Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 261

Adeline had made it clear that Dr. Brice had done it on purpose.

Just as she was about to respond, a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Nance. The woman held a charcoal-grey purse in her hand, poised to speak.

Adeline quickly stood up, startling Nance, who teetered backwards, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Dr. Brice hadn’t expected his mother to approach so directly- thankfully, it wasn’t peak hours at the restaurant, and there were no other customers. It was due to the lack of morning crowd that he and Adeline hadn’t opted for a private dining room.

Dr. Brice stood up, ready to introduce Nance, but Adeline beat him to it, extending her hand to greet Nance, “Nance, it’s a pleasure. I’m Adeline. I didn’t realize you were sitting behind us, I thought I’d mistaken you for someone else. Dr. Brice and I were just discussing you- he mentioned your elegance and extensive knowledge.”

“Oh?” Nance shifted her gaze to her son.

Dr. Brice felt a moment of panic – he should have expected Adeline’s ire regarding the Elliot situation.

“Mother, what brings you here?” Dr. Brice asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nance was a skilled conversationalist. She smiled at Dr. Brice, “I had arranged a shopping trip with a friend, but she isn’t here yet. I thought I’d rest for a while and as luck would have it, found you and Ms. Sanches here.”

“My lady, you know who I am? I’m honored!” Though saying this, Adeline’s expression seemed insincere.

Nance had expected Adeline to ask about her friend, but the young woman was unpredictable. Nance, however, maintained her smile, “Ms. Sanches, your beauty is unforgettable.”

“My lady.” Elliot stood up and extended his hands to her.

Nance had noticed Elliot earlier and wasn’t about to ignore the young heir of the Sanches Group. She greeted politely and remarked, “I didn’t realize,you knew my son…”

Before she could finish, Elliot chuckled and waved it off, “My lady, you misunderstand. Dr. Brice and I have just mét. If it weren’t for a mutual friend setting up Adeline and Dr. Brice, I may not have had the chance to meet him.”

Nance’s smile faded slightly at his words.

that the Brice family, a high-ranking bureaucratic one, held steadfast to the concept of matching social status. Nance would undoubtedly prefer a

avoid further complications, Adeline said with a smile, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Dr. Brice and I are just friends.”

to Dr. Brice,

back, “Are we?”

in Dr. Brice’s eyes, Adeline sensed his desperation. She recalled that before her blind date with Elliot, Mr.

by Nance’s demeanor, she seemed pleased with Yulia.

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Dr. Brice to be a decent person. It was clear that

slapped Dr. Brice’s shoulder, laughing, “We may be friends now, but who knows what the

no good. It’s best when feelings naturally develop and both parties are willing. Nowadays, free love is encouraged. As parents, wouldn’t you want your children to be happy in

agree, Nance?” Adeline turned to face Nance, flashing a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her brilliant orange-red

bright light, it’s no wonder people said it was beyond description. Even the experienced Nance

interference in her son’s love life – no doubt referring to Nance’s insistence on arranging a date between her

woman was not to be trifled with. If she were to contend

to Elliot, “Ms. Sanches is articulate and persuasive, a testament to your parents’ upbringing.

might not be entirely due to my parents’ efforts.

Nance. The Sanches family was adept at educating their children,

support her so strongly. Upon reflection, she realized her earlier statement implied that only mutual feelings could constitute true love,

relief, “I am fortunate that my parents don’t meddle in my love life. But you, Mr. Brice, must feel lucky to have such an

gave Brice a

method of criticism and consolation left Brice at a

wristwatch and announced, “Yulia should

there, Mr. Brice? Go and

leaving Brice who looked at Elliot, knowing he shouldn’t stay either. Smiling, he waved at Adeline,

back at

who had remained seated, his expression cool and aloof, as if trying to discern’something from

pumpkin-colored trench coat, draped it over her shoulders and reached for her purse. But Elliot grabbed it