Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 217

Though Hayden’s rejection was firm, it was also the most hurtful kind.

Dylan was worried that Annalise might crumble, so he waved his hand in front of her and asked

worriedly, “You okay? I’m not good at comforting people, but if you. ask me, only a guy like Julien could

handle someone like Hayden. You’re no match for him! The best kind of love is equal. Your one-sided

love and devotion won’t

end well.”

“The best kind of love is equal?” Annalise snapped back to reality, giving Dylan a look of disdain. “In my

opinion, the best kind of love is when the two people support each other.”

“It seems you haven’t learned your lesson.”

“I’m really hurt.” Annalise sighed. “I think a man like him shouldn’t be with a dominant woman like

Julien. Two dominant people being together might not end well.”

For some reason, Dylan suddenly felt like Annalise made a good point, but….

“Even if Hayden and Julien don’t end well, it’s still better than you and Hayden having no chance at all,

right?”

Annalise glared at Dylan. “Are you trying to comfort me or rub salt in my wounds?”

With that, she walked off towards the garden, clearly annoyed.

Dylan was taken aback. He had stayed to comfort Annalise!

He shook his head in frustration. He had to admit that he really sucked at comforting people.

Annalise first ran into Julien.

Julien was busy helping Ivan grill. Payne was eagerly assisting her, praising her, “Julien, you’re not only

a martial arts master, but you can also grill! A woman like you is so rare!”

Ivan nodded, “Exactly!”

“You both are hopeless!” Annalise grabbed the skewer from Payne’s hand.

Ivan turned to Annalise and said, “Ms. Annalise, she’s the woman of my dreams!”

“Kids shouldn’t have dream women!” Annalise told Ivan. “Your dream woman is your godfather’s

woman, you know?”

“Who told you that?” Ivan pouted, showing his disbelief.

Annalise smiled, “Your godfather told me. I went to put my arm around him, and he said he’d hit me. I

asked why he didn’t hit Julien when she was sitting so close to him. He said, ’cause Julien is his

woman, and I’m not! Do you believe me now?”

Her words were meant for Julien, who was listening in.

Julien paused her grilling, then looked up at Annalise. “Are you joking?”

“What do you mean?” Annalise was a bit annoyed. She put down what she held and stared at Julien.

Julien smirked and said, “Nothing.”

“Explain yourself!” Annalise tugged Julien’s sleeve, accidentally causing the skewer in her hand to drop

to the ground.

She didn’t mean to. Annalise looked apologetic, but she was too embarrassed to apologize.

Julien didn’t mind the mishap. She thought Annalise was just being childish and impulsive. Annalise

quickly let go of Julien’s sleeve.

Julien rolled up her sleeve and presented her arm to Annalise.

It was covered in bruises, which looked pretty intimidating.

Annalise frowned. These bruises were clearly from someone’s grip, the finger marks were obvious.

Julien smiled at Annalise. “Next time Mr. Simson hits me, I’ll take a pic and show you!”

Annalise was speechless.

“But he just said, ‘because she’s my woman, and you’re not…”

“So you don’t believe that he did this to me?” Julien glanced in Hayden’s direction.,

Annalise followed Julien’s gaze to Hayden. He was chatting with Adeline, obviously very familiar with

each other. They looked perfect together.

Adeline’s beauty was well-known. Next to her, Hayden’s usual aloofness and elegance seemed to

soften a bit.

Julien’s voice reached Annalise’s ears, “Are you blind? How could you fall for such a playboy?”

“Are you blind? How could you agree to be his woman?” Annalise retorted defiantly. In her heart,

Hayden was untouchable.

Julien thought for a moment, then seriously said to Annalise, “Yes.”

Annalise couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Annalise no longer in need of comfort, Dylan turned to Kieran, “Kerry, when did you learn to

grill?”

“His skill is great.” Julie handed Dylan a chicken wing skewer with a smile.

Dylan took a bite, then remembered something. He looked at Kieran, “Oh right, how was that bottle of

wine I gave your last time?”

“I haven’t tasted it yet.” Kieran replied.

Dylan stared at Kieran in surprise, “Didn’t Tina say yesterday that you had her deliver the wine to your

house?”

After a pause, Dylan nodded, “Oh, right. I heard that Julie was quite bold when she was pursuing you.

You guys probably don’t need wine to spice things up!”

“Man, you’re lucky you’ve been abroad all this time, otherwise you’d be toast by now. Mr. Hernandez

squinted at Dylan. If looks could kill, Dylan would be chopped into pieces already.

Dylan looked up at Mr. Hernandez, reading the truth from his expression, “Did Julie turn you down last

night? Haha…you…wait! What did you just stuff into my mouth?”

Before Dylan could finish his sentence, Mr. Hernandez shoved a piece of raw beef into his mouth.

“Do you have a problem with me? Do you have any idea how many germs and bacteria can be in raw

meat? Are you trying to kill me?”

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll stuff this whole plate of raw steak into your mouth.” Kieran waved the plate in

his hand.

Dylan quickly covered his mouth, then muttered, “You’ve got a star chef at home and yet you insist on

us grilling our own meat. And you’re making me eat raw meat…”

Julie chuckled and handed him a bottle of water, “I bet if you say one more word, you’ll have to finish

the whole plate.”

“Are you two ganging up on me?” Dylan rinsed his mouth, then turned to Kieran, “If you have the guts,

let’s have a one-on-one duel!”

“How do you want to duel?” Kieran raised an eyebrow at Dylan..

Mr. Watson, who had been listening by the side, suddenly ran over, “What’s the fun in a one-on-one

duel? Let’s all compete! I want to be on Kerry’s team! Harding, go help QuadDylan.”

Hearing this, Harding came over and kicked Marlon away, “Kerry, wouldn’t you rather have me on your

team?”

Elliot suggested, “I’ll pick a place. After Ivan’s birthday party, you guys can have a drinking contest

there, how about that?”

“I like this plan!” Marlon patted Elliot on the shoulder, “Then it’s settled.”

“Kerry, don’t you dare chicken out!” Dylan glared at Kieran.

It was rare for all of them to gather together, and Elliot’s proposal was good. At least Payne was very

supportive of it. To be precise, as long as Julien was involved in the activity, he would never refuse.

Elliot set the location at Adeline’s bar.

Julie found out that Adeline also ran a bar called Tempting Chroma Club.

The name was very Adeline. Julien had changed out of her flashy red jumpsuit and put on Julie’s white

coat and black jeans, looking more like herself.

Payne stayed by Julien’s side all afternoon, even though Julien had only said one word to him, “Buzz

off!”

Julie, watching the people ahead, whispered to Kieran, “Why did you have Tina deliver that bottle of

red wine to our house last night?”

“First, tell me what surprise you had planned for me last night? Once in the room, Kieran wrapped his

arms around Julie and sat down. He whispered in her ear, close to her neck.

The room was dimly lit. Julie knew Kieran probably couldn’t see her face clearly, which gave her more

confidence to lie, “I forgot.”

She thought Kieran would persist, but he said, “Then let’s save last night’s surprise for tonight. When

we get home later, I’ll punish you properly, how’s that?”

“Kerry, are you challenging me to a drinking duel or trying to break me mentally?” Dylan asked, looking

at Kieran unhappily.

Kieran held Julie a little tighter and raised an eyebrow.

Marlon laughed and patted Dylan on the shoulder, “Kerry’s trying to break your mental defenses before

the duel. What a cunning move!”

“Tonight, I’m determined to get Kerry drunk, or else I’ll let down that bottle of red wine I gave him!”

Dylan turned to Hayden, “Whose team are you on tonight?”

“I’m neutral.”

Dylan was on the verge of tears.

“What’re you guys planning to drink tonight?” Adeline slapped the table and stood up.

Hayden came up with a friendly suggestion, “Don’t play Rock-Paper-Scissors, else Kerry will get you all

drunk.”

Dylan thought this was a good idea, so he suggested, “How about we play ‘I love you’ VS

‘Shameless’?”

Annalise asked innocently, “How do you play this game?”