Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 258

The next morning.

Kieran suggested taking Julie out to a restaurant. But Amanda, lounging on the sofa, said, "Why bother going to a restaurant? It's not like it'll fall apart without the boss."

"There's a new dish at the restaurant, and I thought Julie might like to try it," Kieran sat next to Amanda, holding her arm.

Amanda was clearly not pleased. "Just for tasting a new dish? Couldn't Karl do that?"

"Seems like I've turned into a weirdo, wanting you guys around is too much to ask," Amanda said with a sigh. Kieran had no comeback to that.

"You haven't been out since you got back. Whispering Pines has changed a lot. How about trying the new dish at the restaurant with Julie and then letting her show you around?"

"I'm not going. I'm not as strong as I used to be, can't wear myself out. If you're worried about me bullying Julie, then take her with you!" Amanda turned her back on Kieran, giving Julie a threatening look.

If Julie didn't say anything now, it would be disrespectful to Amanda.

So Julie stepped forward, smiling at Amanda. "You misunderstood Kieran. He wants me to stay home with you."

Pulling Kieran out the door, Julie looked back at Amanda. "I'm going to see Kieran off."

Once they reached the door, Julie said seriously, "It seems Amanda really doesn't want me to leave. I guess I'll stay home. If anything comes up, let me know on WhatsApp. I think Amanda will confiscate my phone, but I'll find a way to contact you on the computer."

Kieran had no choice but to leave. He needed to figure out Amanda's true intentions.

Just as Julie was about to watch Kieran leave, a motorcycle suddenly parked between them, startling Julie.

Payne, the rider, took off his helmet, revealing his face.

"Kieran, Julie." Payne held his helmet, winking at Julie.

Kieran kicked at the motorcycle tire. "Watch where you park next time!"

"Why are you kicking my motorcycle?" Payne quickly got off and patted his tire, looking hurt.

"Your bike?" Kieran looked at the motorcycle, coughed, and murmured, "Isn't this the one you won during that drinking bet?"

Julie suddenly laughed, touching the handlebars of the motorcycle. "Poor motorcycle, having Payne as its owner. It's really hard on the motorcycle."

Payne adjusted his motorcycle "That's too much, Julie. Did you really have to insult my motorcycle?”

Kieran asked, “Were you out for a morning ride?”

Payne told Kieran, "I just wanted to tell you that there's nothing special about that ring. I've tried everything I could think of, but there's nothing special about it, apart from it being really expensive. Do you know why someone would risk their life for it?"

"Yeah, why would they?" Julie chimed in.

Payne also asked, “Didn't we catch the ring thief last time? Did we find out anything from questioning him?”

"Dylan didn't get any useful information, and I got interrupted when Amanda suddenly came back. I'll make time to go today. You can go and say hi to Amanda." Kieran said.

Although Payne wasn't Kieran's cousin, they were very close. So, he also knew Amanda well.

Hearing that Amanda was home, Payne turned and went inside.

Kieran told Julie, "Sansa has been transferred to Tranquil Care Hospital, and Fred is also there. This afternoon, I'll pick you up to see Sansa. A meeting with Adeline and Dr. Brice is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. I'll also arrange things with Amanda. I had Julien call Bolt, he'll go easy. Thanks for your hard work."

Julie smiled, tiptoed, and kissed his cheek. "Be safe on the road."

...

In the afternoon, Kieran came home from work and said he was taking Julie to see Sansa. Amanda didn't like Sansa because she had once framed Kieran. But in the end, she didn't say anything and silently let Kieran take Julie away.

On the way to the hospital, Julie received a call from Kyle.

Julie hesitated, looked at Kieran, and then answered the call.

Harding said, "I think, Fred seems more like a watchdog. He’s constantly watching Sansa, making sure she doesn’t wake up."

"Right now, our enemies are hidden, and we're exposed," Julie said, looking at Kieran. "Should we play the long game and draw them out into the open?"

Harding, hands in his pockets, gave Julie an appreciative look. "Many say you went from being a total loser to a lucky duck. Now, I think you totally deserve that luck."

Julie smiled, turning to Kieran, "Is he complimenting me?"

"He's saying you're brave, strategic, and willing to fight against evil forces," Kieran said, patting Julie's head fondly.

When they returned to the Hernandez family after visiting Sansa, it was already past ten at night.

They had expected Amanda to be asleep at this hour, but surprisingly, Basil was still sitting with her on the living room couch, seemingly waiting for their return.

Upon seeing Kieran and Julie return home safe and sound, Amanda finally seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She didn't say anything, simply turned to go back to her room.

"Wait a moment," Kieran suddenly called out to Amanda from the doorway.

Julie, who was taking off her shoes, looked up at Kieran.

Kieran walked over to Amanda, holding her by the arm, "I have some questions for you."

"Ask tomorrow," Amanda wasn't in the mood to chat with Kieran.

But this time, Kieran didn't back down, gripping her arm tighter, "Did you decide to come back on a whim?"

Amanda, clearly annoyed, shook off Kieran's hand and hit her cane hard on the floor, "I'm an old woman. Do I need to tell you in advance when I'm coming back?"

Seeing Amanda's angry expression, Julie quickly pulled Kieran away.

Yet, Kieran wasn't deterred, he asked Amanda, "What's the real reason you came back, and why are you keeping Joyce from going out?"