Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 294

“Strike first!” Julie exclaimed, “It’s as clear as day, Daphne. If you don’t want the press misconstruing your relationship with Lionel, why not beat them to the punch with a press release?*

A serious look crossed her face. “I’ve even got the perfect headline, Daphne Expecting Lionel’s Baby, Lionel Responds… Then you can fill the body with the usual stuff – that you’re just friends, the kind of friends who support each other through doctor appointments. You won’t be able to deny the baby’s existence because soon enough, Daphne, you’ll be showing. So, the best you can do is to say that Lionel was there as a supportive friend during the prenatal check-ups.”

Lionel glanced at Kieran, his eyes seemingly asking. Does your wife have something against me?”

Kieran shrugged, his expression clearly stating, You’re blaming my wife when

you can’t handle

your own?’

After giving her advice, Julie turned to Daphne, “But if you release this, you should know that Lionel probably won’t be recognized as the father. The omnipotent media will spin a thousand stories. For instance, I was painted as a cunning woman who used her child to climb the social ladder. They might say Daphne led a tumultuous personal life, and Lionel couldn’t confirm if the child was his, so he’d wait till after the DNA test to accept the child.”

Speechless, Daphne realized that Julie was the hidden scriptwriter.

Julie added, “If you end up together, it’ll be because Daphne, the woman of loose morals, used her baby to reach the top. If not, and you end up in court over the child, it’ll confirm the earlier narrative. So, think about it. Do you want to make your relationship public, or end up on the scandalous news with

your child? Personally, I prefer the latter. After all, our Daphne is resilient, right?” Giving Daphne a wink, Julie laughed innocently.

Suddenly, Lionel realized that Julie was helping him.

Daphne rolled her eyes at Julie as she said, “Look at you, acting all wise! Weren’t you just brooding a minute ago? Now, you’re an expert on my life? What big life decision were you pondering over?”

Had her worry been that obvious? Daphne noticed it the moment she saw her?

Julie hesitated, looking at the door to Sansa’s room, “Dr. Brice just told me something about Sansa.”

“What’s wrong? Is Sansa’s condition worsening?” Daphne’s face turned serious, she grabbed Julie’s hand, “Don’t worry, she’s been fighting for so many years, and she’ll be okay!”

Since Daphne brought it up, Julie decided to tell her what Dr. Brice had said.

After hearing it, Daphne said firmly, “If Kyle really might be able to wake Sansa up, we have to try. What’s the point to hesitate about?”

“But Kyle was the one who kidnapped Emily,” Julie responded hesitantly.

“Do you trust Dr. Brice?” Daphne asked.

Julie did trust Dr. Brice, more than she trusted Kyle. Since she met him, he’d proven to be a man of integrity, even helping her transfer Sansa without fear of the powerful people involved.

Seeing Julie’s expression, Daphne clapped her hand, “You know the answer, and you don’t need me to tell you.”

Julie smiled at Daphne’s words. Yes, she knew the answer. For Sansa, she would do anything, even if it meant seeking Kyle’s help. Even a one in a million chance was worth trying, wasn’t it?

Even if Kyle was unstable and dangerous, was Sansa any safer lying there?

“Yes, Daphne, you’re right. I’ve always known the answer.”

“I’m going to check on Sansa,” Daphne patted Julie’s shoulder, then turned towards Sansa’s room

Lionel, the protective husband, followed her quickly, grabbing Daphne’s arm. Daphne looked surprised, grabbing Lionel’s sleeve, “Lord Lion, I am merely pregnant, there’s no need for such fuss…”

“But you, and the baby in your belly are priceless treasures” asserted Lionel, maintaining his grip on her hand. “What do you think about naming our baby Treasure”?”

Daphne grabbed Lionel’s arm, “Are you serious?

“It’s just a nickname. What do you think?”

“Well, I want to have a daughter and have her marry my godson,” Daphne said excitedly.

Lionel gently tapped her forehead, “Why would we want our daughter to suffer at the hands of that boy?”

“You’re right; my godson seems to have a close relationship with your ex-girlfriend’s daughter.” At that, Daphne let go of Lionel’s sleeve, pushed open the door, and entered Sapsa’s room.

Kieran and Julie shared a smile.

He waved his phone, “Shall we call Kyle?”

Julie stood up, took a deep breath, “I’ll do it. Let’s head back to the office first.”

**

At Simpo Co.’s CEO’s office.

Kieran was working, while Julie held her phone, Kyle’s number displayed on thes screen, yet she hesitated to dial.

She was clutching her phone, unsure of how to begin.

Kieran noticed Julie on the couch, half her attention on her phone, half gasping for breath, both conflicted and uncomfortable.

“Honey, could you pass me the cup on the coffee table?” Kieran spoke up.

Julie picked up the cup and walked over to his direction, placing it on his desk before she was about to turn back, only to have her arm grasped by him.

With a quick spin, Jolie ended up sitting in his lap. She attempted to stand, but his arm was wrapped firmly around her waist.

“What’s up?” She didn’t resist, instead she turned to look at him, a smile on her face. “Tired? Want me to give you a shoulder massage?”

“Can you?” His breath tickled her neck.

Julie shifted uncomfortably, then nodded. “Of course!”

She extricated herself from his hold, moved behind him, and began to gently knead his shoulders. Her touch was light, but firm.

“How’s my technique?” She leaned over him, her expression hopeful, like a child seeking praise.

He turned his head, his cool lips brushing against her soft cheek.

She tilted her head to the side, increased the pressure on his shoulders, and laughed. “What are you doing?”

“Why are you avoiding me?” He spun his chair around, grabbed her small, fair hand, and pulled.

With the momentum, she ended up sitting face-to-face on his lap. His large hand held her neck as he captured her lips.

Her lips tasted sweet, softer than jelly and utterly addictive. His other hand held her slim waist, as if claiming her breath and her entire being.

The room was warm, and the temperature seemed to spike.

was just a kiss, but under his control, it felt like a vigorous activity that left her breathless.

Her mind, which was a jumble of thoughts earlier, was now solely focused on the heat that spread from their connected lips to the rest of her body. She found herself melting into him, relying on him for support.

“Stop…” She barely managed to find her voice, using her remaining rationality to pull herself out of the passionate kiss.

He finally released her, but his hand stayed on her waist, preventing her from falling. There was a certain tension brewing in him. “Earlier, I wanted to play around. Now, it’s not me who wants to play. You’ll have to talk to it about that.”

Suddenly, he lifted his legs, leaving Julie’s legs dangling in the air, her entire weight resting on his lap.

This action escalated the intimate atmosphere in the office.

Julie’s hands were around his neck, her eyes on him. “Mr. Hernandez, you do realize you forgot to lock your office door, right?”

Her lips were a dazzling shade of red, as if they were about to bleed. Her cheeks were also flushed, making her look adorable.

He arched an eyebrow, his thumb leisurely tracing the edge of her thin shirt. “So, you’re saying that if I lock the door, we can do whatever we want?”

“What do you want to do in broad daylight?” She grabbed his mischievous thumb. “Let go.”

“No.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Let go!” She looked at him, half exasperated, half amused. “Are you three years old? Why are you so childish?”

“More like thirty.” He thought about it seriously before answering.

Julie suddenly smiled. “Then I’ll call you Childish Kieran from now on!”

He looked at her with a wronged expression. “Can’t you just call me honey?”

“I’ll call you honey if you let me go.” She blinked at him, her expression clearly coaxing him to release her.

Suddenly, he stood up, holding her in his arms, and walked towards the lounge, his eyes flashing dangerously. “In that case, make sure you call me loud and clear later.”

With that, he kicked open the door…