Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 33

Owen promised to help Ruby replace her love rival, and he sprang into action immediately. He had already picked up on Stefan and Lucinda's relationship, so it was easy for him to zero in on this couple. Stefan, on his bike, was taking Lucinda, dressed in her evening gown, to Ascend Hotel.

How could Owen not know about this?

"Who are you waiting for, Mr. Martinez?"

Mr. Lambert asked with a smile. "Or maybe, would you prefer to go in and sit down?"

"No need, he'll be here soon."

"Mr. Martinez..."

Mr. Lambert wanted to say something, but when he saw Stefan carrying Lucinda, the words got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

What the hell was going on? Who was that girl riding pillion on Mr. Coleman's bike?

After parking his bike, Stefan helped Lucinda off in a graceful manner.

Owen walked over. His gaze was sharp, staring at Lucinda.

"Sir, have you no manners? Staring at a stranger like that is very rude." Lucinda didn't like the look in this man's eyes - too sharp, as if he wanted to see right through her.

"Well, not exactly a stranger. I've known Stefan since we were kids. You could say we're old friends."

Owen gave a subtle smile. "This is the first time I've seen Stefan bring a woman in front of us. I'm curious, what's your name?"

Stefan walked over to Lucinda, looked Owen in the eye, gave a casual smile, and said, "Owen, why don't you call me 'big brother'."

Those words successfully darkened Owen's face.

"You should call me big brother, you know. Owen, come on, be a good boy and say 'big brother'."

Owen was visibly troubled.

Stefan was an unpredictable man. Sometimes gentle, sometimes cold, sometimes cheerful. Owen considered himself cunning, but in front of Stefan, he always found himself provoked. "Lucinda, this is Mr. Owen Martinez, the heir of the Martinez family, my arch-nemesis."

In front of a fuming Owen, Stefan generously introduced him to Lucinda. He wanted Lucinda to join his circle, and facing Owen was inevitable. So, he didn't hold back. Lucinda extended her hand graciously, smiling, "Mr. Martinez, I've heard so much about you."

Owen glanced at the hand Lucinda extended, then at Stefan, and shook hands with Lucinda. It was more of a touch than a handshake, as he quickly retracted his hand. "This is the President of the Lambert Group, Mr. Lambert."

Stefan introduced Mr. Lambert to Lucinda next.

She nodded at Mr. Lambert, shaking hands with a smile. Mr. Lambert shook hands somewhat absent-mindedly. He wasn't sure what the relationship between Lucinda and Stefan was. But any woman that Stefan brought to a banquet must've been someone he liked and valued.

He couldn't afford to offend her!

"It's too hot outside, let's go in." Mr. Lambert's face was stiff with a forced smile, inviting the two presidents into the hotel.

In his heart, he was praying silently, hoping the two important presidents could keep their cool, give him some dignity, and not start a fight at the banquet.

Seeing Stefan lead Lucinda into the hotel, Mr. Lambert began to feel that his prayers might not have been heard.

As long as Lucinda was there, Owen would never quiet down. Stefan's girlfriend had become Owen's weapon to attack him.

This was Lucinda's first time attending such a high-end banquet. Despite her nerves, she wasn't scared. Everyone was flattering and accommodating to the man by her side, which made her feel blessed time and time again for having the chance to marry such an outstanding man like Stefan.

Stefan took great care of Lucinda, never leaving her isolated. With him by her side, Lucinda gradually relaxed. As Stefan introduced her to the guests at the banquet one by one, she was amazed each time. Because they were all important figures in the city's business circle.

Owen remained silent. He did nothing but sit quietly in a corner, drinking. In fact, he was observing.

After observing for a while, Owen saw the problem. There seemed to be some issues between the newlyweds Stefan and Lucinda.

Lucinda might've not known Stefan's real identity. Hmm... interesting.

The moment Stefan went to the washroom, Owen seized the opportunity to approach Lucinda.

The girls who had eyes for Stefan and had been looking for a chance to cause trouble for Lucinda stopped when they saw Owen approaching. It looked like they were waiting for a show to start. "Mrs. Anderson."

After reaching Lucinda, Owen offered her a glass of red wine. "You haven't had a drink all night. How can you attend a cocktail party and not have a drink?"

Lucinda looked around, then asked Owen, "Mr. Martinez, are you talking to me?"

She hadn't had a drink all night because Stefan wouldn't let her. But he himself had drunk a lot. Lucinda was worried that he would get drunk and she wouldn't be able to take him home. Owen laughed, "You're the only one in front of me. Of course, I'm talking to you."

"Mr. Martinez, you must be mistaken. I'm not Mrs. Anderson."

Even if she was to be referred to as Stefan's wife, it should be Mrs. Coleman, not Mrs. Anderson.

"I've known Stefan for more than twenty years, mate. I know who he is. How could I possibly not know?"

Owen wanted to say that he and Stefan were old pals, but that would sound too phony. Their relationship was known by everyone in Pinehurst. He couldn't brazenly claim that they were old buddies. "Don't you know that Stefan shares the same last name with his mother? His dad's from Pinehurst's top filthy rich family, the Anderson family. He's actually the heir to Ascend Global, the big shot of Pinehurst's wealthiest clan. So, me addressing you as Mrs. Anderson wasn't wrong."

Lucinda was gobsmacked! Her face turned as pale as a sheet. She asked Owen, "Mr. Martinez, what are you saying? Stefan is the main man at Ascend Global? I thought he was just an executive assistant. How did he turn out to be the heir of the Anderson family?"

No way! Stefan had told her that he was just an ordinary worker. How could he possibly be the heir of the Anderson family?

Owen chuckled, "He told you he's just an executive assistant? His assistant's name is Edgar. If you don't believe me, you can ask him later. Do you even know who you've tied the knot with?"

Lucinda thought she knew him. After all, she and Stefan had known each other for eleven years. In those eleven years, she had no clue that he actually shared the same last name with his mother. He was the heir of the Anderson family!

He sure kept his cards close to his chest. The heir of the Anderson family! His status was way too high.

She felt like she was punching above her weight. Could they call off their engagement now?