Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 396

Upon seeing someone emerge, Hayden quickly adjusted his attire.

"Mr. Blue."

The maid came out, her face stern. "Miss Porter doesn't want to see you. You're to leave."

Hayden hastily asked, "Is Madeleine feeling better?"

The maid remained cold. "I haven't seen Miss Porter. Mr. Blue, she doesn't want to hear anything about you. Please, do not come again."

"I just want to apologize to Madeleine face-to-face, make amends."

The maid remained silent.

This wasn't her call to make.

She delivered the message, ignored Hayden and turned to walk away, closing the mansion door behind her.

Hayden pulled out his phone to call Madeleine. She had been unreachable for days, but this time, her phone actually connected.

He was over the moon.

Sadly, Madeleine didn't pick up his call.

No matter how many times he dialed, the result was the same.

With no other option, Hayden left the bouquet of flowers and several sets of jewelry he brought at the entrance of the Porter family mansion. He then texted Madeleine, saying he had left the gifts as an apology. He also mentioned that if she needed him to take responsibility, he would do so without hesitation.

After sending the message, he waited for a while, but received no response from Madeleine. With a heavy heart, he returned to his car and drove away.

Soon after, another servant came out, threw away the flowers, and took the jewelry inside. However, Madeleine didn't want Hayden's gifts and gave the jewelry to the housemaids.

At the coffee shop, Owen had been volunteering his help all day. Seeing Cecilia sit down at the cash register with no customers around, he took it as a chance to rest and walked over.

"Cecilia, it's quiet now in the shop. How about we go out for dinner?"

Cecilia casually responded, "I've already ordered some takeout."

After a pause, she added, "I ordered something fancy for you."

As it was the weekend, Owen didn't have to work. He had turned down all other invitations, opting not to join his friends for golfing or sailing as usual, and instead spending his time helping out at the Serendipity Cafe.

No matter how much Cecilia tried to send him away, he refused to leave. So, she let him be.

Owen sat down at the cash register, grinning. "So, my order is special?"

"Yes, it's the most special, and I ordered your favorite food."

"You know what I like?"

Perhaps she had feelings for him, too.

Owen thought happily.

Cecilia fell silent, counted out a thousand dollars, and put it in front of Owen. "This is your pay for today. I can't let you work for free. Though I can't afford to pay you more, you chose to stay and help."

Owen immediately tried to give the money back. "Cecilia, we don't need to be formal."

"What kind of relationship do we have? Giving you money makes me feel better. We owe nothing to each other."

Cecilia forcefully handed him the money. "Take it, or you won't be allowed to help here anymore."