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

able to leave

had an appendectomy, could not drink, otherwise, she would have stepped in

bravely picked up the glass and downed it

to be so gutsy! Viviana, you should

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

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

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

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

about Rock, Paper, Scissors then?” Kieran’s voice suddenly

glance at

you keep challenging until you