Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 329

Diamond Ridge Estates.

Fresh out of the shower, Lucinda, her hair still dripping wet, stepped out of the bathroom.

Just then, Stefan walked in, looked at her wet hair, and scolded, "It was late, and you were washing your hair."

"I've got a hairdryer, and it'll dry in no time. You're one to talk about late, coming home at this hour."

As she spoke, Lucinda crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Seeing his wife's spontaneous affection, Stefan can't help but feel happy. He wrapped one arm around her waist, his other hand went to the back of her head, and he leaned down to kiss her. After the kiss, Stefan whispered into her ear, "I'll try to come home earlier."

It's only ten now, which, by their standards, was early.

"I'll help you dry your hair. Try to wash it during the day from now on. You've got such thick, long hair. Drying it takes time."

He led her to the vanity, had her sit down, and went to get the hairdryer.

"Sweetie."

"Hmm?"

"Can you help me replace someone?"

"Who? A man or a woman?"

Seeing Stefan's anxiety made Lucinda chuckle, "Don't worry, it was a woman. My brother liked her, but he won't tell me who she was." Stefan laughed, too. "I trust you, and I trust myself. You've got me as your husband. No man out there can compete with that." He's actually afraid that Lucinda might become interested in other men.

Ever since Lucinda was thirteen or fourteen, plenty of boys have had crushes on her. He's had to beat off a fair number of her admirers. She once said he's like a magnet, attracting people wherever he went, and she's the same.

"Who's this woman your brother liked? Tell me what she looks like, and I'll have someone look into it. I promise not to let her replace out."

"She's in business with his company. She always dressed like a tomboy, and whether you're a man or a woman, you can't help but be attracted to her. He's seen her being bothered by women a couple of times."

Stefan: "Belinda Bishop?"

"Belinda?" Lucinda turned to look at Stefan, "You know her?"

If

Stefan turned off the hairdryer, "Belinda was the helmsman of the Bishop Group. She always dressed like a tomboy. She kept her hair as short as mine and was always in black suits. She was cool and steady. f you didn't know better, you'd think she was a man. The Bishop family has passed down their business from generation to generation, and in Belinda's parents' generation, they had two children, both girls. Belinda was raised like a boy. When she was fifteen, her parents had an accident at sea. The ship sank, and both of them died. Her grandmother fell ill from the shock and died not long after, leaving only her elderly grandfather to hold up the Bishop family. During that time, the Bishop Group's business plummeted. Good luck doesn't last, but bad luck comes in waves. Her grandfather was old and had lost his son and wife in quick succession. Both his spirit and body were exhausted, and he died within half a year."

With a sigh and a look of respect in his eyes, Stefan murmured, "Belinda was only sixteen then, still a high school student, but she had to take over the Bishop Group, managing the company during school holidays. The business world was ruthless, and the Bishop family suffered one disaster after another. Everyone, from distant relatives and friends to the senior figures in the company, saw Belinda and her sister's youth and wanted to divide up the Bishop family's assets. But Belinda held on to the Bishop Group. The hardship she went through was unimaginable to ordinary people."

Lucinda felt sorry for Belinda. "What happened next?"

"Belinda managed to hold on to the Bishop Group, but the business couldn't recover its former glory and was pushed out of Pinehurst's top five groups. However, once Belinda graduated from college and focused completely on the company, she worked hard to turn the situation around. The Bishop Group is gradually recovering now, and given a little more time, I believe she can restore its former glory." Stefan rarely admired anyone, but Belinda was one of the few he did.

"Your brother's company doing business with the Bishop Group means Belinda recognizes your brother and his company. But she's tough, so it won't be easy for him to court her."

"Sweetie, when can you arrange for me to meet her? With my brother and me together, how could she resist?"

Stefan tapped her head lightly and chuckled, "Are you planning to compete with your brother for a woman?"

"Why do you sound like my brother? I just want to build a relationship with my future family. By the way, did Belinda have any weaknesses?"

"Everyone has weaknesses."

His weakness was her.

"Belinda's sister was two years younger than her, the same age as you. Ms. Darlene was her weakness. She's very protective of her sister, so if you want to get close to Belinda, you might want to start with Darlene Bishop."

"Sweetie, I'll accompany you to all sorts of parties in the future and replace a chance to interact with Ms. Darlene."

"Darlene rarely attends parties. I've never even seen her. Belinda does a good job of protecting her, so not much is known about Darlene."

Lucinda was speechless.

"If you wanted to meet Darlene, I can have someone kept an eye on the Bishop family. When Darlene came out, you could 'accidentally' bump into her. Whether you can become friends was up to you." "I'm going all out to help my bro score his future wife. I got to make Darlene seen me as a friend, just liked me and Cecilia," I said.

Stefan laughed, "Then you better get cracking!"

Stefan's phone began to buzz.

Pulling it out, he checked the caller ID and frowned, "What's Owen thinking, calling me at that hour?"

Lucinda took the hairdryer from him and started drying her hair, "He surely wants to have a heart-to-heart with you."

Cecilia was divorcing Owen.

If Owen didn't want the divorce, there would surely be a conflict between him and Cecilia. Owen wanted to avoid hurting Cecilia while resolving the issue, so he might think about seeking advice from Stefan. Stefan and Lucinda also got hitched by contract.

Stefan skeptically answered Owen's call.

"Stefan, are you at home?"

"Spit it out, what's up?"

"I'm outside your house right now. If you're home, come out. I'd like to invite you for a drink, and we've got stuff to talk about."

Stefan coldly replied, "I don't think you and I have anything in common to talk about. We've got nothing to discuss."

"Stefan, considering I gave you a heads up last time about replaceing your wife at the club, we can chat."

Stefan was silent momentarily, then said, "I can only give you twenty minutes, so make it snappy."