Chapter 419


    As the arch-nemesis of Stefan, and with his ex-wife''s best friend Lucinda in the middle of it all,


    Owen was privy to more inside information than the average Joe.


    Madeleine was Nathan''s girl, and back when Janice was off on her wild tangents, it was Madeleine


    who stepped in, acting the part of thedy of the house in all the public events, fulfilling the duties


    expected of a partner to a high-profile man like Nathan.


    Everyone in the town of Skywatch knew about Madeleine and Nathan''s situation. They all thought


    she was set for life, that Janice would be left in the dust.


    Owen was no stranger to these rumors.


    When Madeleine suddenly showed up at his door, Owen had a hunch about what she wanted. It


    was likely a partnership she was after.


    Owen sat behind his desk, waiting for her arrival.


    "Boss, Ms. Porter''s here," announced his secretary, escorting Madeleine in.


    With a nonchnt "hmm," Owen stood up, reached out his hand as Madeleine approached, his


    voice polite but his expression frosty.


    He wasn''t exactly known for being chatty with outsiders.


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    "Ms. Porter, a pleasure."


    Madeleine shook his hand while sizing him up.


    In her eyes, Owen was a catch – young, handsome, loaded, and fiercely loyal. His unwavering


    dedication to Ruby was well known, even to someone like her who didn''t pay much attention to the


    Martinez family.


    She couldn''t help but wonder what was wrong with Ruby, passing up on a gem like Owen and


    instead chasing after Stefan like a dog with a bone.


    But then again, she understood – when you''re as ambitious as Ruby, you aim for the perfect one.


    Like herself – if she were to marry, it would be to the cream of the crop in Skywatch, regardless of


    age.


    Owen''s first impression of Madeleine was that she fell short of Mrs. Bright''s standard.


    The secretary poured them each a ss of warm water and set one in front of Madeleine, saying


    politely, "Ms. Porter, please, have some water."


    Annoyed that Owen hadn''t even bothered to ask what she wanted, just assuming she''d want


    lukewarm water – something she would only drink at Nathan''s behest – she masked her irritation.


    Owen motioned for the secretary to leave.


    Once alone, he asked, "So, Ms. Porter, to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"


    He took a sip of his water, holding Madeleine''s gaze with sharp eyes.


    Madeleine, too, pretended to sip her water, her lips barely touching the liquid.


    "Let''s cut to the chase," she said with a smile. "I''m here to discuss a potential partnership with Mr.


    Martinez. The Ike group doesn''t have a presence in Skywatch, and as you know, the Porters don''t


    have stakes in Pinehurst. What kind of partnership could we possibly have?"


    She continued, undeterred by Owen''s skeptical look, "This isn''t about business, though a sessful


    partnership could extend there. Your enemy is Stefan, correct? There''s an old saying, ''The enemy


    of my enemy is my friend.'' With amon foe, why not join forces against Stefan?"


    Owen inwardly sneered; he knew she was here to use him as a pawn against Stefan.


    Madeleine, miles away in Skywatch, needed a local ally to take on Pinehurst''s top dog, and Owen


    was her chosen aplice.


    "Truthfully, Mr. Coleman hasn''t wronged me personally, but his wife, Lucinda. She''s a thorn in my


    side. I intend to strip her of her power and see how high and mighty she acts then."


    Madeleineid her cards on the table, revealing her true intentions.


    "I understand that you have a bone to pick with the Colemans too. If not for them, your sweetheart


    wouldn''t have been in trouble, and you''d have won her over by now. They''ve been a thorn in your


    business side, and they''ve stolen your love''s heart."


    "Any man with pride couldn''t swallow that indignity. You must despise them as much as I do. The


    Porter family may not wield power in Pinehurst, but our business is vast. Cooperate with the Porter


    Group, and you''ll triumph in both the boardroom and the bedroom."


    Owen feigned contemtion before asking, "Ms. Porter, what kind of partnership are you


    proposing?"


    "You''re considering a partnership with the Porter Group?"


    "I''ll need some time to think it over."


    Madeleine nodded, her smile not waning, "Of course, that''s only fair."


    "How long will you need, Mr. Martinez?"


    "Look, I need to know if the Porter n is keen on teaming up with me or if this is just Ms. Porter''s


    solo act. If it''s thetter, I''ll need to give it some serious thought."


    Madeleine choked back her frustration.


    "Alright, here''s my business card," she said, extending it towards Owen. "Once Mr. Martinez has


    made up your mind, feel free to give me a call."


    As she spoke, she took out her card and handed it to Owen.


    Owen nced at the card briefly and said, "Sure, I''ll get in touch with Ms. Porter once I''ve weighed


    my options."


    Madeleine rose to her feet. "I apologize for the intrusion, Mr. Martinez. I won''t take up any more of


    your time. I''ll await your decision."


    Owen stood up as well, but didn''t see her out, merely signaling his secretary to escort Madeleine


    away.


    Minutes after ensuring Madeleine had left, Owen skirted around his desk and headed out.


    His limousine fleet soon departed from the Ike Group''s headquarters.


    Initially, Owen had intended to have his driver take him to the Serendipity Cafe, but on second


    thought, he instructed, "Head to Ascend Global."


    The driver responded with a respectful "Yes, sir."


    Stefan couldn''t help feeling a bit resigned about Owen dropping by his office during working hours


    again.


    Nevertheless, he agreed to meet with him.


    "Stefan, I''vee bearing news," Owen announced as he sat down across from him, waving off


    Iris''s offer to pour him water. "I''ll take it only if your boss does the pouring."


    Iris nced at Stefan.


    "Go ahead with your tasks," he told her, and she left the office dutifully.


    Stefan sat unmoved, eyeing his nemesis across the desk. "Spit it out then. Tell me what''s so


    important that you''vee to ''inform'' me. Let''s see if it''s worth me pouring you a ss of water."


    "Come on, Stefan. Hospitality for a visitor, remember?"


    "I don''t recall you rolling out the red carpet when I visit you."


    Owen fell silent.


    He certainly wouldn''t treat Stefan like a guest. They were rivals, after all!