Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 212

Seeing Kieran’s gaze land on the table next to them, Julie asked him with a touch of surprise, “You

didn’t hide the diamond ring in the cake, did you?”

“If I did that, you’d probably swallow the diamond ring thinking it’s a piece of chocolate. Do you really

think I’d do something that dumb?” He wrapped an arm around her waist and looked down at her.

Julie was a little embarrassed. “Isn’t that what happens in the TV shows?” she replied.

“Do you think I’d just copy what they do on TV?”

Julie nodded seriously. “Good point! So what’s the surprise?”

“There aren’t any other customers in the restaurant. Not because I rented the whole place, but

because…” He paused, then said, “I bought this restaurant.”

After Kieran finished, the curtains in the entire restaurant instantly drew back. Karl, dressed as a waiter,

approached Julie with a large folder in his hands. “Mrs. Hernandez, these are all the necessary

paperwork. You just need to sign.”

“Didn’t you always dream of owning a restaurant filled with delicious food? Didn’t you want to learn how

to make all kinds of beautiful cakes?” Kieran pointed to a line of people in chef uniforms standing

behind Karl, smiling. “These are all the pastry chefs and cooks you just picked out, your favorites.”

So, that’s why he just gave her a taste test? Turns out, in his eyes, the focus of the video wasn’t the

song Greensleeves, but her original dream.

Julie gazed at Kieran, dumbstruck.

“Mrs. Hernandez, I’m not fooling you this time. You can sign without worry.” He handed her a pen,

grinning.

She held the pen but didn’t move, until Kieran took the contracts from Karl and spread them before her.

“My dear, I’m entrusting my stomach and my future to you.”

Finally snapping back to reality, Julie wiped her moist eyes and laughed. “Who wants your stomach?”

She signed. Before Kieran could even put away the documents, Julie had already thrown herself into

his arms.

“Thank you, Kieran.” She thanked him, not just for the restaurant.

What made her feel grateful wasn’t just becoming the owner of the restaurant from that moment on, but

also forgiving him after all the hardships, and forgiving

herself.

What can’t be forgotten are memories. Only what’s been forgiven can be the past.

Julie was grateful that Ivan was growing up safely; that the man she’d loved since she was a girl was

standing before her, and her friends were still accompanying her; that although Kieran’s cruel choice

had brought her some difficulties, at least she was still alive. Dr. Brice said, even though the chances

were slim, if they persevered, Sansa could wake up.

She had just lost a few years, endured a few years of hardship, but didn’t need to remember the painful

past for the rest of her life…

Kieran held her tight. He wanted to give her the best things in the world.

“Joyce, I love you…”

Before he could finish his heartfelt confession, Julie’s phone suddenly rang…

Mr. Hernandez’s expression instantly stiffened.

Julie emerged from Kieran’s arms, smiled apologetically and quickly pulled out her phone. She

originally planned to hang up, but when she saw the caller ID was Daphne, she hesitated.

“Go ahead and answer!” Kieran ruffled her hair. “I’ll wait for you here.”

Julie immediately shot him a thankful look. Before answering the call, she tiptoed up and planted a kiss

on Kieran’s lips, then walked away while taking the call.

“Karl, what are you standing here for? Want to try on a dress?” Kieran turned to Karl.

Karl quickly packed up the contracts and left with the chefs.

Julie picked up the phone, hearing Daphne’s somewhat low voice on the other end. “Julie, I’m

screwed…”

“What happened? Don’t panic, tell me slowly.” Julie tried to comfort her.

After a while, Daphne’s voice came through again. “Is Kieran with you?”

Julie looked back at Kieran, who was far away, and replied, “No, he’s not. What’s going on?”

“It’s doomed…” Daphne just repeated.

Worried, Julie quickly asked, “What exactly is happening? Where are you? I’ll come find you right now.”

“I’m at home. Don’t bring Kieran!”

Hearing Daphne was about to cry, Julie quickly replied, “Don’t panic, don’t overthink. I’ll come find you

right now!”

Julie hung up and hurried back to Kieran. “Daphne seems off, I need to check on her. Thanks for the

surprise! I really appreciate it. I love it.”

After saying that, she quickly hugged Kieran, grabbed her bag and said, “I need to go…”

Seeing Julie’s flustered state, Kieran grabbed her arm and picked up his coat. “Where to? I’ll take you.”

“No need, I’ll take a cab.” She kissed Kieran’s cheek again. “Bye, darling. See you tonight!”

Just as she took a step, Kieran pulled her back. “What’s wrong with Daphne?”

She shook her head and said seriously, “I truly appreciate the surprise you gave me. I can hardly

express how moved I am right now, but, darling… I really have to go…

Her calling him “darling” made Kieran overjoyed.

I don’t feel relieved with you going alone. I’ll have Karl take you,” Kieran said.”

Daphne only mentioned not to bring Kieran, not Karl. Julie knew Kieran was just worried about her,

especially since Lucian was in Whispering Pines too.

So she nodded.

Kieran held Julie’s hand as they entered the elevator, then had Karl wait with the car downstairs.

Julie and Kieran were shoulder to shoulder in the elevator. She felt like she should say something.

Watching Kieran hang up his call, she finally plucked up the courage to say, “Kieran, I actually…”

Her words were cut off by his sudden kiss. One hand cradling her head, the other around her waist, he

pinned her against the elevator wall. The passionate kiss was like a raging storm…

She barely had a moment to breathe. It wasn’t until the elevator was about to reach the first floor that

he gently let her go.

Kieran hid the desire in his eyes, but his voice was still a bit husky.

“Next time if you don’t know how to respond, just answer me like this. I’m cool with it.” His rough finger

gently brushed her red lips.

Julie held her breath, staring at him blankly, then… the elevator doors opened.

Karl had already brought the car around to the front of the building.

Only then did Julie snap back to reality, quickly running towards the elevator exit. Kieran sauntered out

of the elevator. After a few steps, Julie spun around and said to Kieran, “Tonight… I’ve got a surprise

for you too!”

With that, she bolted out of the building.

Mr. Hernandez’s mouth curved into a smug smile. He pulled out his phone and dialed Tina, “Get me

some colognes, ones that smell good, nothing too strong. Oh, and help me send over that bottle of red

wine Dylan Pierson gifted last time to the Noblewood Retreat.”

After hanging up, Kieran took a detour to the nearby mall. He instantly spotted a necklace at a jewelry

counter and had the salesperson wrap it up.

Tonight? A surprise?

Sounds promising.

Karl had just dropped Julie off at Daphne’s apartment when she shooed him away.

This was where Daphne usually lived. For the past few days, Daphne had been on vacation, so she

had been staying with her parents. Why was she suddenly back at this apartment?

Julie hurriedly knocked on the door, “Daphne, it’s Julie.”

The door swung open.

Julie almost fell on her butt in surprise at the sight of Daphne, wearing a huge apron, her short hair a

total bird’s nest, and clear evidence of panda eyes.

“Are you cooking?” Daphne never ventured into the kitchen. The sight of her in an apron left Julie

puzzled.

With a slumped head, Daphne pulled Julie into the room, “Do I look like I know how to cook?”

Julie shook her head without hesitation.

“So, what are you doing?” Julie asked.

I’m surfing the net.” Daphne pointed to the white laptop on the sofa…

Julie was even more puzzled, “Why would you want to put on such a… peculiar… apron while surfing

the net?”

“To protect against radiation, duh!” She replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Julie was speechless, “If you want to avoid radiation, you can just put some plants next to your

computer. What radiation can this giant apron protect you from? It’s barely covering your belly…”

“I wear it to cover my belly…”

“Why do you need to…” Halfway through her sentence, Julie stared wide-eyed at Daphne, “Why do you

need to cover your belly?”

“Hehe, I’m gonna be a mom, can you believe it?”

ulie finally understood why Daphne had said on the phone that it was doomed. After a while, she came

back to her senses and looked at Daphne, “Is it Lionel’s?”

“Who else could it be?” Daphne collapsed onto the bed, “God is punishing me, Júlie!!”

Julie also sat down next to Daphne, it took her a long time to close her mouth, which was wide open

from shock.

“Maybe this is indeed God’s will, how else could you get pregnant in one go?”

“Hehe, actually, it was three times!” Daphne managed a weak smile, holding up three fingers.