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.

the Brice family, a high-ranking bureaucratic one, held steadfast to the concept of matching social status. Nance would undoubtedly prefer a cultured lady, not a woman of ill

a smile, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Dr. Brice and I are just friends.”

to Dr. Brice,

shot back,

desperation. She recalled that before her blind date with Elliot, Mr. Hernandez had mentioned Dr. Brice’s participation was to avoid Nance’s arranged blind

Yulia, was her name? Judging by

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on their conversation, Adeline thought Dr. Brice to be a decent person. It was clear that Nance had decided to confront her to hint at stepping back.”

friends now, but who knows what the future

heaven when mutual. Forced relationships are 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 their marriages, rather than

a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her brilliant orange-red lipstick, making her skin look

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

Adeline’s words were clearly a veiled hint at Nance’s interference in her son’s love life – no doubt referring to Nance’s insistence on arranging a date between her

this young woman was not to be trifled with. If she were to

turned to Elliot, “Ms. Sanches is articulate and persuasive, a testament to your

Adeline, but surprisingly, Elliot responded, “That might not be entirely due to my

use of the word ‘truths’ to describe Adeline’s words infuriated Nance. The Sanches family was adept at educating their children, leaving her at

Upon reflection, she realized her earlier statement implied that only mutual feelings could constitute true love, unilateral love was simply

my parents don’t meddle in my love life. But you, Mr. Brice, must feel lucky to have such an understanding

Brice a knowing

of criticism and consolation left Brice

at her wristwatch and announced, “Yulia should be arriving soon. I need

are you still standing there, Mr. Brice? Go

he shouldn’t stay either. Smiling, he waved at Adeline,

waved back at

had remained seated, his expression cool and aloof, as if

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