Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 338

"Can you make it?" Kieran asked Camilla, concern lacing his voice.

Camilla attempted to rise, her one-footed stance awkward and clearly painful. Her furrowed brow betrayed her discomfort as she stoically endured the pain.

Amanda, unable to bear the sight, tapped Kieran on the shoulder, "What are you waiting for? Help Camilla to her room to rest. We've got enough hands on deck to handle a couple of kids, don't we?"

Watching Amanda's melodramatic concern, Daphne couldn't help but wonder if Camilla was Amanda's ideal granddaughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, Julie was oblivious to the drama, cradling Ivan in one arm while thoughtfully pushing a plate of tapioca pudding towards Phoebe with the other, her eyes encouraging him to dig in without reservation.

Ivan, now quiet, watched Phoebe intently as if trying to gauge from his manner what kind of person he was. After all, Ivan had never encountered anyone quite like him and found the novelty intriguing.

Amanda broke the silence, "Kieran, just carry Camilla inside. It's not good for her to be standing on that foot for so long. It'll swell up something fierce."

Julie snapped out of her reverie just in time to catch the tail end of the commotion and turned to see Kieran and Camilla. Kieran carrying Camilla to her room?

She racked her brain but couldn't recall ever being given such a treatment herself. Sure, Kieran had scooped her up and even piggybacked her on occasion, but she'd never felt the reassuring strength of his back.

Lost in thought, Julie missed Kieran's apologetic glance toward Camilla before he turned to Shannon and said, "Could you get Bolt to help Camilla to her room? I threw my back out last night and it's still killing me."

His look of mock resentment directed at Julie made it clear who he blamed for his injury.

Julie was taken aback. Did he throw out his back last night? That was news to her.

As she pondered when exactly Kieran might have injured himself, Amanda's voice broke through with concern, "How on earth did you manage to hurt your back? You need to learn some moderation. Is it serious? Should you get it checked out at the hospital?"

Then, with a reproachful glance at Julie, Amanda seemed to suggest she was somehow to blame.

Caught in the crossfire, Julie could only muster a bewildered expression.

In the end, Bolt strode in and effortlessly carried Camilla to her bedroom. Amanda, seizing the opportunity to get close to Phoebe, cheerfully led him to the kitchen in search of treats.

Kieran, too, was ushered away by Amanda.

Once the parlor was left to Julie and Daphne alone, Daphne clutched at Julie's shoulders with an excited twinkle in her eye, "I knew it, my instinct was right."

"About what?" Julie responded, thrown off by the sudden praise.

Daphne gestured toward Kieran and said, "Kieran. When he said he threw out his back, I'm so touched!"

"You mean when he was lying?" Julie replied with a wry smile, "I don't know when he supposedly hurt his back. By Grandma's reaction, you'd think I was the one who did it."

"Wasn't his backache caused by you?" Daphne teased, nudging Julie's shoulder, "No need to be shy with me."

Julie looked utterly confused, "What are you talking about?"

Daphne finally realized the misunderstanding, "All that was just a ruse?"

"What ruse?" Julie pressed, feeling increasingly lost in the conversation.

Daphne gave her a look of exasperation, "Come on, think about it. To avoid carrying Camilla upstairs, Kieran comes up with that excuse. He throws us off with this unexpected display of affection and makes his feelings clear. Most importantly, he managed to dodge Carmela."

Julie laughed helplessly, "Stop talking nonsense. Her name is Camilla."

"I don't care what her name is," Daphne retorted, grabbing Julie's arm, "She's that long-lost sister Bertha found, right?"

Julie nodded.

Her eyes shimmering with curiosity, Julie urged, "Yeah? And then what?"

"Then, if you do figure her out, you can't just go accusing her in front of your man. If you outright say she's a schemer, odds are your guy will think you're the one stirring up trouble, being petty, or just plain jealous."

Julie nodded in agreement.

Even though Daphne had grown up in a loving, albeit not very wealthy, home, Julie was surprised to hear her speak so astutely on such matters.

"The most dangerous ones are the third type," Daphne continued.

"The third type?" Julie echoed.

Daphne put on her best fortune-teller face and whispered to Julie, "Yes, the third type, the most formidable. They keep a low profile, not just men, but even women fail to spot them. They slide into your life unnoticed, well-read, and well-mannered. They're never overt in their actions or their intentions, and they somehow manage to be helpful, proving their worth, making a man feel he needs this woman. Over time, they slowly make their move, leading a man into the illusion of true love, believing that this schemer is the soulmate he's been searching for. Women, under their subtle influence, start to believe that this schemer is indeed superior in every way, even feeling insecure and thinking the schemer is a better match for their husband. This way, the schemer takes over effortlessly, even earning praise from everyone around. The wife, meanwhile, is left to either boil over with rage or step aside in defeat."

Julie felt like she was listening to an incredible story.

Daphne nodded earnestly, "Exactly. Imagine someone so outstanding always around, always ready to assist Kieran, who treats her with respect and politeness. And Amanda adores her, thinking the whole Hernandez family owes her. What about you? If she really is setting her sights on Kieran, wouldn't you feel awkward?"

Considering the past few days, with Amanda treating Camilla almost like a granddaughter-in-law and Julie feeling somewhat sidelined, it did seem awkward.

Daphne waved her hand dismissively, "I'm just saying, keep your eyes peeled. Whether Camilla is a schemer or not, remember back in school, before you knew me, how fiercely possessive you were of Kieran? Anyone who dared to get close faced your wrath. And now you seem so relaxed?"

Reflecting on Daphne's words, Julie smiled with a sense of relief, "Maybe it's because I've already lost him once, so I'm beyond making those naive promises of vengeance."

Just when Daphne thought Julie had softened, Julie's tone took a sharp turn, "I’ll kill him if he cheats on me."

Daphne stared at Julie, half in shock, half in amusement, "Julie, you've got the spirit of a warrior."