Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 93

Elliot invited Kieran for dinner, but he didn’t see this coming. Kieran brought Julie along.

Their lovey dovey behavior immediately stole the limelight, leaving Elliot feeling overlooked on the side.

Kieran was playing with Julie’s hair. Julie was about to push him away but stopped when she spotted Elliot behind them.

“Didn’t expect you to be this early, Mr. Sanches,” Kieran said, looking at Elliot.

Elliot regained his usual suave demeanor, smiling at Kieran “I thought I only invited you”

“Maybe you forgot to mention not to bring a female companion,” Kieran retorted, taking Julie by the hand, and heading for the Starlight Haven Hotel

Elliot followed closely behind.

In the private room, Julie sat next to Kieran. She hadn’t said a word since they walked in the door. Elliot’s gaze never left her face. Julie pretended not to

notice

Despite sharing the same table, the three of them maintained an awkward silence. Finally, Kieran asked Elliot, “What’s the reason for inviting me here today, Mr. Sanches?”

Elliot was into Julie. That was no secret ever since he returned home. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have proposed to Julie in front of Kieran,

Even though the proposal was unsuccessful, Elliot was sincere.

Elliot asked, frankly, “I heard that you are in a legal battle with Creative Nexus Media due to Ms. Bertha’s previous engagement. I know a couple of lawyers with deep experience in this field. Their expertise should be more abundant than Julie’s. So I wanted to ask if I could lend a hand.”

What a clever roundabout way!

Kieran glanced at Julie next to him. I already have a lawyer, so no need to bother

Julie thought the dinner would continue in this uncomfortable atmosphere, but she didn’t expect Kierans next words to be, I thought you invited me for dinner because of my ex-wife, so I brought her along. Turns out you were worried about my lawsuit. I misjudged you”

Julie gave Kieran a sideways glance, feeling like the whole world owed him an Oscar With such acting skills, it was a shame not to be a movie star.

Since Kieran had stated his thoughts, there was no reason for Elliot to continue talking about irrelevant matters.

Elliot told Kieran, “You’re not wrong. The reason I’m concerned about your lawsuit is indeed because of Julie.”

Julie turned her attention to Kieran

Elliot had made his intentions clear. This was obviously him trying to win Julie over from Kieran. Normally, Kieran wouldn’t just sit there and say nothing. unless he didn’t care about her.

However, Kieran put down his cutlery and looked at Elliot. Their eyes met, filled with complex meanings.

Judging from Kieran’s expression, he seemed to have something to say. But to the surprise of both Julie and Elliot, Kieran simply put down his cutlery and asked, ‘Is the bathroom on the left or the right?”

Elliot pointed to the right

Kieran calmly stood up and walked out, leaving Elliot and Julie alone

Kieran was really something. From Elliot’s current gaze, it was clear he came prepared to express his unwavering love for Julie. But the words he prepared never got a chance to be spoken, cut off by Kieran.

After Kieran left, only Julie and Elliot remained.

“I thought you were lying to me “Elliot looked at Julie with a hint of sadness.

Julie knew he was referring to her phone call a few days ago. She had expressed her love for Kieran, leading Elliot to believe she truly loved him and was willing to care for Kieran and Bertha’s child

Elliot looked solemnly at Julie, questioning her, “You’re staying by his side not because you love him, but because you want to get back at him, right?” “You’re overthinking it. I was the one who clung to him from the start, the one who fell for him unrequitedly, and the one who can’t forget him now. These were all my choices I didn’t need to explain myself to you, but I know you’re a good person. Elliot, someone as nice as you deserves a beautiful love and a happy family”

Julie spoke somewhat emotionally

But Elliot reminded her, “But you’re dealing with Kieran and Bertha’s child! Are you sure you won’t have any reservations?”

“Children are innocent, aren’t they? Besides, Bertha is dead. I don’t care about anything, even if it means hurting you. Do you understand?” Julie looked coldly at Elliot sitting opposite her, finally meeting his gaze

Elliot just stared deeply at Julie, his expression filled with disappointment towards her.

Julie calmly looked at Elliot and said, “If there’s no love, there’s no hurt. So, as long as you don’t love me, I won’t hurt you. There’s no end to hurting. If I’ve hurt you once, I can easily do it again. I don’t care whether you love me or not, but I hope you won’t meddle anymore.”

This was the harshest thing Julie had ever said. If someone were to say such harsh words to Julie, she would definitely feel a strong sense of repulsion from the other person.

Elliot was no different. From Julie’s words, he could feel it loud and clear, his one-sided affection had turned into a burden in Julie’s eyes.

He stared at Julie in silence for a while before he finally spoke up, “Is this what you wanted to tell me?”

Julie nodded without hesitation. I’m not good with words. Maybe what I said didn’t come out as strong as I intended.

12:22

Elliot’s gaze never left Julie’s face, and silence filled the room for who knows how long. Eventually, he stood up and said, ‘I get it.”

With that, he turned around and walked away, ice cold.

When Elliot turned around, Julie was filled with guilt. However, she stayed put, back straight as a rod.

Rejecting someone who truly loved you took courage.

Outside, in the restroom.

Kieran was washing his hands when a deep voice sounded next to him, “Julien and Joyce knew each other from years back.”

Kieran glanced at Hayden standing next to him. He was already used to his sudden appearances.

He nodded in response. “And then?”

The day Bertha committed suicide by jumping off a building, Julien was there. I’ll let her tell you what happened that day, Hayden said.

Julien being there was unexpected news. Kieran nodded in acknowledgement.

Hayden wasn’t one to talk much, but he still asked, “What’s the deal between Elliot and Joyce?”

“Elliot…” Kieran paused, then answered, “He’s my rival.”

“Why did you leave Joyce alone in the room with your rival?” Hayden had clearly been there for a while and saw what happened.

Kieran clapped Hayden on the shoulder. “My rival is into Joyce, not me. Why should I interrupt them?”

“You’re pretty easy-going.” Hayden shook off Kieran’s hand from his shoulder. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Kieran smiled. “Even though Elliot has a thing for my wife, that’s their business. The one to reject him has to be her, not me. Joyce knows her boundaries. so I don’t need to meddle”

“You’re not married yet. Stop calling her your wife, Hayden reminded Kieran.

Kieran shrugged it off with a laugh. “You wouldn’t understand, you’ve never been married.”

Hayden rolled his eyes at Kieran.

Kieran heard footsteps outside the restroom, looked at Hayden, and said, “Here comes my rival.”

When he turned back, Hayden had already vanished.

Elliot was far from convinced. The moment he saw Kieran as he pushed open the door, his brows furrowed deeply.

“Kieran, is Ivan the child you and Bertha had back then?” Elliot didnt bother with pleasantries this time.

Kieran glanced at Elliot, only replying, “What’s it to you?”

“Julie is just temporarily confused. That doesn’t mean she’ll be fooled by you forever. If you can’t be completely devoted to her, you shouldn’t give her false hopes.” Elliot knew he was meddling, but he couldn’t help himself.

Kieran didn’t question Elliot’s right to say these things, he just said, “Oh, to him calmly.

Elliot was left speechless, with a mouthful of words stuck in his throat,

Kieran walked past Elliot, patting him on the shoulder with his freshly washed hands. “Do you know what the biggest difference between you and me is? Even if I hurt her, she’ll still love me like before. But she’d rather hurt you than love you. That’s the fundamental difference between us. But don’t worry, I understand better than you how to love my woman. I don’t need your guidance.”

With that, Kieran calmly headed back to the private room.