Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 400

Jay sat in silence, listening as Owen cursing the bandit who had dared to cross him.

Ever since Owen had fallen for Ms. Yates, he had become more human, more down-to-earth.

The power of love, it seemed, could truly change a man.

When Owen finally ran out of steam, Jay ventured to ask, "Sir, do you want to go after the bandit?"

"Spread the word that I was attacked and injured by a bandit. The scoundrel will turn himself in."

Given Owen's reputation, the mere hint of his involvement in the bandit's capture could send the rogue running to the sheriff's office, saving them the trouble of a manhunt. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

"And replace the streetlights in that alley, they're too dim."

Cecilia's route home was a dangerous one. It gave Owen an excuse to escort her every day, but he couldn't ignore the problem forever.

"Look into the bandit. If he doesn't turn himself in, we'll take him to the sheriff ourselves."

"Understood."

With his orders given, Owen ended the call.

Recalling the detective agency's report from the previous evening, he retrieved it from his desk and settled down on the sofa.

"Arno, let's see what kind of saint you are, hiding your secrets even from me."

Sarcasm laced Owen's words as he pulled out the report on Avery and began to read.

After finishing, he rose abruptly, forgoing even a change of clothes, and headed out the door.

The Harrison estate was quiet in the early morning.

Its residents were not early risers.

Only Trenton, troubled by insomnia in his advanced age, would rise early to do exercises.

When Owen emerged from the house, he spotted his grandfather in the yard, practicing his morning routine with his cousin, Harry Harrison, who had always coveted Owen's position.

Harry was no less capable than Owen.

It was simply a matter of lineage. As the eldest son, Owen held the advantage. Harry born to a different mother, and the patriarch clearly favored his first wife's children. Despite his abilities, Harry was overlooked for the role of heir.

Unless Owen screwed up, did something that would disgrace their company, his grandfather wouldn't remove him from his position as CEO.

In the past, Owen had been deeply in love with Ruby. His devotion to her often led him to make decisions that displeased his grandfather. Harry’s family members saw this as an opportunity and silently cheered Owen on, hoping he would lose his position as heir. However, Owen ended up breaking up with Ruby.

All thanks to Stefan, who had pulled some strings.

Harry was resentful, but he remained powerless. His only recourse was to curry favor with his grandfather, hoping that when the time came to divide the family fortune, they wouldn't be neglected.

"Good morning, brother."

Harry greeted Owen with a respectful nod.

"Morning."

In front of his grandfather, Owen made an effort to maintain a civil facade, returning his cousin's greeting.

"What happened to your arm?"

Harry paused his practice to ask, concern coloring his tone.

Spotting the bandage wrapped around Owen's arm, Trenton also halted his movements.

Seeing his grandson clutching a piece of paper, his expression grim, Trenton had a hunch about what was going on.

"I got into a brawl with a bandit while escorting your sister-in-law home last night. Got a bit hurt."

Owen explained.

"But didn't you divorce your wife?"

That piece of news had been leaked by Owen's mom.

Owen's expression darkened. He knew his mother couldn't keep her mouth shut and had likely spread the news of his divorce with Cecilia.

Despite this, he had no intentions of marrying some high-society ladies his mother chose. Marriage was a lifelong commitment. If he couldn't marry the woman he loved, he'd rather stay a bachelor.

He wouldn't settle.

"Who said divorced couples can't get back together? Cecilia will be your sister-in-law once again."

Harry laughed, "Then good luck, brother. Win your wife back soon."

"Don't worry, it's only a matter of time. Grandfather, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Harry noticed the paper in Owen's hand. He was curious about its contents but knew better than to ask. He excused himself, "Grandfather, I'll go change and join you for breakfast later."

"Alright."

Once Harry had left, Trenton headed back into the house, with Owen in tow.

"Grandfather, Avery was your doing!"

Avery had no real background. It was easy to dig up his past. The only reason Owen hadn't been able to was because his grandfather was pulling the strings.

No wonder.

He had thought his skills were lacking, but his grandfather had been meddling.

Thinking about how his grandfather had sent someone to compete with him for his wife made Owen's blood boil.

Did his grandfather think he wasn't having a hard enough time winning his wife back?

"What's the point of asking when you already know the answer?"

Trenton showed no remorse.

He sat down on the living room sofa, taking the report from Owen and scanning it. "Cipher Detectives do have some skills, uncovering this matter so clearly."

"Grandfather, why would you do this? I thought you liked Cecilia. Why sabotage me?"

"Didn't you read the report? Avery is gay. He's interested in men. He's a man of Cedric's, and he only agreed to my conditions for the sake of Cedric's business."

Owen had missed this detail.

He had been so furious at discovering his grandfather's involvement that he had overlooked it.

If his grandfather weren't an elder, Owen would have lost his temper.

Choking back his anger, Owen finally managed to respond, "What if he changes his preference because of Cecilia?"

"If you can't even compete with a gay man, who can you blame? Blame yourself for being incompetent."

"It's not like I’m holding you back, I’m giving you a push. Without me meddling, would you have realized your feelings for Cecilia? Maybe you'd still be stuck, lost, unable to climb out of that pit Ruby pushed you into. By the time you'd managed to get out on your own, Cecilia might've moved on, and you wouldn't have a shot at winning her back."

Trenton spoke, his gaze filled with disapproval as he looked at Owen.

"Look at you. You can't even get The Ikella Group to surpass Ascend Global. In love, you're no better than Stefan. If it weren't for me intervening, who knows where you'd be now."

Owen: "If you're that disappointed in me and so fond of Stefan, why don't you make him your grandson?"

Always judging him, thinking he had no pride?