Faux Vows, True Desires

Over in one place, a young couple was getting along pretty well.

But over in another, Ruby was restless. The dinner table was covered with all kinds of delicious food, most of which were her favorites.

Owen saw her lost in thought and put down his fork and knife.

"Owen, what's up?" Ruby, seeing him put down his cutlery, couldn't help but ask, "You're not a fan of the food, are you?"

She glanced over the dishes on the table. Owen had ordered mostly her favorites, but many of them were dishes Owen didn't particularly like.

"Ruby, if something's bothering you, spill it. I'll help however I can, or at least find someone who can," he told her.

After a moment of silence, Ruby grabbed two gift bags and put them in front of Owen. A smile crept onto her pretty face. "Owen, these are a tie and a watch I got for you. Do you like them?"

Owen took the bags, checking out the tie and the watch. Both were high-end brands, but the color of the tie was one Stefan would prefer. He suspected these were meant for Stefan and only given to him because Stefan refused to accept them.

Owen kept his suspicions to himself. Regardless of who they were initially intended for, the fact that they'd ended up in his hands meant they were gifts for him, a token of her affection. With this self-deception, Owen comforted himself and said, "Ruby, I love both the tie and the watch."

Seeing him happily accept her gifts, Ruby relaxed and made her request. "Owen, could you look into something for me? How many of Stefan's college friends have younger sisters? Around 23 or 24 years old, pretty, with big, beautiful eyes, and a friendly demeanor?"

The gifts he just received suddenly lost their charm. The smile on Owen's face gradually disappeared. He didn't flat out decline Ruby's request, nor did he agree to it.

Quietly, he poured a full glass of wine for Ruby, and then one for himself. Setting down the bottle, he picked up his glass and said, "Cheers."

Ruby clinked glasses with him.

Owen downed his in one go.

Ruby only took a couple of sips and didn't drink anymore. She was always on guard around Owen, afraid that if she got drunk, Owen might...

After downing three glasses in a row, Owen set his glass down heavily on the table.

"Owen, if you don't want to do this for me, it's fine. I won't blame you. It was my fault for asking you to look into Stefan, given your tense relationship with him."

Ruby, looking guilty, apologized, "But I just got back, and I don't know who else to ask. In Pinehurst, you're my best friend. You're the only one who can help me, and the only one capable of doing so." Most detective agencies wouldn't accept a job involving Stefan, fearing they'd offend him, or even the Anderson family, and be unable to survive in Pinehurst.

The Anderson family had ten young heirs in this generation. Although they were only cousins, they were very close and respected and loved each other, treating Stefan, the eldest cousin, as their leader. They held important positions in various fields. If anyone offended Stefan, his brothers would join forces and very few could withstand the retaliation from these ten young heirs of the Anderson family. Therefore, very few people were willing to investigate matters involving Stefan.

Owen was one of the very few.

"Ruby, I can help you, but I need to be compensated."

Owen's sharp gaze locked onto Ruby's beautiful face. His voice was low, "Investigating matters involving Stefan requires a lot of resources and caution. The risks are also high. Without a reward, I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick."

Ruby breathed a sigh of relief, "Don't worry, I won't let you work for free. Name your price, and I'll transfer the money to you right away."

As she spoke, she grabbed her phone, ready to make the transfer at any moment.

"I don't need money, and I don't want yours."

Although the Martinez family wasn't as powerful as the Anderson family, it was still one of the top five families and not to be underestimated.

"So what do you want? I'll buy it for you."

Owen's eyes were burning, focusing on Ruby's red lips.

Ruby, feeling a bit nervous under his gaze, guessed his intentions. Just as she was about to speak, he beat her to it, "I just want a kiss from you, a French kiss." Ruby, "Owen, you're drunk."

"I'm not." Owen smiled. "What, not willing to pay the fee? Or are you shy? You can't be that conservative."

"I'm not asking you to sleep with me. I just want a deep kiss."

He really wanted her, but he was not going to force her. He was waiting for her to offer herself willingly.

But a kiss, he could press her for that.

Whenever she needed something, she always came to him for help. Especially when she wanted to pursue Stefan, she often sought his help.

She should have been aware of Owen's feelings for her; he'd told her already. But she still used him, turning to him first whenever she needed help.

In the past, he'd helped her a lot for free. Now, he just wanted some compensation. That was not too much to ask, was it?

"Owen, we're just friends. I... I'm uncomfortable." Ruby looked for excuses.

Owen's voice was low, "Ruby, I don't want to just be your friend!"

He wanted to be her lover.

"You're uncomfortable, fine, I'll do it. Just don't resist."

Owen poured himself another glass of wine. Leaning back and swirling his glass, he watched the liquid inside tracing a beautiful arc.

"Did you notice a woman around Stefan recently that you don't recognize?" Owen began to bait her. "You think she's your love rival, but you don't know who she is or where she comes from." Ruby's eyes lit up, "You knew?"

"When I wanna know, I know. When I don't wanna know, I don't know a thing. It all depends on if the payoff's worth it."

Ruby's cheeks flushed a bit. She looked at Owen.

He was a looker, she had no feelings for him, but she didn't dislike him either. She did, however, enjoy the benefits his affection brought her. Giving him a peck wouldn't really be a loss. According to him, after all her years gallivanting abroad, apart from not giving her virginity, her kissing game was on point.

"Owen..."

"I'll only take a kiss, let's leave it at that."

Ruby's breath hitched for a moment.