Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 49

In the private room of the hotel.

It seemed like everyone was conspiring, despite so many available seats, they’d left the one next to Julie for Kieran. By the time Kieran came back from his call, the only spot left was next to Julie,

Daphne, worried, whispered to Julie, Julie, should we swap seats?”

Julie shook her head. Swapping seats now would only make things more awkward, wouldn’t it?

She tried to keep things lowkey. The first half of the dinner went smoothly until Porter, having had too much to drink, suddenly became melancholic and started reminiscing about the past. He even blurted out to Julie, Julie, you have no idea, I used to admire you so much, you were so head over heels in love! Why didn’t you end up with Mr. Hernandez? Here, Julie, I toast to you, for love, for youth!”

With that, Porter handed Julie a full glass of hard liquor

other. They always had so much to catch up on when they gathered. After a few drinks, everyone was a bit tipsy. They all stood up and egged Julie on,

be able to

an appendectomy, could not drink, otherwise, she would

that she had to drink the liquor, Julie bravely picked

gutsy! Viviana, you should toast to Julie,

her glass and smiled at Julie. “Julie, here’s to you.”

her head and laughed. “I can’t hold my liquor well, I’ll

fun. How about we play Quarters? If you win, I drink. If you lose, you drink two?” Viviana was always up for a

way, I don’t know how to play”

then?” Kieran’s voice suddenly sounded from the side,

glance at Kieran, mentally chewing

challenger. If you lose, you keep challenging until you