Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 74

Ivan was such an intelligent kid. Julie figured parent–teacher meetings would be a breeze. She was

expecting praises about his extraordinary Intelligence or, at worst, a heads–up about him being a bit

naughty at school. But she never saw this coming

“Are you Ivan’s mom?” the teacher asked, looking rather helpless. I mean, he doesn’t seem dumb or

anything Grades aren’t everything. Sure, he’s never scored more than 10 out of 100, but that’s not the

issue here. The problem is his attitude. He’s always on his phone or sleeping during class. It’s not

good.”

As she spoke, she handed Julie a test paper. Look at this. He can’t even get the simplest questions

right. Even 1 plus 1 equals 20

Julie awkwardly took the paper, noticing the meager score of 2. Those points must have come from

guessing correctly on multiple–choice questions.

She couldn’t believe her little boy, who seemed so bright and teachable, had scored poorly.

The paper clearly read “Ivan Hernandez.” In all of Whispering Pines, there were only a handful of

Hernandezes. The only one she knew was Kieran.

Just last night, Ivan had sworn his name was Ivan Kennedy. Why the sudden change to Ivan

Hernandez? Could it be?

“Has his father ever visited the school?” Julie asked, eager for answers.

Upon hearing this, the teacher’s gaze hardened. “We understand that parents can be busy, but a

child’s growth is crucial. His father has never visited, and this is your first time here. That’s why we

need to discuss Ivan’s situation at school.”

“Andie! Mr. Farrell is here!” a colleague suddenly called out.

Upon hearing Mr Farrell’s name, Andie quickly got up, looking a bit nervous. I’m sorry, I have to step

out for a moment. Could you wait in Ivan’s classroom?”

Seeing Andie’s reaction, Julie knew Mr. Farrell must be a big deal. She nodded her agreement and

headed off to find Ivan.

She hadn’t gotten far from the office when she spotted Ivan waiting for her.

“Mama Julie, the teacher must have said bad things about me, but don’t believe her. I’m a good boy,

Ivan said before she could even speak.

Julie simply handed him the test paper and asked, “Ivan, is your last name, Hernandez or Kennedy?”

Oh no. Upon seeing the paper, Ivan knew the teacher must have let the cat out of the bag. He should

have just let Karl handle the meeting. Remembering what Kerry had told him, Ivan answered without

hesitation, Tm Ivan Kennedy!”

“But this paper says Ivan Hernandez”

“That’s not my paper!” Ivan protested. Seeing Julie’s skeptical look, he added, “It must be another

student in my class. His name is Ivan Hernandez, and he’s so dumb. He doesn’t even know that 1 plus

1 equals 2.”

“So, what does 1 plus 1 equal?” Julie asked, arms crossed.

“Two, of course!” Ivan replied, holding up two fingers. To prove his point, he pointed to other questions

and gave the correct answers. This one is three, this one is six, this one is eight. I got a perfect score

on this test!”

Ivan looked very proud of himself. After hearing his correct answers, Julie started to believe him. She

tousled his hair, saying, “Ivan, you’re so clever. Let’s go to your classroom now, okay?”

Go to his classroom? Everyone knew about his embarrassing score. If they went, his secret would be

exposed. Kerry had said that if his secret was exposed, she would never talk to him again. He had just

found his mom.

With this in mind, Ivan quickly grabbed Julie’s wheelchair, saying, “Mama Julie, wait here. I need to use

the bathroom!”

“Okay, Julie agreed cheerfully.

Ivan rushed towards the bathroom, dialing his father’s number on his phone. But the thought of asking

for help from his own dad was too embarrassing. so he changed the number to Karls.

“Ivan Karl’s voice came through the phone

I’ve sneaked mom into school for the parent–teacher meeting without telling Kerry. But the teacher has

met mom and wants to visit my classroom. Karl, I love you Please get mom to leave. If Kerry finds out,

he’ll spank me. It’s so embarrassing!!”

This was just like Ivan, bold and audacious. Unsurprisingly, he could pull off something like sneaking

Julie into school for a parent–teacher meeting.

Kieran snatched the phone from Karl and said, “When you get home tonight, you’re writing Dad, I love

you‘ 300 times as punishment.”

“Kerry?” Ivan squinted at his phone, and the caller ID clearly read Karl, so why was Kerry’s voice

coming from the other end? In Ivan’s world, there was only one explanation: Karl had stabbed him in

the back!

Write 1 love you, Dad three hundred times?

With a long face, Ivan whined into the phone, “Kerry, just spank me instead! Three hundred times is too

much, and I’m not even six yet!” But his charm didn’t work. Kerry had already hung up.

When Ivan finally emerged from the bathroom, Julie was nowhere to be found!! Had Kerry managed to

steal his mom while he was in the bathroom? A grin instantly spread across Ivan’s face.

“Sillyvan, why are you grinning like a Cheshire cat? Did your dad come to school?” Amora Farrell,

dressed in a pink princess dress and face smeared with black ink, even her pink dress was stained

The usually timid girl was now baring her cute little fangs at him, “T’ll let you in on a secret: my dad’s

here for a parent–teacher meeting!”

MoMo’s dad, Babur Farrell, was a famous director Ivan knew. Once, Ivan had fallen asleep during a

test and didn’t answer a single question, earning him a big fat zero. Ivan didn’t think much of it until

MoMo, who scored a measly five, smugly gave him the nickname Sillyvan.

Ivan gave MoMo a cold look, “You’re late. My beautiful mom just left!”

“No worries, I’ll take you to meet my dad!” MoMo grabbed Ivan’s hand and dragged him towards the

teacher’s office.

Ivan shook off her hand, “Your dad is not as cool as me, I’m not going!”

“Please come with me!” MoMo pleaded with Ivan.

“Why should I?” Ivan asked, not amused.

“Because I told my dad I’m second to last in class, and he doesn’t believe me.”

Excitedly, MoMo continued, “Once he meets you, he’ll believe me, haha.”

That’s it, he’s done playing with MoMo.

As soon as Julie left the school gates, she hailed a cab and gave the driver the destination, “Simpo Co.

building, please

She had no idea what was going on. Why would Karl suddenly call her to report to the company

immediately? Just yesterday, Kieran had promised her two days off. So, with no time to waste, Julie

had to leave Shawna in charge and rushed to Simpo Co

When she hobbled into the Simpo Co. building, everyone stared at her strangely, leaving Julie a little

confused. She limped towards the elevator, only to have the doors close right in front of her.

Just as she was getting annoyed, the elevator door opened again. Relieved, Julie limped in.

She turned to the person who had held the door and said, “Thank you”

To her surprise, the man holding the door was Dylan Pierson.

He looked down at her with a smile, then teased, “I didn’t realize Simpo Co. was so demanding that

even the disabled have to work. Your strong spirit is commendable”

Julie awkwardly forced a smile, feeling uncomfortable around Dylan.

Dylan pressed the button for the CEO’s floor. Julie tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

When they finally reached the CEO’s floor, Julie was about to escape when someone’s leg suddenly

appeared in front of her. She stumbled out of the elevator only to be caught by Dylan, who quickly

wrapped his arm around her waist and escorted her out.

He held her waist with one hand, bending down slightly, his amber eyes staring into hers with a hint of

deeper meaning.

Stunned, Julie looked up and met Dylan’s gaze. A familiar cold voice came from the side, “Is Mr. Dylan

here in my office for a date?”