Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 371

"Mom and Dad are flying back soon, and I need to replace some time tomorrow to buy them some things to take home. Uncles and aunts have been taking care of everything at home, we should send them something."

Ike Moore gave a nod, asking, "With your nine-to-five job, do you have time to go shopping? Or should I do it for you?"

"No need, if I can't replace the time, I'll make a list and have Emma pick them up for me."

Ike chuckled, "That works."

His sister was now the young mistress of the Anderson family; she didn't need to personally handle the task of buying gifts.

"You didn't tell Mom about my situation, did you?"

Ike asked, wondering if his sister might have mentioned it to their mother.

Because lately, he hadn't received any more phone calls from his mother, pressuring him to get married.

"I told her. If I didn't, do you think you could live so peacefully? You've seen how relentlessly Mom used to nag me about marriage before. If she can't nag you, she'd nag me instead. I've been taking all the hits for you."

Ike quickly clinked his beer can against his sister's, "Oh, yes, thank you, little sister. I owe you one, sis. Cheers to you."

Lucinda giggled, "Back when Mom was relentlessly pushing me to get married, I thought I'd go crazy. But now, looking back, I felt that if Mom didn't pushed me so hard, Stefan and I might not have known how to start. He's a great guy, just not good with sweet words."

Ike chuckled, "Lucy, you have high standards. Every time I see you two together, I make myself scarce to avoid being overwhelmed with your lovey-dovey moments."

Lucinda laughed, "Is it it really that exaggerated?"

Thinking about how her man showed love through actions rather than words, she shrugged it off. After all, everyone had their own way of expressing love.

She realized she hadn't said too many sweet words to Stefan herself or given many gifts.

Lucinda acknowledged her own shortcomings and made a mental note to make amends.

Just as she was about to say something, her brother suddenly stood up with two glasses of red wine in his hands and walked towards a car that just pulled up.

The siblings were engrossed in their conversation and didn't notice the car's arrival. Ike had sharp eyes and he recognized Belinda's car.

Lucinda followed her brother.

Belinda was the last one to arrive, and the people chatting in the yard all turned their attention to Belinda.

Belinda hadn't brought a driver; she drove herself. After she exited the car, she immediately walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and considerately held it open for the person inside. Everyone watched this scene curiously, wondering who the person in the car was to have the usually stern female CEO acting so gallantly.

Belinda was known for her cold demeanor, but she was very popular among women.

This was mostly because she dressed in a gender-neutral fashion, similar to a man, and her cool personality added to her striking appearance, which easily captured women's hearts.

In Ike's words, he had seen countless instances where women who admired Belinda would pester her.

Unfortunately, his love rivals included both men and women.

Lucinda, who was following her brother, saw a slender hand reaching out and taking Belinda's hand. Shortly after, she saw a young woman dressed in a white evening gown stepping out of the car. The young woman was about the same age as Lucinda, tall and elegant, with a pretty face that made her a true beauty.

Didn't need to ask, Lucinda could guess the young woman's identity, it must be Darlene Bishop.

Lucinda had been contemplating how to get to know Darlene, but hadn't figured out how to approach her. She hadn't expected Belinda to bring her sister to the banquet tonight.

Stefan had told her that Darlene rarely made public appearances and many people in Pinehurst had never seen Darlene.

Observing Darlene's extraordinary beauty, Lucinda couldn't help but think that if she had such a beautiful sister, she would also protect her very well too, not easily letting others see her true appearance to avoid unnecessary troubles.

"Ike, are the Bishop family and the Barlow family very close?"

Otherwise, why would Belinda bring Darlene?

Ike nodded and said, "They have a longstanding relationship. When Belinda took over the Bishop Group, Jason Barlow helped her a lot."

"That makes sense. Stefan told me that Ms. Darlene rarely shows up in public. Her presence tonight must suggests a good relationship with Jason." "President Belinda."

Ike didn't respond to his sister and went to greet Belinda.

Lucinda also followed him.

Upon seeing Ike and his sister, Belinda's icy face appeared to soften a bit. She nodded to Ike and said, "Mr. Moore, is this your sister?"

"President Belinda, hello, I'm Lucinda."

Lucinda introduced herself at the right moment and extended her right hand for a handshake with Belinda.

After shaking hands with Lucinda, Belinda introduced her beloved sister to the Moore siblings.

Lucinda noticed that Darlene had been looking at her brother for a moment, it made her think that there might be some sort of connection between Belinda and her brother. Otherwise, Darlene wouldn't be looking at her brother like that.

Lucinda also shook hands with Darlene, who looked at her and smiled, "I've heard a lot about you, Mrs. Lucinda. And tonight, I finally get to meet you in person. You're even more beautiful than your photos." "Thank you for your compliment, Ms. Darlene. In your presence, I wouldn't dare to call myself a beauty."

Darlene continued to smile, her smile both gentle and beautiful.

Lucinda thought that if she were a man, she would surely fall for Darlene and want to hold her in his arms.

She suddenly thought of her own brother.

Her brother was still single, and their mother had asked her to help her brother replace a girlfriend.

But then, she thought about the complex situation of the Bishop family and how protective Belinda was of her sister. Given the situation of the Bishop family, they would definitely not agree to marry her sister into the Moore family, let alone allow her sister to move far away.

Lucinda began to have second thoughts.

However, she had this idea in mind that when her brother arrived, she would replace a way to introduce him to Darlene. If the two hit it off, she would wash her hands off the matter.

If Belinda knew that Lucinda wanted to help Ike pursue her and also introduce her beloved sister to Keith Blue, she would probably put Lucinda on the list of people to avoid.

"Mrs. Lucinda, you're being modest. You really are beautiful."

Darlene and Lucinda formed a friendship as soon as they met.

Although she was well-protected by her sister, she knew all the happenings in Pinehurst. Didn't try to underestimate her; she was the hidden boss of a detective agency.

When Lucinda and Stefan Coleman got married and the news was officially announced, she had dug up all she could about Lucinda.

Oh, there was one thing she didn't quite grasp, which was that Lucinda was the daughter of the Blue family. She didn't know this until the Blue family came thundering in to defend Lucinda, revealing that Lucinda was actually the daughter of the prestigious Blue family of Skywatch.

Darlene was particularly interested in Lucinda and Stefan's story, and Lucinda's background made her feel like she was watching a TV drama.

In short, both of them had heard about each other from others before they met, and they were interested in each other, harboring a desire to become friends.