Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 228

“No worries.” Kieran took Julie’s hand, suddenly pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head to look into her beautiful eyes. “There’s something I need to confirm.” “What is it?” She pushed against his chest. “Put me down and we can talk properly.”

“I’ll tell you tonight.” With that, he took advantage of her distraction, leaned down to kiss her forehead lightly, then stood up. “I have work to deal with. Need to take a trip to the office.”

Just as Julie was waving Kieran goodbye, she received a call from Ivan’s teacher. The last time she picked Ivan up from school, she’d left her number with his teacher. As soon as she got the call from his teacher, Julie rushed to the school.

Half an hour later, in Ivan’s homeroom teacher Andie’s office.

Ivan was sitting in a chair across from Andie, who looked at the test paper in his hand, then at Ivan. “Did you complete this test paper on your own?”

Ivan shot Andie a cold look, replied, “I didn’t do it, my pen did.”

Andie was speechless.

There was no mistake in this answer. Just as Andie was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Hearing Andie’s voice, Julie pushed the door open and walked in.

As soon as Ivan saw Julie; he sat much more upright. He looked at Julie with a big smile. “Mom!” Andie naturally knew about the stir caused by Julie and Kieran’s wedding news. Seeing Julie, he immediately stood up to greet her. “You must be Mrs. Hernandez?”

Julie nodded with a smile.

“Here’s the thing.” Andie handed two test papers to Julie. “This one is from the last exam, and this one is from the most recent exam. Last time, Ivan scored only eight points, but this time, he scored full marks. Ivan has always been one of the lowest scorers in the class since he started school. His sudden improvement…”

“Do you suspect Ivan cheated?” Julie instantly grasped Andie’s implication.

Even though that was indeed what Andie was hinting at, seeing Julie’s expression, he chuckled awkwardly. “I was just wondering, did you recently hire a tutor for Ivan? Of course, a child’s grades are important, but the most important thing is character. Ivan may not always score well, but he’s very smart and sharp. I believe as long as he studies hard, he can certainly achieve such results.”

Clearly, Andie doubted the authenticity of Ivan’s progress. Julie could understand. This was his sense of responsibility showing.

Just as Julie was about to speak, Ivan suddenly stood up. “Yes! My mom is my tutor. Andie, look, isn’t my mom both smart and beautiful?”

This was typical braggadocio! Andie glanced at Julie and immediately nodded in agreement, “Yes, maybe I was overthinking.”

“Thank you, Andie.” Julie nodded at him, then patted Ivan’s shoulder. “Wait for me outside, okay?”

Having such a gentle and beautiful mom was indeed better than having a strict father like Kerry. Ivan strutted out of the office with hands behind his back, pride plastered on his face.

chat with Andie for a while and exchanged WhatsApp contacts with him so she could

the office.

at his phone, couldn’t help but comment to his fellow teacher Carmel. “See, mothers are generally

laugh. “Did you really expect

point. But look at Ivan! He did so well in this exam. If he’s got the

had an affair with a woman named Bertha Stewart. After Mr. Hernandez and Mrs. Hernandez divorced, Ivan has been living with his father. Maybe the reason why this child from a single-parent family pretended to be a poor student was to get his father’s attention! Bertha committed suicide a while ago, so Mr. Hernandez

progress was to

appearing to be patiently teaching him something. Carmel shook her head and sighed, “Possibly! There might not be much love between the couple, otherwise why wouldn’t they ever pick up their child from school together? Even if they are

can’t…”

“Carmel…”

can’t be absent from their child’s growth! Every family has its issues.

Andie pointed

He was holding Ivan’s hand with one hand and gently tucking Julie’s loose hair

hand and smiled at him, saying something. They

Carmel, “Seems like we can’t believe everything

Carmel was speechless.

the door.

Kieran, “Do you need to go back to the office later?”

“No need.”

south of the city! I’ll give Shannon a call to let her

but Mr. Hernandez shot that idea down straight

need to get home early today,” Kieran said seriously.

looking disappointed at

tug at Julie’s heartstrings. He knew if he pulled the puppy dog eyes, she’d

compromised. She tugged at Kieran’s sleeve, saying, “Let’s take him to the food street today! It might not be the cleanest, but we’re not going

won’t

the food street!” Ivan whined, tugging at his dad’s sleeve. He looked up

“Don’t go!”

moment, then mimicked Ivan, tugging at Kieran’s sleeve and pleading, “Kieran, I want to go to

Kieran took Julie’s hand and started

in shock for a few seconds before scampering

a bit of silence, he pouted at his mom, “Mom, tell me

how do you think you came about?” Kieran raised an eyebrow, asking.