Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 465

Staring at the ruffian hanging around Cecilia and that woman with the surname West—oh, it was certainly a pseudonym—they were just petty crooks on Kris's payroll, clueless about who Kris's actual contact was.

Cecilia's expression shifted, her grip on Lucinda's hand suddenly firm.

"Lucy, you don't think Mr. Malicious is in trouble, do you?"

Lucinda quickly reassured her, "No way, Mr. Malicious loves to showboat. The only time he doesn't want a crowd is when he's with you, to avoid a third wheel. Otherwise, he's always surrounded by a squad of bodyguards."

"His status and his clout mean the Porter family wouldn't dare hurt him directly. If Madeleine's peeved with him, she'd go after you to make him regret it, rather than confront him head-on."

"But why hasn't he come around in days? He's usually like clingfilm, practically stuck to me 24/7. If he's not here, he's definitely up to something risky behind my back."

Lucinda was at a loss for words.

She truly had no idea what Owen had been up to these past few days.

"If you're that worried, why not call him now and see what he's doing?"

Cecilia immediately dialed Owen's number.

It took him a while to pick up.

"Mr. Malicious, what are you busy with?"

Owen chuckled, "Cecilia, when did I become Mr. Malicious again? I was just getting some shut-eye when your call woke me. It's been days since I've had a good night's sleep, I'm beat."

"What's been keeping you so busy that you can't even sleep right?"

Cecilia's voice softened unconsciously.

Lucinda stood up and walked away.

She took a seat across from Darlene.

Upon seeing her approach, Darlene set down the coffee she'd been nursing and gazed at Lucinda with tender eyes.

"Darlene."

"Mhm."

Even her voice was soft, like a gentle spring breeze.

Lucinda really loved hearing Darlene talk; it was so soothing, it almost lulled her to sleep.

She never knew a woman could be this tender, even more so than her own mother.

"You're truly beautiful!"

Darlene's smile was as warm as the first days of spring. She was naturally stunning, but in Lucinda's eyes, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Watching her smile, Lucinda was mesmerized, her hands reaching out to gently cup Darlene's face, "Darlene, stop smiling, or I'll fall at your feet and end up fighting your future husband for you."

She was dead set on playing matchmaker for Darlene and her brother, even if it meant competing for Darlene's affections.

"Lucy, you're not half bad yourself, quite the looker."

Darlene gently removed Lucinda's hands.

Lucinda caught hold of her hand again, caressing it with gentle, greedy strokes as if admiring a precious gem.

Such delicate and soft hands didn't seem like they belonged to a trained fighter.

Word had it that fighters had strong grips and rough, calloused hands, but Darlene's were smooth, slender, and well-maintained, betraying no signs of her skill.

Darlene's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Lucy, I'd be afraid Mr. Coleman might show up and see you like this—he'd probably chop off my hands."