Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 268

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Technically, Julie had done a smart thing. So, when Julie and Kieran presented the cup to Payne

Hernandez, even Payne couldn’t help but praise Julie, “I apologize, dear sister-in-law I swear, we

common folks could never match your cleverness.”

Julie gave him a crooked smile, “Better not apologize, it would make it awkward for me to tease you in

the future,”

Payne was speechless.

For Payne, fingerprint comparison was a simple task, so Kieran and Julie sat nearby waiting for the

results.

Payne’s study was grand and technologically advanced, filled with high-tech equipment and a large

collection of gaming devices. The only outliers in the room were… the claw machine and whack-a-mole

game near the corner.

Julie’s gaze had landed on those two machines, seemingly very interested.

Kieran moved closer, whispering in her ear, “He had the happiest childhood.”

Payne’s parents were loving, and he was the only child. After his birth, his mother was diagnosed with

ovarian cysts, and both of her fallopian tubes were removed. Yet, Payne’s father didn’t love his wife any

less for it.

His family was harmonious, and according to Payne himself, his mother was the most cherished

person in his family, while he was the least favored. His home was unlike those of the aristocrats, free

of conflicts and disputes.

Julie pointed at the claw machine, asking Kieran, “Is Payne still interested in this?”

“Huh!” Payne looked at Julie, “Do I look like the kind of guy who would play with a claw machine?”

Julie couldn’t help but chuckle at Payne’s self-description. She asked, “Then how did this machine end

up here?”

“My mom always wanted a little princess. When she was pregnant with me, she thought I was a girl

because I was so quiet in her womb. She spotted a claw machine on the street and tried to win a

Hellokitty for me, but she failed. My father couldn’t bear to see her disappointed, so he bought the

machine for her to play at home. I grew up watching my parents’ sweet moments, believe it or not.”

Julie believed him, given his pitiful expression.

Kieran moved closer to Julie again, whispering, “After his birth, his mother wished she could shove him

right back in her womb. During his middle school years, his mother asked him why he was so quiet in

her womb despite being a boy. Do you know what he said?”

“What did he say?” Julie was curious about others’ stories.

Payne turned his head and proudly said, “Guess.”

Kieran didn’t let Julie guess, but directly said, “He said it was because he didn’t know his mother had

bought a box of Hello Kitty for him.”

Kieran glanced at the box of Hello Kitty in the machine, and Julie burst into laughter. No wonder Payne

always claimed to be a man’s man – he must have been traumatized in his childhood.

The boisterous laughter had already provoked Payne’s displeasure. He turned his head and glared at

Julie. Julie surrendered and gave Payne a smile before walking towards the claw machine with Kieran.

“Do you have a coin?” she asked.

Kieran pointed to a tray next to them, filled with coins. Julie excitedly put a coin into the machine and

grabbed the joystick, but she failed as expected.

“Do you know how to play?” she asked him.

His reply was straightforward, “No.”

“I used to think that men who could win at this game were as cool as those who could shoot. No,

they’re even cooler because they’re more thoughtful.” She put another coin into the machine.

“Do you want one?” Kieran moved behind her and asked softly in her ear.

Julie blushed a little and nodded.

“Where’s the key?” Kieran turned to ask Payne.

Julie was speechless.

‘Mr. Hernandez, can’t you be a bit more romantic?” Julie gave him a wry smit

Kieran pointed at the toys in the machine and innocently asked, “Isn’t it romantic to unlock the machine

and let you pick any-toy you want?”

Julie gave him a pitiful look and said, “No, Mr. Hernandez, that’s just showing off your wealth.”

“I see, you’re calling my dad rich.” Payne’s voice came from the side.

Kieran turned and glared at Payne, who promptly fell silent.

Julie put another coin in the machine and grabbed the joystick. As soon as her hand touched the

joystick, a warm hand suddenly covered hers. She turned to look at Kieran in surprise, only to find him

bending down to kiss her forehead. She stared at him, innocent and adorable like a little deer.

“Is this romantic enough for you?” His voice was low and deep, like a cello’s resonance.

She turned back to the claw machine, her face feeling hot

The claw was ready, but Julie hadn’t pressed the release button, so it automatically descended and

came up empty…

:

“Forget it, I’m not playing anymore.” Julie gently pushed Kieran’s arm, indicating that she was ready to

give up, but he said to her, “If you set your mind on something, you should never give up easily.”

With that, he put another coin into the machine.

He held her hand, guiding her movements. But after several attempts, they still hadn’t won.

Julie tumed to Payne, trying to suppress her laughter, “Payne, just hand over the keys! Your cousin has

gone mad.”

She earnestly told Kieran, “Honey, it’s not really a necessity, you know?”

“Which one you want?” The man asked confidently, his gaze steady on her.

Julie looked at the box, filled with identical toys. And Mr. Hernandez was asking her to choose one? It

seemed that Mr. Hernandez might be a little too enthusiastic about the claw machine.

Julie randomly pointed at one and said, “This one!”

The man suddenly leaned in, his face close to her lips, saying, “A kiss for luck.”

Unembarrassed, Julie laughed and said to Kieran, “You’re luckier. It’d be more effective if you kissed

your own lips.”

“Give me a kiss.” He leaned in closer.

But she playfully patted his face away. Mr. Hernandez pursed his lips then reached for the joystick.

Once again, he came up empty-handed.

Julie gently grabbed Mr. Hernandez’s arm and turned her innocent gaze towards him, “Mr. Hernandez,

let’s call it a day. Sometimes, you can’t always get what you

want.”

“One last time, a lucky kiss.” He pointed at his face, “One last try.”

Julie, unable to help but laugh, turned to Payne, seemingly asking him with her eyes if the fingerprint

comparison was done. Being the dedicated single friend that Payne was, he had to pretend he didn’t

see anything.

She turned back and gave the man a quick peck on the theek.

Mr. Hernandez seemed satisfied, holding her hand and pulling her close to his chest. He maneuvered

the joystick with her hand. Julie, having lost all hope in the claw machine, was amused by Mr.

Hernandez’s childlike enthusiasm. She let him guide her hand and turned to watch him, his expression

full of determination.

Just as Julie was about to turn away, he bent down and pulled out the toy he had successfully grabbed.

Julie, surprised and delighted, took the Hello Kitty plush from his hand. Her eyes sparkled like stars,

completely taken aback by his success.

“Whatever you want, I can give. It’s all yours.” He said, holding her close by the waist.

Julie held the toy tightly, looking up at him with affectionate eyes.

From a young age, she always sought his company as it made her feel safe. As she grew older, she

liked him because he was a great man, perfectly fitting her dream of an ideal partner. She had always

wanted to be by his side, never once imagining their hearts would align so perfectly.

As Kieran and Julie were lost in their affectionate gazes, Payne frowned from afar and suddenly

exclaimed, “Damn it, Zenith! The cunning man didn’t leave a single fingerprint!”

“Impossible! Julie let go of Kieran’s hand, rushed over to Payne, pointing at a coffee cup, “He was

holding it right here, there has to be a fingerprint.”

“Was he wearing gloves?” Payne asked.

Julie shook her head.

Payne turned to Kieran, “Kerry, do you know what it means when someone leaves no trace, not even a

fingerprint?”

“It means Zenith is cautious.” Kieran replied with a meaningful look in his eyes, “In Quad Dylan’s words,

a person who is always cautious either has paranoia or a secret he can’t reveal.”

“Well, sister-in-law, what do you think? Is Zenith a paranoid man or a man with a secret? I personally

lean towards the latter.” Payne propped his hands on the table, asking.

Julie’s gaze fell on the coffee cup, her expression complicated, when she received a call from Julien.

Julien got straight to the point and said, “We’ve checked Zenith’s background, are you free right now?”