Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 350

When Stefan came back to the room, Lucinda had already taken a shower.

She was sitting up against the headboard in her nightclothes, flipping through a book. When she saw him, she flashed a smile, “Did your brother leave?”

“I don’t know if he left or not, and I don’t have time to babysit him on the couch.”

Stefan walked over, bent down, and planted a gentle kiss on Lucinda’s cheek, “My love, you smell delightful.”

He was about to collapse on her when she pushed him away, “Go take a shower.”

“Alright, wait for me. I'll be quick.”

He stole another kiss on her lips before heading towards the bathroom, a satisfied grin on his face.

For the young couple, the night was filled with passion. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

But for another, it was filled with torment.

After a few days on a business trip, Nathan returned to his home in Skywatch on his private jet in the early evening.

Exhausted, he didn't return to the office but went directly home.

Once home, there was a slew of household matters that required his attention.

Madeleine showed up after taking care of things at home, and he had to muster all his energy to deal with her.

Madeleine had been waiting for Nathan to return. She even visited Keith during the day.

She and Keith didn’t get along, and everyone in Skywatch knew that. If she were to marry into the Blue family, she would become Keith's stepmother, a stepmother who was only two years older than her stepson. The potential for conflict was obvious to anyone.

So, their dislike for each other was an open secret. Normally, Madeleine wouldn't visit Keith, and he wouldn't want to see her either.

But now that Nathan was back, Madeleine would not miss her chance. She decided to spend the night at the Blue mansion.

At this point, it was late at night. Except for the master of the house and Madeleine, everyone else, including the servants, was asleep. Even if they were awake, they wouldn't dare to venture out.

Madeleine had given them plenty of incentives to stay in their rooms for the night. Unless the sky was falling, they were not to disturb them.

"Nathan, it's late, and I know you're tired from your trip. Let me take you to your room to rest."

Madeleine glanced at the time, guessing that Keith would be back soon. She thought getting Nathan to bed before Keith returned would be best.

Her ultimate goal was for Keith to see them entering the room together and then notice the lights going out. That would surely infuriate Keith and also push Janice further towards a divorce from Nathan.

Madeleine had been frustrated by Keith earlier in the day. She returned home and discussed with her father the possibility of assassinating Keith. If Keith were to die, even if Lucinda returned to the Blue family, she would not pose a threat to Madeleine.

Lucinda had grown up in Pinehurst and had not been involved in the family business for over twenty years. She merely ran a service-oriented coffee shop and couldn't possibly take over the massive

Blue Corporation, even if she married into the Anderson family, the wealthiest family in Pinehurst.

In the end, Madeleine’s father remained silent. He neither agreed nor disagreed with her plan.

Madeleine knew what her father was thinking about. If they did send an assassin after Keith and the attempt failed, they would lose one of their assassins.

Training an assassin was not an easy feat.

Madeleine, for now, shelved the idea of having Keith killed. Her current priority was to seduce Nathan.

Nathan rubbed his temples, "I am rather tired. The moment I got back, I had to deal with so many household matters. It's given me a headache. I guess I'm getting old. I should let Keith help me out."

"He is the heir, and it's only right that he shares some of the responsibilities."

Madeleine felt a pang of unease at his words.

"Nathan, you should help your son find a wife. Once a man settles down, he becomes more mature and responsible. Then he'll have the patience to help you with the household matters. Even if he doesn't have the time, his wife, as the lady of the Blue family, can assist."

Nathan's eyes sparkled, and his mouth curved into a smirk. "Now that Lucy's hitched, Keith can't even snag a girlfriend. He's no spring chicken anymore and should be thinking about settling down, but he's as dense as an old oak. Trying to get him to marry is like pulling teeth."

"Ah, well, let's not bother about his love life for now. He's only twenty-four, still a whippersnapper. A man marrying at thirty isn't considered late. Let him sow his wild oats for a few more years. Madeleine, let's head upstairs to rest."

Madeleine, scheming about orchestrating Keith's matrimonial affairs, took Nathan's words as a weather vane for her plan. Hearing Nathan's suggestion, she looped her arm in his with a smile, saying, "I'll walk you to your room."

Nathan chuckled, not resisting.

They ascended to the second floor together.

Nathan didn't rush to his room. Instead, he paused at the doorway, glancing at another room. It was Janice's room, formerly their matrimonial bedroom.

When Janice lost her mind, he had to reluctantly move out and take up residence in the guest room to avoid triggering her.

That brief relocation turned into a couple of decades, the guest room essentially becoming the master bedroom.

"Do you think Janice resents us for being together now that she's lucid?" Madeleine quietly asked.

Nathan retracted his gaze, his tone indifferent. "When we lost our beloved daughter, she gradually succumbed to madness. Now that Lucy's back, she's returned to her senses. Naturally, she wants to stay by her daughter's side, to mend their mother-daughter bond. Whether she harbors resentment or not, what does it matter?"

He had crossed that bridge.

Whether she resented him or not, it was water under the bridge. There was no turning back. If he died one day and she still shed tears for him, that would be enough for him.

Sitting in his position, there were so many things to consider, so many sacrifices to make.

Sometimes, neglect was a form of protection.