Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 392

"What are you standing around for? Come and say hello to Darlene."

Lucinda was troubled by the aloofness her brother exhibited towards Darlene.

Darlene was a beautiful woman, and if Keith showed no interest in her, Lucinda was left wondering what kind of girl could possibly catch her brother's attention.

Upon their mother's prompting, Keith took a few steps forward. He gave Darlene a polite nod, his face remaining as cool and expressionless as ever. He did not bother to exchange pleasantries, but in his own way had greeted her.

He had only bothered to show this much courtesy for his sister's sake.

Otherwise, he would've kept a safe distance of at least ten feet.

Darlene had been watching this man from the corner of her eye. At first, she thought he was a bodyguard for Lucinda and her mother, but when she saw the actual bodyguards standing at a distance, she realized he was not one of them. Now, knowing that he was the heir of the Blue family, she gave him a closer look.

According to her research on the Blue family, Keith seemed to be a bit of a recluse, especially when it came to women outside his family. At twenty-four, he hadn't even had his first love, and in matters of the heart, he was as innocent as a blank slate.

He was handsome, if a bit frosty, and under normal circumstances, would've had a slew of girls chasing after him. But he remained untouched, probably due to his parents' failed marriage, which had likely left him wary of relationships.

This was Darlene's hypothesis and it gave her a pang of sympathy for him.

Seeing her stare, Keith assumed she was like every other woman who had laid eyes on him. He figured she was infatuated with him.

He frowned slightly, annoyed by her attention. He glared back at Darlene. But instead of adoration, he saw sympathy in her eyes.

Sympathy?

She pitied him?

Did he need her sympathy?

Was she using this tactic to capture his attention?

Keith doubted Darlene for a moment, but he quickly dismissed his suspicions.

He trusted his sister’s judgment.

His sister would not befriend a woman like that.

Like Cecilia, who saw him as nothing more than a good-looking guy. There was no adoration in her eyes, just a calm acceptance. She probably saw him more as a brother than anything else.

Of course, Cecilia might not have noticed his charm because she had eyes only for Owen.

It seemed that he wasn’t as great as he thought.

Keith was well aware of his reputation among women in Skywatch, and it wasn't a favorable one.

"Keith, this is Darlene, my new friend. You don’t have to put on such a cold face, you're scaring her," Lucinda interrupted their silent stare-off, hoping to prevent a full-blown confrontation.

Keith broke his gaze from Darlene and turned to his sister. His frosty demeanor melted away, replaced by a gentle smile that made Darlene blink in surprise.

"Alright, alright. I won’t keep a straight face. Is this better?" Keith's tone was indulgent.

Darlene marveled at how affectionate he was towards his sister, much like how her own sister doted on her.

Lucinda looped her arm through Darlene’s, reassuring her, "Darlene, this is my elder brother, Keith. He always has this stern look on his face like someone owes him a fortune, but you don't have to be afraid of him. We owe him nothing, so even if he looks as cold as marble, don't be intimidated."

Darlene laughed, "I’m not afraid of him."

Janice was relieved to hear Darlene's response. If she had been scared, there would be no chance of a future for the two.

Keith would never be attracted to a woman who was frightened of him.

After the introductions, Lucinda, Darlene, and Janice went shopping.

To the outside world, Darlene seldom went out.

But in reality, she knew every nook and cranny of Pinehurst, as her job as a detective often required her to explore the city.