Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 170

Ike hoisted the bag in his hand and presented it to Owen for a closer look.

"This is dessert, made by Cecilia. She made me two boxes. Both Cecilia and Lucy make mouth-watering sweets, Owen. Would you like to try them?"

Owen's face twisted in dissatisfaction, and he said, "I'm not much of a sweet tooth unless it's made by Ruby herself, then I might deign to try a bit."

Ike put the bag down and laughed a little but didn't respond.

Everyone in Pinehurst knew about Owen's feelings for Ruby and Ruby's feelings for Stefan.

“What are you doing here? Are you here to stir up trouble again at the Serendipity Cafe?"

Ike shifted the topic, inquiring about Owen's intentions.

He wasn't sure about the relationship between Owen and Cecilia, and assumed Owen was here for trouble.

In the past, anyone who dared to bad-mouth Ruby would face Owen's wrath. Now that Ruby was detained, Owen must be fuming and plotting revenge on Cecilia and Lucy.

Lucy had Stefan as her knight in shining armor, but Cecilia was left defenseless.

Thinking this, Ike warned, "Owen, it's Ruby's fault. Even if you want to protect and favor her, you have to be reasonable. Don't think you can bully Cecilia just because she has no one to protect her. If you dare to touch her! I won't let you off lightly!"

Though Ike wasn't exactly Owen's equal in many ways, it didn't stop him from standing up for Cecilia.

Owen frowned at Ike's words, then lifted his eyebrows and gave Ike an up-and-down look.

"What?" Ike asked, visibly annoyed.

He didn't appreciate Owen's scrutinizing gaze.

Seeing the two men in conversation, Cecilia feared a confrontation and stepped in.

Owen, seeing Cecilia approach, leaned in and whispered to Ike, "Do you have a thing for Cecilia? Is that why you're so hell-bent on protecting her?"

Before Ike could respond, Cecilia had already reached them.

"Mr. Malicious, what brings you here?" Cecilia asked.

Owen stood up, his face darkened at her choice of words. He reached out to pull Cecilia closer, intending to give her a piece of his mind, but Ike caught his hand.

"Owen!" Ike warned, glaring at Owen.

A tense stand-off ensued between the two men.

Finally, Owen shook off Ike's hand, "Since you enjoy being a protector, for the sake of our years of acquaintance, I'll let you do it once today and won't teach her a lesson."

With that, Owen strolled past Cecilia and Ike, heading straight for the cafe.

His bodyguards followed closely behind.

"Cecilia, come here. I want some coffee and sweets!" Owen called out as he walked.

Ike wanted to follow him into the cafe but was stopped by Cecilia.

"Ike, go about your business. Mr. Malicious might be a bit of a tough cookie, but he's not all bad. I can handle him."

"Owen will do anything for Ruby. I should come with you. If he tries anything, I'll be there to protect you."

How could Ike just let Cecilia face Owen alone?

"Ike, it's really fine. Owen's here to collect a favor. I asked him for help when Lucy got in trouble. He's here to discuss terms. He won't do anything to me, don't worry."