Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 80

Kisses rained down on her, sealing the words Julie had intended to speak in her throat, to the point where she couldn't even remember what she had initially wanted to say.

From her initial struggle to her eventual submission, Julie could only remember the moment his kiss got so intense it almost took her breath away, a moment etched into her memory.

He finally let her go after what felt like an eternity, gently wiping away the tear trails on her face with his hands.

"Joyce, I need to explain some things to you."

Julie was scared of his tenderness and affection. They felt like a whirlpool, threatening to suck her in completely.

She pushed his hands away, "I don't want to hear it."

Julie flung down some bills and headed for the door.

Behind her, Kieran's voice rang out, "Bertha and I never had an affair."

Julie had reached the door, her hand on the doorknob, ready to leave in a heartbeat.

But Kieran's calm statement stopped her in her tracks.

Her hand tightened on the doorknob, turning as pale as a ghost.

Just one sentence and she was nailed to the spot.

She didn't turn to face him, instead, she threw over her shoulder, "So, where did her baby come from? Did it grow on a tree?"

Without waiting for Kieran's answer, she walked out of the door.

Kieran didn't chase after her. After he said those words, he didn't explain further. Julie kept reminding herself that Kieran did it on purpose, to mess her mind. But deep down, she wanted to believe him.

Her phone rang. She took it out and saw Daphne calling, so she answered.

"Julie, where are you? I just got back from a business trip and went to your place, but it was a mess. Your landlord is absolutely a bonker. She said you and a guy beat up her husband and sent him to the hospital. Are you okay?" Daphne's concern warmed Julie's heart.

"I'm fine," Julie replied. At the mention of her landlord, she just chuckled.

Daphne's anxious voice on the other end of the line said, "Where are you? I'm coming over to find you."

Julie told Daphne where she was, and Daphne took a taxi and came in about ten minutes.

Seeing Julie's limp, Daphne frowned. "I thought you said it was okay. Why is it in plaster?"

Julie wiped her lips with her hand.

"Daphne, I'm fine. But I did sprain my ankle wearing high heels," Julie replied, putting a hand on Daphne's shoulder.

Daphne frowned at her, "So, what happened between you and your landlord? I arrived at your building and saw two ambulances!"

"Two?" Julie looked at Daphne, a bit unsure.

"Yes," Daphne nodded, "I freaked out! I thought something happened to you! After asking around, I found out that one of the ambulances was for a woman downstairs who had hurt a pregnant woman in a fight. The other was for your landlord. What exactly happened?"

Daphne was the only person Julie could trust unconditionally at the moment, so she told her everything that happened.

To her surprise, the first question Daphne asked was, "So Mr. Hernandez was misunderstood all along?"

Was that really the point of her story?

Daphne thought for a moment, and then asked, "Did you ask Mr. Hernandez, if he didn't sleep with Bertha, then whose child is it?"

"I did. I asked if the baby grew on a tree. But he didn't answer."

Daphne burst into laughter, "Maybe it did grow on a tree!"

Seeing Julie's serious face, Daphne also got serious. "But assuming they didn't sleep together doesn't mean they couldn't have a test-tube baby. But why would they choose Bertha when you could have children? Because Bertha was smarter, prettier, and has better genes?"

"You're such a great friend!" Julie rolled her eyes at Daphne.

Daphne flipped her hair, "Actually, I don't think that reason explains. Even if they wanted superior genes, why choose Bertha? Why not choose me?"

"Daphne!"

"Alright, alright, I'm just analyzing with you," Daphne sat down next to Julie and grabbed her hand, "Could he be lying to you? Since Bertha is dead, no one can confirm the truth. He still has feelings for you, so... No, that can't be. Mr. Hernandez isn't that kind of person."

Julie laughed in response, "He's still devoted to his ex-wife. I'm actually helping him win her back. How dangerous could it be? Only his son likes me, and I quite like the kid as well."

"Okay, think about it then!" With that, Daphne gave the driver her address.

"Weren't you gonna help me pack?" Julie asked.

Daphne rolled her eyes at her, "Are you nuts? What if your landlady is waiting for you? How could we, two damsels, possibly handle her?"

Damsels? Daphne, were you thinking this when you won the national boxing championship?

"Did you leave anything valuable at home?" Daphne asked Julie.

Julie thought for a moment, all her belongings were in her handbag, including her bank cards, passport, ID card, and some cash. There were only some clothes and bed sheets left in her apartment. And she carried all the receipts about Sansa Abraham's hospitalization with her.

Seeing Julie's expression, Daphne had a pretty good idea of the situation.

"Even my mom wouldn't want those old clothes at your place. Let's go rest at my place first and negotiate your salary with your future boss! Whatever is left can be thrown away. I'll check on Adolf at the hospital later. Given your situation, it’s better not to move around too much." Daphne suggested.

In that moment, Julie felt touched. Daphne was a more reliable friend than a lover or a family member, the only one who stood by her side through thick and thin...

Seeing Julie's expression, Daphne patted her shoulder, "Lean on me, but don't you dare cry. This is a new outfit and I'll have to wash it if you ruin it."

Julie couldn't help but smile, taking out her phone from her pocket, she found "J Kennedy's" number, hesitated a bit, then texted, "Mr. Kennedy, are you free now?"

In the noodle shop, Kieran glanced at his vibrating phone. A few seconds later, he picked it up, replied, "How's the consideration going?"

"Can it include accommodation?" Julie asked.

"Yes, any other requests?"

"Nope, can I start working today?" Julie asked.

Kieran glanced at his expensive watch, "Ivan gets off school in an hour and you can pick him up. As for the salary, tell Ivan. Then he'll tell me. I've got other things to deal with, gotta go."

"Okay. Sure." Julie quickly asked the cab driver to head straight to the kindergarten.