Chapter 69


    "He ain''t even drunk anymore, why''s he still knockin'' back lemonade?"


    Cecilia grumbled, but did as he asked anyway.


    He''d got a cold, probably ''cause he''d been drinking too much. Plus she did dunk a bucket of ice


    water over him.


    Just as Cecilia headed to the kitchen, Lucinda gave her a call.


    "Cecilia, you okay? Did Owen do something to you? How did his people find you?"


    Lucinda and Stefan had returned to the store, only to find Cecilia was gone. After asking her mom,


    they found out Cecilia had left with some of Owen''s people. She was worried about her friend, so


    she called her up. Luckily, Cecilia picked up, which meant she was okay. At least she was free to


    move and answer the phone.


    "I''m okay."


    Cecilia replied in a low voice. "It''s a long story. Basically, I pissed off Owen and now he''s getting


    back at me."


    "What''d he do? Should I call the cops? I can get Stefan toe over with me."


    Lucinda didn''t know where Owen lived, but Stefan definitely would.


    "Lucinda, no need. Owen didn''t do anything. I just dumped a bucket of ice water on him and he''s


    got a cold now. His retaliation is making me do household chores for a few days and taking care of


    him while he''s sick, and I can''t leave until he''s better."


    Cecilia let her friend know about Owen''s retaliatory behavior.


    "Lucinda, I can''t get back to the cafe these days. I''ll leave things there to you. Also, about my family.


    I''ll tell them I''m super busy and I''m staying at your ce for a while to make it easier for work. If my


    mom calls you to check. You gotta cover for me."


    Lucinda: "…How did you getting involved with Owen, and dump ice water on him?"


    "Let me exin when I get back. You don''t need toe help me. In fact, I should take


    responsibility for Owen''s cold. He''s not going to hurt me, just make me do some chores. He''s


    already being pretty decent."


    Lucinda asked, "You sure you don''t need me toe help?"


    "No need. If youe, it might just stir up more trouble between me and him."


    All Lucinda could say was, "Then you be careful. If Owen hurts you, you must call the police and let


    me know. I''ll help you get justice."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of myself." Cecilia reassured her friend.


    She was adamant about not letting Lucindae over. Although Lucinda agreed verbally, she


    asked Stefan after hanging up, "Do you know where Owen lives? I need to get Cecilia back."


    Stefan had heard their conversation. Heforted his wife, "Owen''s not a good guy, but he''s not


    that bad either. He won''t hurt Cecilia. He just wants her to take care of him. You don''t need to worry


    about her. It''s her responsibility that Owen''s sick, and she''s willing to take it. We don''t need to


    interfere. If we bring Cecilia back now, Owen will still find a way to get back at her. Better to let them


    settle this now, so Cecilia doesn''t have to live in fear every day."


    Stefan knew his archenemy Owen too well. If he wanted Cecilia to take care of him, then he


    wouldn''t do anything else to her. After all, the woman he truly loved was Ruby. No other woman


    could catch his eye.


    Persuaded by Stefan, Lucinda reluctantly gave up on the idea of going to get Cecilia.


    Seeing that she was still worried about Cecilia, Stefan said softly, "I''ll have someone check to make


    sure Cecilia''s safe, then let you know."


    Lucinda nodded.


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    After their private conversation, Lucinda acted as if nothing had happened and went back to Fiona.


    "Mom, are you nning to stay for a while?"


    Lucinda looked at the small suitcase her mother had brought.


    "Yes, don''t you want your mom to stay?"


    "No, I mean, why''d you suddenly decide toe live with me? Aren''t you going to take care of dad?


    And my grandparents are getting old, aren''t you going to take care of them?"


    Fiona poked her daughter''s forehead and said, "Are you hiding something from me, so you''re afraid


    I''ll find out if I stay? Can''t I take a few days off from taking care of the family all year round? Without


    me, they can''t live? Didn''t your dad and grandparents live just fine before your dad and I got


    married?"


    Lucinda thought, she only said two sentences, and her mom rebutted her with several.


    "Mom, I saw some oranges in the fridge, so I squeezed some juice for you. It''s hot, you can drink


    some iced orange juice."


    The one speaking was Stefan. He really did squeeze some orange juice for Lucinda''s mom.


    Fiona immediately smiled. She took the orange juice from Stefan and praised him, "Stefan is


    considerate and thoughtful, unlike Lucinda, who only knows how to talk back."


    Stefan smiled gently and said, "Lucy cares about you too. Every time I go shopping with her, she


    always thinks of you first when she sees something good. Lucy has bought a lot of nice things for


    you. Don’t forget to take them home when you go back."


    Lucinda was like, honey, I didn''t buy a lot of things.


    Although Stefan noticed his wife''s reaction, he still maintained a gentle attitude towards his mother-


    inw.


    Fiona scolded her daughter, "Your store just opened, it hasn''t started making money yet, and you''re


    already spending recklessly. I don''tck anything, or if you really want to say Ick something, Ick


    grandkids. When can you and your brother satisfy me?"


    Lucinda''s face turned red, "Mom."


    She called out softly. And when she looked up, she saw Stefan gazing at her deeply. His gaze was


    too affectionate, which made her face even redder.


    "Mom, don''t me Lucy, alright? It was her who picked out the stuff, and I just paid for it. I earn a


    good deal, and I can''t spend it all by myself. Honestly, I don''t even know what to do with all the


    money I''ve saved up. When Lucy finds something good, it gives me a chance to spend."


    Lucinda said softly, "You set a trap for me first, then you save me. You''re really a piece of work,


    aren''t you?"


    People as considerate as Stefan often became more likable the more you got to know them. Fiona


    was no exception.


    "Stefan, even though you''re raking in the big bucks, you shouldn''t just throw your money around. I


    really don''t need anything. You guys don''t need to buy anything for me. You should be saving up to


    buy a house, then get it all nice and pretty. When you guys get married, you can move in. Having


    your own ce is the best feeling."


    Lucinda thought to herself: Stefan might not have much of anything else, but he''s loaded. He''s


    already got a bunch of houses under his name.


    Stefan had more than just one house to his name.


    "Mom, I''ll take your advice. Every time I get my paycheck, I''ll allot a third for Lucy''s living expenses,


    a third for you, dad, and the grandparents, and I''ll save thest third to buy a house as soon as


    possible."