Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 432

When Olina got mad, she never cared where she was and why she was there. Her face was clouded over as she barked, "Owen!"

Owen thought he was hallucinating when he heard his mother's voice. How could she possibly be here?

"Owen, you actually had the gall to ask your grandfather for your grandmother's jewelry to give to Cecilia? I haven't even worn any piece of the jewelry, and who is she to deserve it?" Olina was seething with jealousy.

Jealous of the attention her son bestowed upon Cecilia.

Her husband had always treated her well, mainly because he had fought with his father to marry her. But ever since then, he rarely did anything against his father's wishes. After unsuccessfully trying to secure the family heirlooms for her, he never brought it up again.

If Owen could get them, surely her husband could have too, if only he had persisted.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

Finally, Owen caught sight of his Olina.

He let out an astonished cry, then immediately asked, "Mom, are you here to bring trouble to Cecilia again?"

Olina stepped forward, her voice dripping with annoyance, "I haven't done anything. I was just passing by and thought I’d take a look. Don’t assume I’m here to hassle her every time you see me. With her temperament, how could I possibly bother her?"

"She has no respect for the elders," Olina complained.

Before Cecilia could retort, Lucy jumped in to confront Olina, "Elders? I fail to see how Megan qualifies as an respectable elder to Cecilia. She waltzed in here and called Cecilia a harlot. We were merciful just dousing her with a bucket of water. Lucky for her she’s swift on her feet, or I would've snipped her tongue out to feed to the dogs."

"A tongue that can't speak kindness might as well be cut out."

"Mr. Martinez, your mother may not have done anything yet, but she came with ill-intentions. She brought Megan here to verbally abuse Cecilia. Instead of standing up for Cecilia, she found it more fitting to scold Cecilia for not respecting Megan. Who is Megan to your family? Even if Cecilia hasn't married you yet, she could not wrong Cecilia like this!"

"And demanding Cecilia apologize to that vile woman, Mr. Martinez, your mother excels at nothing but inverting right and wrong."

A person like Olina could only behave so recklessly because of the powerful family behind her.

"Lucy!"

Olina was hopping mad at Lucy's tattling.

Catching a glimpse of her son's darkening handsome face, Olina hurriedly explained, "Owen, don’t believe Lucy’s words. She’s in cahoots with Cecilia, and she’s Stefan’s wife. Stefan is your arch- enemy. She’d love nothing more than to see us at odds."

Lucy sneered, "Mrs. Martinez, would you like to review the security footage? I can arrange for you to see exactly what transpired."

Olina was speechless.

It was then Cecilia spoke up, "Owen, the jewelry is too precious, you should give it to your mother instead. I won't wear it. I was intended to accompany you tonight, but after this scene, I don’t feel like going anymore. I can't pretend nothing’s happened and go with you as we planned."

"Wait a second, I'm going to change out of this evening gown and give it back to you. Being cursed for wearing this dress you gave me, I never knew you could be scorned as a harlot for wearing such a gown."

With that, Cecilia turned and left.

Olina was dumbfounded.

Lucy and Cecilia were her nemeses. Every time she came looking for trouble, she ended up being the one who lost.

"Cecilia!" Owen hurried after her.

He took a few steps, then turned to his mother, "Mom, Megan's just flattering you, cozying up to you because she has ulterior motives. When will you realize that she’s taking advantage of you."

"You always think our family is too noble to have Cecilia joined, right? Well, if I can't make Cecilia come with me tonight, I’ll resign as president of the Ikella Group tomorrow. And I’ll renounce my ties to the Martinez family shortly. When I have nothing left, I'll become a son-in-law to the Yates family."

"That way, Cecilia will be superior to me in every way—more noble, wealthier and better. It’s me who won’t be worthy of her, not the other way around."

Olina's face went pale.

Her son could even speak of joining a monastery. Her father-in-law had said he would respect his choice if he truly decided to forsake the world.

"Owen, you're threatening me!"

"I don't want to threaten you, Mom. But you leave me no choice."

Owen pulled out his phone and dialed his father. Once his father answered, he pleaded, "Dad, can you please take care of your wife? Stop letting her and Megan get together to do things that hold me back." Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"She's at Serendipity Cafe now. Come and take her home."

After the call, Owen left his mother behind and hurried after Cecilia.

Lucy initially thought that with a mother like Olina, she should advise her friend to reconsider the relationship with Owen. But after hearing Owen's words, she changed her mind.

Given Owen's passion, sincerity and recklessness, she decided not to step over the line.

Good things often come through trials.

Owen and Cecilia had been through thick and thin to make it to where they were. These hardships only made Owen cherish Cecilia all the more.

Lucy returned the broom to its rightful spot.

The shop was currently empty. She glanced at Olina, whose complexion was an awful shade of green, unsure if she was seething with anger or shaken by Owen's threat. Lucy instructed the young waitress, "Could you please bring Mrs. Martinez a cup of coffee?"

The waitress acknowledged with a nod.

She quickly fetched a cup of cappuccino for Olina.

Olina sat down numbly at a table. After the waitress handed her the glass, she drank a few sips without a word. She looked dazed and her face was pale.

She was itching to leave right then.

But she also wanted to know if her son could sweet-talk Cecilia into staying by his side for the social obligations.

Her son had said that if he couldn't win Cecilia back, he'd resign from his position as CEO of the Ikella Group tomorrow.

Olina had two sons. But the younger son Harry didn't carry the burden of taking over the family business. He was happily pursuing his own interests. If Owen step down from the helm of the Ikella Group, it was clear that Harry would be the one to take over.