Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 214

"Mrs. Hernandez? Daphne's not home?" Lionel, dressed in a beige coat and peering down at Julie, politely removed his sunglasses to ask.

Julie called out to Daphne on the sofa, "Daphne, someone's here for you."

With that, she hurried over to Daphne, lightly nudging her and encouraging her with her eyes, "Don't chicken out!"

"What?" Daphne turned around to find Lionel heading towards her.

She immediately stood up, "Lord Lion? What brings you here?"

"Your mom just called me, said you're not answering your phone or replying to texts. She's worried something happened to you. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd swing by to check if you're still breathing."

Man, does he have a sharp tongue!

Daphne smiled, "Thanks for your concern, I'm fine. Can I walk you out?"

Julie thought to herself: Didn't you say you wouldn't back down?

"Daphne, he just got here and you're sending him away? Go get your stuff. Kieran will be here soon." Julie directed Daphne with her eyes.

Lionel took the initiative to ask, "Are you heading out?"

"It's my son's birthday today, so we're going to his party. By the way, Mr. Lionel, are you free? How about coming with us?" Julie invited him.

Daphne quickly interjected, "Lord Lion is busy shooting all day! He probably doesn't have time..."

"Actually, I'm off today. I'd be honored to attend Ivan's birthday." And just like that, Lionel accepted the invitation.

As soon as Kieran pulled up, he saw Julie, Daphne, and sunglasses-clad Lionel standing at the door.

"Daphne, why don't you take Mr. Lionel's car?" Julie suggested, opening Kieran's passenger door and turning to Lionel, "Please take good care of Daphne, okay?"

"Mrs. Hernandez, rest assured, I'll 'take good care' of her."

"Julie! Mr. Lionel is our guest! We can't make him do things..." Before Daphne could finish, Julie had already had Kieran drive off.

"Did Daphne and Lionel sleep together?" Kieran asked Julie while driving.

Julie nodded, then looked worriedly at Kieran, "I think Daphne and Mr. Lionel need to have a serious talk, but... was it wrong of me to just throw her at him like that? Should we turn back?"

Kieran slowed down, asking, "Why do you think it was wrong? Shouldn't they have a serious talk?"

"No... I just feel, Mr. Lionel's romantic history is a bit complicated..."

"You mean he's not faithful."

Kieran really got her. Julie nodded, "Do you think someone like Mr. Lionel would sincerely care for Daphne?"

"You hope Lionel truly cares for Daphne, or else you wouldn't let her be alone with him, right? If they really need to talk, then you did the right thing. As for whether Lionel truly cares for Daphne, that's another discussion. But he'll definitely bring Daphne safely home, that you can trust." Kieran analyzed seriously.

Julie thought about it and found Kieran's words reasonable.

If this opportunity could give Daphne the courage to tell Lionel about her pregnancy, that would be great. If she didn't have the courage, that was okay too, because at least Lionel would safely get her to their destination.

With this thought, Julie felt much calmer.

Daphne, who had promised not to back down, didn't dare to say a word in Lionel's car.

Until Lionel took the initiative to ask her, "Did you have a fight with your parents?"

Daphne shook her head, "No!"

"Then why did you suddenly disappear?"

"I felt like it."

"Answer my question!"

Daphne went silent.

She gathered her courage to look at Lionel, "It's my business. Lord Lion, you work hard every day! You don't need to worry about my personal affairs."

"I'm not so busy that I can't find time to care about you." He said.

Daphne felt as if she had lost her freedom. She didn't know what got into her, but she blurted out, "Why do you care about me? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

After saying that, she immediately covered her mouth and slapped herself.

Lionel suddenly looked at her seriously, asking, "Daphne, what am I to you?"

"You're a movie star! A celebrity!"

"I mean, what am I to you?" He clarified.

Lionel didn't get angry, instead, he laughed even harder, "You'll have to make do. I might not be your type, but my genes are top-notch. Our son would be a stunner and our daughter, a beauty."

Hearing him mention children, Daphne was instantly fuming. She instinctively placed her hand on her belly, asking, "Do you have any hereditary diseases?"

"What?" Lionel looked at Daphne, completely baffled.

Daphne quickly removed her hand from her stomach, "Like heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia..."

Lionel stared at Daphne, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden? Are you cursing my whole family to die young?"

Daphne knew he misunderstood, so she quickly waved her hands, "No, no! I'm just... concerned about you!"

"I don't have any hereditary diseases or bad habits. Apart from my bedroom skills which you dislike, I reckon I meet your standards in all other aspects." Lionel said.

Daphne thought it necessary to reject him outright, so...

"Though what I'm about to say might sound arrogant, Lord Lion, I really don't want to be someone else's substitute..."

"Who? Albertine?" Lionel chuckled lightly, patting Daphne's head, "She's one of a kind. You can't replace her."

She'd rather he called her a substitute!

"Because with me, you're unique. I can clearly distinguish between you and her."

Daphne's gloomy mood was instantly lifted by his words.

Daphne understood, "Lord Lion, is this sweet talk how you lure all those models?"

Lionel glared at Daphne. She had successfully ruined the flirty atmosphere they just established.

Daphne promptly changed the topic, smiling at Lionel, "Lord Lion, may I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead!"

"Among your many girlfriends... none has had an 'accident', right?" she asked gingerly.

"What accident?"

"You know... unexpected pregnancies..." she trailed off.

Lionel immediately hit the brakes. He pulled over, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, and turned to Daphne in shock, "Are you pregnant?"