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

they gathered. After a few drinks, everyone was a bit tipsy. They all stood up and egged Julie on, “Come on,

be able to leave without downing the

an appendectomy, could not drink, otherwise, she would have

bravely picked up the

so gutsy! Viviana, you should toast

for a good time, raised her glass

sipping, shook her head and laughed. “I can’t hold my liquor well, I’ll make a fool of

we play Quarters? If you win, I drink. If you lose,

quickly waved her off. “No way, I don’t know how to play”

suddenly sounded from the side,

help but glance at Kieran,

laughed. “Alright then, if you win, I drink, and you can pick the next challenger. If you lose, you keep challenging until you win. After we go around the table, we pick a new champion. Sound good?”