Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 24

Savannah burst into laughter, "You young people always love to spring surprises."

She then asked with concern, "Are you staying at your place?" Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Ruby hesitated before she answered, "I planned to stay at my place, but nobody's home most of the time and the house is getting a bit old. I want to renovate it. It's not so convenient staying in a hotel all the time, so I was thinking..."

Savannah chuckled and watched her without interrupting.

"Savannah, could I stay at your place temporarily? I’ll move back once the renovation is done. I'll pay the rent."

"Why should you pay rent? This isn't a hostel," Savannah refused the rent but didn't give Ruby a straight answer. "Ruby, I'm old and retired. I don't bother with company or household matters anymore, it's all Stefan's job now. He's the decision maker at home."

"You need to negotiate with Stefan if you want to stay at our place. If he agrees, you're welcome to move in anytime. Patrick and I would be delighted to have you."

Ruby was taken aback, she didn't expect Savannah to say that.

Go to Stefan?

Ruby knew very well that Stefan would never let her stay at the Anderson Manor. Despite the numerous guest rooms, he still held a grudge against her due to past incidents. It would be difficult for her to move in.

"I'll go surprise Stefan at his office later."

Besides herself, Stefan and Owen, Ruby hadn't let anyone else know about her real relationship with Stefan.

Let everyone believe she's the girl Stefan has liked since childhood.

Savannah agreed.

After a bit more chatting with Savannah, Ruby made an excuse and left the Ascend Estate.

An hour later.

Ascend Global.

Stefan and Edgar talked about work as they walked from a meeting. Edgar nodded from time to time, occasionally offering his opinion.

"Stefan."

A voice that was both strange and familiar rang out.

The voice was delicate, if it wasn't so crisp, Stefan might not have noticed someone was calling him.

He stopped in his tracks to see Ruby clutching a limited-edition luxury handbag, carrying two bags. As he looked at her, she came over with a sweet smile.

Edgar felt like whistling, but he dared not. He feared if he did whistle, there would be trouble.

"Stefan, are you busy?"

Ruby asked with a smile, glancing at Edgar.

Edgar got the hint. Did she think he was intruding?

"Mr. Coleman, I'll get back to work."

After Edgar left, Stefan asked dryly, "What is it?"

Ruby felt a pang in her heart.

She looked at Stefan's still handsome face. In fact, she had thought about giving up on him. But this man was too exceptional, she just couldn't let him go.

If she couldn't let go, then she would fight for him.

"Can't I come see you?"

Stefan turned and headed for his office.

When he passed Iris, he shot her a glare.

Ms. Scott always visited Mr. Coleman when she returned home every year. Everyone said she was his childhood sweetheart and that he had stayed single waiting for her to settle down in the country.

So, when Ms. Scott showed up this time, Iris didn't stop her.

And now, trouble.

Mr. Coleman was angry.

Ruby bit her lip. Stefan's attitude made her want to turn and leave. She had her pride too.

In fact, if she was willing, Owen would marry her instantly.

In the end, Ruby followed Stefan.

Stefan's face was grim.

Anyone looking at him now would know he was angry and that he detested this woman.

Sitting down at his desk, Stefan didn't look at Ruby, he just busied himself with his work.

Ruby poured herself a glass of water and one for Stefan too.

She put the two bags she was holding on the desk, then sat across from Stefan.

"Stefan, do you dislike me that much? I've been away for some time."

Ruby sighed as she looked at him.

"Even if you don't love me, we grew up together. There's friendship if not love. After not seeing each other for so long, you don't have to treat me like this."

Ever since her failed attempt to seduce him into bed, he had never looked at her kindly.

Everyone thought they were a couple because she kept up the facade, making everyone believe that Stefan was staying single to wait for her to settle down.

Stefan didn't look up, he said coolly, "If there's something, say it. If not, the door's over there, please."

Ruby was lost for words.

His attitude towards her was getting worse.

This meant her actions were becoming more and more disgusting.

Looking at his handsome face, Ruby swallowed her anger.

"Stefan, I'm not leaving this time."

"What's that got to do with me?"

Where she wanted to go or whether she wanted to return was none of his business.

Ruby was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm planning to renovate my house. It was built twenty years ago, it's too old and needs renovation."

"No money? I don't have any to lend."

Ruby was once again at a loss for words.

He had no money? Nobody would believe that!

As the CEO of Ascend Global, he was the richest.

"I didn't plan on borrowing money from you for the renovation."

"Even if you wanted to, I couldn't lend it."

He now had a family. If she wanted to borrow money, she had to get his wife's approval first.

Ruby was so furious with Stefan she wanted to explode.

She held her tongue for a bit, then finally got it all out, "Look, I'm not short of cash, alright? I got a pretty good job, and I'm earning more than I can spend. What I'm saying is, my house is being renovated and I got no place to stay, so I thought I could crash at the Ascend Estate. Savannah told me to run it by you, said you're the boss around here."

And then, she added, "I'll pay rent, of course."

"Sorry, but the Ascend Estate isn't up for rent, and we don't need your money. There are plenty of hotels out there, loads of five-star ones too, you're free to take your pick. If you're not a fan of hotels, the Martinez family is more than willing to put you up."

"I can't really stay with the Martinez family."

"So you're cool with staying at my place then? Maybe you're cool, but I'm definitely not."

He's a married man now, and if his wife finds out that Ruby's crashing at their place, he'd be in a whole heap of trouble.

Ruby took a few deep breaths, but she didn't blow her top. She found that when dealing with Stefan, she could become very calm, very quickly.

"Stefan, I got you a tie and a watch."

Ruby picked up two bags and handed them over to Stefan.