Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 272

Never did they expect to find Zenith right here. Their original plan was to investigate Zenith’s childhood environment, but to their surprise, the man himself was sitting on the couch, staring at Julie and Kieran in shock.

Anticipating their purpose for being here, Zenith’s expression was understandably grim. Raising an eyebrow, he turned to his butler, “Helga, since when do we let just anyone into the mansion?”

Helga looked a bit wronged and pointed at Kieran and Julie, explaining to Zenith, “I’m sorry, sir. They said they were your business associates, so…

“You must be Dahlia?” Even though Julie knew the old lady was blind and couldn’t see her, she still politely asked with a smile towards Dahlia.

Feeling insecure, Dahlia instinctively reached out towards Zenith. Zenith immediately extended his right arm, allowing Dahlia to grab hold.

“Zenith, do we have guests?”

“Yes, grandmother, strangers.” Zenith told Dahlia, “I think they’ve got the wrong person.”

“Are you Mr. Zenith? It appears we’ve found the right person!” Clever Julie spoke up, a hint of relief in her voice while Kieran let her take the lead.

Dahlia heard this and turned towards the sound, slightly perplexed.

Julie watched Dahlia expectantly, thinking Dahlia would at least let her identify herself. However, to her surprise, Dahlia simply said, “There are many people with the same name in the world, my dear. I’m afraid you’ve found the wrong person.”

“I apologize, Dahlia, may I ask…”

“Are you Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez?” Dahlia abruptly asked, facing Julie and Kieran.

Julie nodded at Dahlia in surprise, then quickly realized the old woman couldn’t see her nod, so she hastily responded, “Yes… yes we are.”

“I’ve heard Zenith mention you two,” Dahlia said. “Zenith’s previous mentor was indeed the professor who treated vegetative patients, but Zenith has not practiced medicine for many years, so I’m afraid he can’t help Mrs. Hernandez’s sister. If he could help, he certainly would not refuse. I’m old and just want to live out my remaining years peacefully. It’s best if you young people figure out your own issues. I’m too old for this.”.

With that, Dahlia called, “Helga, help me go to my room.”.

Helga promptly assisted Dahlia, and Zenith stood up as well.

Dahlia stood, her hand in her pocket, showing her refusal. Julie frowned, her movements stiff. If they knew Zenith was home from the start, they certainly wouldn’t have visited Dahlia directly.

With Dahlia going back to her room under Helga’s assistance, Kieran placed the nutritional supplements they brought on the glass coffee table.

“Shall we talk outside?” Kieran suggested with a deep gaze towards Zenith.

Zenith stared back at Kieran without uttering a word.

“Then let’s talk here!” Kieran asked Zenith, “Do you enjoy role-playing?”

“I’ve seen photos of Mr. Hernandez’s late brother, and if I’m not mistaken, your brother died in a plane crash many years ago. I understand why you might see me as your biological. brother, given our

resemblance. But Mr. Hernandez, if this matter involves family, I won’t hold back.”

Zenith’s cold voice echoed in the living room.

“Do you believe in doppelgangers, Mr. Moore?” Kieran asked Zenith. The two exchanged meaningful glances, neither backing down.

Julie took a deep breath, choosing not to intervene.

After a long silence, Zenith smirked, “Are you suggesting that I’m your brother’s twin, Mr. Hernandez?”

“Given what you’ve just said, Mr. Moore, it’s not entirely impossible.” Kieran shrugged nonchalantly.

Julie admired Zenith’s quick wit, as well as Kieran’s ability to play along.

Zenith seemed impatient with the exchange and asked Kieran directly, “So, if I can prove that I have no blood relation to Mr. Hernandez, will you leave my house in peace?”.

“Proof?” Kieran raised an eyebrow, waiting for Zenith’s response.

Instead of responding, Zenith acted. He picked up a nail clipper from the coffee table and briskly cut off a fingernail. He then wrapped it in a white tissue and slapped it on Kieran’s chest.

“I assume you wouldn’t trust me to do a DNA test myself, Mr. Hernandez? If that’s the case, take this and leave my house immediately!”

Julie watched Zenith’s actions in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Dahlia emerged from her room, assisted by Helga. She faced the room and asked, “Zenith, where did you put the cane your grandfather gave me? Find it for me.”

“Wasn’t it stored in the closet?” Zenith said as he moved towards his grandmother, at the same time he signaled Helga, “See them out!”

Rather than being escorted out, they were practically kicked out.

Julie and Kieran stood at the mansion’s entrance.

“The nail clipping?” Julie looked up at Kieran expectantly.

Kieran pulled out Zenith’s nail clipping and handed it to Julie.

Julie received it, held it in her hand, and after confirming that it was indeed nail clipping, she looked at Kieran with a saddened expression, asking him softly, “Could it be… Zenith isn’t really Lucian?”

Otherwise, how could he have let them go for a DNA test so readily?

Kieran fell into thought, seemingly not hearing the question.

Julie said quietly, “I’ll keep it safe until we return and let QuadDylan check it…”

“No need, the result will certainly show no blood relation.” Kieran looked at the mansion behind him, his tone enigmatic.

Inside the mansion.

Zenith went forward and handed the cane resting by the bed to Dahlia.

“That boy just now was the Kerry you often talk about, right?” Dahlia gently patted Zenith’s hand, her voice kind.

“Mhm.”

“Don’t worry, it was you who avenged Zenith’s death for our family. Although I’m old, I’m not senile. I know what to do.” The old lady’s voice sounded hoarse and ancient.

Even though he knew his grandmother couldn’t see, Zenith smiled at her fondly, then gave her a hug, holding her as if she were his own family, saying gratefully, “Thank you, grandma.”

Dahlia lightly patted Zenith’s back, her voice heavy with emotion, “Child, once a person tells a lie, to keep it from being exposed, he must cover it with countless other lies. I know you must have a reason for lying, but I still hope you can find happiness. How could God be so tough on such a kind child..

Kind?

He had long lost the right to be called kind…

After seeing off Julie and Kieran, Helga returned. Zenith turned to her and said, “Help me tidy up the room. I might stay here for a couple of days.”

After finishing his sentence, he took out his phone and went to the balcony to make a call. Bruce’s respectful voice came from the other end, “Mr. Moore?”

“The thing I asked you to prepare, delay it by a few days. I’ll handle it myself when I return.”

‘Mr. Moore, please allow me to say one thing. Even if we are trying to steal someone from Kyle, we should be the ones doing it. You shouldn’t be taking such a risky move yourself…”

“Do as I say!” This wasn’t a negotiation, it was an order.

Bruce on the other side of the call sighed helplessly after hanging up.

Ah, his life had been saved by Mr. Moore, what more could he’say?

Zenith, who had ended the call, looked down at his thumb where an artificial nail had been grafted. It had been cut from Bruce’s nail and then glued onto his thumb. So, even if they took that nail for a DNA test, the result wouldn’t be what they were hoping for.

With that thought, Zenith’s gaze deepened.

At the mansion’s front door, even though Kieran had accurately analyzed that the nail wouldn’t show any blood relation even if tested, Julie was still unable to let

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She frowned deeply, telling Kieran, “This nail was personally cut from his nail, right? Regardless, we need to have it tested to know if there’s a blood relation, right?”

Julie thought Kieran had lost hope in Zenith, so she gripped his arm and said, “Although he was very firm just now, and seemed 100% confident that he’s not Lucian when he cut the nail.. but do you just believe that he’s not Lucian?”

“I don’t believe he’s not Lucian. But I don’t believe that nail can prove anything.” He turned around, placed his left hand in his pocket, and faced Julie, “Notice anything?”

Julie looked up and down at the man in front of her and shook her head, “You are handsome?”

The man was slightly excited, hearing his wife compliment him was like drowning in honey. But…

“Other than handsome, what else? Notice anything?”