Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 64

The whole time, Ike was basically a mute. Anything his little sis could handle, he didn't need to butt in.

Even though their family doted on her, they never spoiled her rotten. They were always there for her, trying to help her grow into a strong, independent woman. But just as she was starting to blossom, she got all starry-eyed for Stefan.

"I'm gonna change."

Ike gently tousled her hair and said softly, "Go ahead."

Lucinda wasn't bothered by Mrs. Mitchell's comment about her looking nothing like her brother.

When Lucinda went into the apartment complex, Ike fell into deep thought. The whole family knew Lucinda wasn't their biological daughter. His real sister got sick when she was just a few months old and didn't make it. Everyone was heartbroken, especially their mom, who cried every day.

Dad's attempts to comfort her were useless. Then one day, Dad brought home Lucinda, a child he said he found.

She was dressed in nice clothes and wore a gold necklace. His real sister's name was Lucinda, so they gave the orphan that name.

Lucinda wore that gold necklace for years. After she started school, she stopped wearing it and it was now kept safely by their mom.

Lucinda had been part of the Moore family for nearly 24 years and was as much a part of the family as anyone else. As for the fact that Lucinda didn't resemble them, their mother told a white lie, saying she took after her grandmother, not them. Their grandmother had passed away a long time

ago; Ike didn't even have any memory of her. So, Lucinda didn't pay much attention to comments about her not looking like them.

Lucinda quickly finished changing.

Ike watched as his sister slowly approached him. Even in a plain long dress, she was a natural beauty. The thought of his sweet sister being with Stefan made him feel blue.

"Ike."

Lucinda ran over happily, a sweet smile on her beautiful face. Her dark eyes were as bright as stars in the night sky.

She'd put on a light makeup, probably for Stefan. In the past, she rarely put on makeup.

Girls were smitten by boys too easily. In no time at all, Stefan had his sister wrapped around his finger.

"Let's leave. I'm starving."

Ike gently patted her forehead and said, "That's what you get for sleeping in his lounge till now. It's late and you must be famished. I thought Stefan and I were having such a great chat he forgot to eat, but he was actually waiting for you to wake up."

Lucinda just chuckled and didn't say anything.

Once they got in the car, she buckled her seatbelt and said, "It's so cool today because of the rain, that's why I fell asleep so easily. I'm sorry for making you starve. Once I get my paycheck, I'll treat you to a nice meal."

Before Ike started the car, he indulgently patted her forehead again, "I think you're trying to sabotage me. Eating heavy at night can make people fat. Are you trying to make me fat so I can't get a girl?"

Lucinda laughed happily.

"That's not it. You are handsome and charming. You can get anyone you want whenever you want. But you're not getting any younger. You're turning thirty next year. If you don't find a partner soon, people will start thinking you're an old man."

Ike was speechless. A man in his thirties was still young. He was not an old man.

The siblings chatted and laughed all the way to Ascend Hotel.

Stefan was waiting outside the hotel with another man.

"Lucy." As soon as Ike parked the car, Stefan came over. He gallantly helped Lucinda open the car door, intending to help her out.

"Stefan, I can walk just fine. I don't need your help."

Lucinda tried to dodge Stefan's hand, but he ended up lifting her out of the car.

Lucinda blushed instantly because the stranger was grinning at her. Ike looked puzzled as Stefan held his sister and didn't let go. Was he being ignored?

"Stefan." Ike called out sternly. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Stefan looked at Ike, grinned, and casually put Lucinda down. Then he whispered, "I wouldn't mind carrying you in."

Lucinda gently scolded him. His affectionate gaze left her speechless.

Ike quickly walked over and pulled his sister away from Stefan.

The unfamiliar man also approached, joking, "Ike, are you afraid my brother will steal your sister?"

Only then did Lucinda realize this man was Stefan's brother. He had many brothers, which one was this? She eyed the stranger. He looked a bit like Stefan, probably a blood brother?

Ike replied seriously and sternly, "They should be mindful of public perception. If the press recognizes Stefan and posts a video of him online, it will only cause trouble for my sister."

Eric was speechless. He knew his cousin's reputation. If someone snapped a photo of him carrying a woman into the Ascend Global hotel, it would certainly get the media buzzing. Though many guessed who Lucinda was when his cousin took her to a business cocktail party, nobody outed her. So, his cousin was still relatively low-profile.

Owen wanted everyone in the city to know Stefan was married, but Ruby didn't. She asked Owen not to spread the news. Reluctantly, Owen agreed. So Lucinda's identity remained a secret.

"Lucy, this is my cousin. He's my uncle's son, Eric."

Stefan slickly positioned himself between the Moore siblings, introduced his younger cousin to Lucinda, successfully separated the two siblings and once again stood beside his wife.

“Hi there.” Lucinda greeted politely.

She originally thought they were blood brothers, but it turns out he was the son of one of Stefan's uncles. Surprisingly, they looked a bit alike, guess they both took after their dads.

“Hello.”

“Food is ready, please come in.” Eric made an inviting gesture.

Lucinda nodded in agreement.

Stefan took her hand and they entered the hotel together.

Following closely behind was Ike. It was only when he bumped into Eric's arm that Ike realized his sister had been whisked away by Stefan once again. That sneaky bugger!

“Ike, do you have beef with my cousin?”

Eric asked as they walked, his voice barely a whisper to avoid the couple in front, hand in hand, looking so lovey-dovey.

Ike snorted, “As if I’d dare, he is the big shot CEO of Ascend Global!”

Eric chuckled, “That makes it sound a bit uncomfortable.”

He had seen Stefan at the station before, as well as Ike. Thinking back, they should have known each other for about eight or nine years now.