash her shop!"