Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 145

Cecilia's phone started ringing.

She pulled it out of her pocket and said to Hudson, "It's gotta be Lucy calling me."

But her expression slightly changed when she saw the caller ID.

After noticing her change of face, her brother jokingly asked, "Not Lucy? Who's on the line?"

"I've met him a few times; I guess you could say he's a friend."

Cecilia didn't say outright that it was Owen, nor did she hide it from Hudson; she simply answered Owen's call.

"Cecilia."

"I'm here; what's up? Why are you calling me this late?"

"Do you remember what you promised me when you asked me to help Lucinda?"

Cecilia nodded, "Yeah, you need my help already? Just spill it; whatever you need me to do, if I can, I'll do it. Even if I'm up against the wall, I won't hesitate."

Owen was silent for a moment, then said, "You won't be up against the wall. Just bring your ID tomorrow and meet me at nine. We're getting our marriage certificate."

Cecilia's phone slipped from her hand and dropped to the floor.

She was stunned.

Owen thought something had happened when he heard a noise and anxiously called her, "Cecilia, Cecilia, what's wrong?"

After hearing a strange man's voice and seeing Cecilia's shocked face, her brother quickly picked up the phone, "Who are you? What did you say to my sister? You've got her all flustered." "Is Cecilia okay?"

Owen knew his request would startle Cecilia.

He was forced into a corner. If he could, he wouldn't want to scare Cecilia like this.

But thinking about how Cecilia was so startled that she dropped her phone made him feel uncomfortable.

Did she really dislike him that much?

When she needed his help, she called him right away.

Just as Cecilia's brother was about to continue speaking, Cecilia snatched the phone back.

Cecilia took the phone and walked a bit further away, avoiding Hudson, then said to Owen on the other end, "Mr. Martinez, are you drunk? Or are you sick? Or possessed? I know a guy who's good at dealing with this stuff; I can introduce you to him."

Owen was speechless.

"Where are you?"

"I'm having a barbecue and drinking beer at a restaurant near my house with my brother."

"I'll send someone to pick you up; we'll talk when we meet."

Cecilia was silent.

"Let's leave it at that. It's hard to explain over the phone. Send me your location, and I'll arrange a driver to pick you up right away."

After saying that, Owen hung up the phone.

Cecilia had no choice but to send her location. She wanted to know why Owen suddenly wanted to marry her.

Wasn't Ruby his true love?

Was Trenton forcing him?

Oh my God!

She guessed right.

His grandfather really was forcing him to marry her.

Should she marry him or not?

He was still holding the past against her.

When she asked him to help save Lucinda, she promised that if he needed her help in the future, she would lend a hand.

Words once spoken couldn't be taken back.

An hour later, Cecilia saw Owen at his private villa.

He was drinking a lot. Although he was not drunk, he reeked of alcohol.

"Mr. Martinez, spill it; what the hell happened?" After following Webster in, Cecilia didn't bother with anything else and quickly walked to Owen's side, anxiously asking him.

Owen motioned for her to sit down.

Cecilia took the seat across from him.

"Cecilia, do you have psychic powers? What you predicted really happened; my grandfather is forcing me to marry you."

Cecilia was silent.

So he was being forced.

Even though Trenton knew she and Owen had no feelings for each other, he still forced Owen to marry her. Although he didn't like Ruby, he shouldn't sacrifice her like this. Marrying Owen was like jumping into a fire pit.

Owen was in love with Ruby.

She had no confidence in beating Ruby, nor did she want to challenge her because she had no feelings for Owen. She didn't love him and didn't care who he loved.

"My grandfather said if I don't act according to his arrangements, he'll remove me from the position of president of the Ikella Group, let my cousin take over, kick me out of the Martinez family, and cut off all relations with me. He won't leave me any opportunities in any place he has influence, basically leaving me with nothing."

"...Is he really your grandfather?"

That was harsh.

Owen gave a bitter smile, "My grandfather would do something like this to stop me from marrying Ruby. Once he's made up his mind, no one can change it."

Cecilia was silent for a moment, then said, "I think I understand why you lost to Mr. Coleman."

Stefan was the president of Ascend Global, a man with real power that no one could suppress.

Although Owen was also the president of the Ikella Group, he still had a grandfather who could remove him at any time.

"Have you ever tried to fight back?"

"No use. Unless I elope with Ruby."

"No way, Ruby won't elope with you. If you have nothing left and can't help her, she'll cut you off. You're dreaming."

Owen was silent.

He looked at Cecilia, "Even you say that, is Ruby really so heartless? We grew up together; last time when you pretended to be my girlfriend, she got angry and slapped you, so she must care about me, right?" "You're her backup. If she can't marry Mr. Coleman, marrying you is not bad, but she can't let go of Mr. Coleman, so you have to stand by. If someone snatches her backup, what will she do when she realizes she can't enter the Anderson family? Where else can she find a fool like you who is so loyal to her?"

Owen was wearing a frown that could curdle milk.

Was he really that thick?

"Mr. Martinez, you're choosing to protect your own status and identity. You and I, we've got no sparks flying. Even if we tie the knot, it won't be a bed of roses. You should have a talk with your grandad to see if you can get him to change his tune."

Owen shook his head with a bitter laugh. "No dice; my grandad only gave me two options. If I want to keep my status, I have to put a ring on you, or else it's game over."

"But..."

"Cecilia, we can get married, but after that, we keep out of each other's hair. My grandad is already long in the tooth; once he kicks the bucket, I promise I'll set you free. Plus, I'll give you a hefty sum of money. You won't have to carry the title of my wife for nothing."

"Can I take a rain check?"

"You once said that wherever I needed you, you'd have my back. What? Are you getting cold feet now?"