Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 352

When Eric's call came in, it jolted Julie and Kieran out of their wits. They had braced themselves for the worst, but thankfully, it was just a swollen face. As they arrived at the hospital, Camilla's doctor was busy applying ointment to her injuries.

Julie saw Camilla’s inflamed face, feeling the pain almost as if it were her own. Simonson, that jerk, really had no scruples, to lay such a heavy hand on a woman.

"Are you okay? Want us to get back at him for you?" Julie asked Camilla, her eyebrows knitting in concern, not forgetting the mission Grandma had entrusted them with—to stand by Camilla's side in Britain.

They had intended to be Camilla's support, but now she was hurt. If they went back and Grandma saw Camilla in this state, who knew what she'd say about Julie and Kieran's lack of protection!

After mulling it over, Julie felt Simonson's character was seriously flawed. Deceiving and dumping a girlfriend was one thing, but laying his hands on someone was utterly intolerable. Although she didn't condone violence, she felt Simonson's actions were inexcusable.

However, Camilla's tears started falling, plop-plop, down her cheeks. She clutched at Julie's arm, shaking her head, "Joyce, please... don't go after him."

Her already swollen face was now streaked with tears—if a stranger saw them, they might think Julie was the bully!

Julie held Camilla's hand, saying, "That scumbag hurt you like this, and you don't want me and Kieran to get justice for you?"

Camilla shook her head, tears falling like pearls off a string. Helpless, Julie just let her hold on...

In a voice as fragile as a whisper, she said, "My relationship with him ends here. I never imagined e would deceive me. Today, I sever all ties with him, and I never want to see him again..."

Julie couldn't figure Camilla out. She seemed gentle, but ever since Daphne's theory of 'fakeness,' Julie felt she couldn't see through Camilla anymore. Probably, it was Daphne's theory influencing her thoughts.

Julie, unable to fathom Camilla's thoughts and intentions, simply turned to look at Kieran.

With casual indifference, Kieran said, "We'll do as Camilla wishes."

"Oh." Since the 'victim' had no complaints, Julie certainly wasn't going to make a fuss. They decided to follow Kieran's lead.

"Kieran..." Camilla suddenly looked up at Kieran with a longing gaze.

Kieran frowned, then Camilla said, "I miss Phoebe. Can we go home now?"

Kieran turned to Julie, "Is there anywhere else you want to visit?"

Julie wasn't really on a honeymoon as Dylan Pierson had suggested, so she shook her head, "Let's go home. I miss Ivan."

"Alright." Kieran turned to Eric, "Prepare for our departure."

Eric left the room and, following Amanda's previous instructions, secretly called her, "Ma'am, the young master, his wife, and Miss Camilla plan to return tonight."

Amanda paused before responding, "Find a way to delay them. Use any means necessary, they must not return now. Understand?"

"Understood, ma'am." Eric hung up and after a while, re-entered the room. "Sir, ma'am, there's been a sudden issue with the plane. It seems we can't take off right now. What do we do?"

Camilla frowned. A plane issue? How could such a coincidence happen?

She reached out, gently tugging Kieran's sleeve. Kieran, holding Julie close, stood near her bedside. With an outstretched hand, she could easily grasp him.

Kieran looked down in surprise, finding Camilla's hand on his sleeve, her eyes pleading, "Can we book our own tickets to fly home?"

Home? Whose home?

Julie turned to find Camilla's hand on Kieran's sleeve. Although Camilla was heartbroken and understandably distraught, Julie was not pleased.

Overwhelmed, Julie grabbed Camilla's hand and sat down beside her on the hospital bed, patting her tenderly. She looked up at Kieran, "Honey, Camilla must be feeling awful. Let's just book our own flight back, okay?"

Camilla remained silent.

Kieran nodded, instructing Eric, "Book the tickets."

Eric turned, his expression resigned. It seemed not even a broken plane could stop them now. What was he supposed to do, conjure up a flight delay? He didn't have that kind of power!

Helpless Eric stepped out again to urgently call Amanda, "Ma'am, I mentioned a problem with the plane, but Miss Camilla seems desperate to return. She insists I book tickets. What should I do now?"

After a moment of silence, Amanda, frowning, instructed Eric, "Tell the young master your phone died. You'll have to go to the airport to book the tickets. I'll figure out the rest."

Amanda, hanging up, turned to a worried-looking Dylan, "Dylan, dear, you need to help Grandma delay them. Whatever it takes, at least until tomorrow's departure."

Dylan, feeling cornered, realized he was in too deep to back out. And if he really helped Amanda, surely Kerry would forgive him in the end.

"I've tracked down Zenith," Kyle said.

Julie and Kieran locked eyes, surprise written all over their faces. Kieran asked Kyle, "For real?"

"Absolutely. If all goes well, Zenith is heading to Edinburgh for a business matter near the university tomorrow," Kyle explained.

A wave of excitement passed through Julie, "We're in Edinburgh right now! Are you sure he's coming here tomorrow? Do you have an address? Is it for business or personal reasons?"

"Business. There's a bank acquisition issue in Edinburgh, a big deal, and they've called in Zenith personally for a risk assessment," Kyle said, glancing at Dylan， feeling like he was spouting nonsense under Dr. Pierson's instruction, and he couldn't afford to slip up.

If Kieran were here in person, Kyle wasn't sure he could keep the facade going, but over the phone, he felt confident in his ruse.

While Kieran remained silent, Julie had already made up her mind, "Find out which bank. Send us the details as soon as you can. We're not leaving Edinburgh!"

"Will do. If I can confirm the meeting spot for Zenith tomorrow, you'll be the first to know," Kyle said and hung up, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He turned to Dylan and asked, "Why are we lying to Kieran and Joyce?"

"It's all in good spirit," Dylan replied, handing Kyle a newspaper. "Later on, just shoot Kieran a picture of this. It's legit; the bank's in trouble and they've called in Zenith Group for a risk assessment. Sure, it's not Zenith personally, and he won't show up, but tomorrow tell Kieran that Zenith arranged for his team to handle it."

"That's it?" Kyle still didn't understand Dylan's motives. Dylan and Kieran were tight; there was no good reason to deceive him, even if it was a white lie.

Dylan nodded, "Don't worry. If Kerry kicks up a fuss, just say I orchestrated the whole thing."

Dylan made it sound so simple, but he had his reasons. If Kerry came knocking, he'd use Amanda as a shield. Besides, it really was for the best.

On the other end of the line, Julie was pulling at Kieran's sleeve and saying, "We can't go back tonight!"

Turning to Camilla, she suggested, "How about we stay here overnight and head back tomorrow?"

Camilla stayed silent, feigning sadness.

Julie nudged Kieran, who was still pondering the coincidence, and received an unexpected kick. Snapping back to reality, he turned to Camilla and said gently, "We’ll just stay one more night?"

Hearing Kieran's kind offer, Camilla continued to play the part of the forlorn sister-in-law, bowing her head, "Alright, let's listen to you, Kieran... Sorry for the trouble today."