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

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, “Come on, Porcupine’s right, for love, for youth‘ Julie, you gotta drink this one.”

be able to leave

drink, otherwise, she would have

drink the liquor, Julie bravely picked up the glass and downed it in one

Julie to be so gutsy! Viviana, you should toast to Julie, weren’t you guys

good time, raised her glass and smiled at Julie. “Julie,

blushing from the drinks she’d been sipping, shook her head and laughed. “I can’t hold my liquor

I drink. If you lose, you drink two?” Viviana was always

way, I don’t

then?” Kieran’s voice suddenly

but glance at Kieran, mentally chewing

challenger. If you lose, you keep challenging until you win. After we go around the table, we pick