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.

hadn’t expected a casual date to become so complex. Everyone knew that 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

listen to his nonsense.

Dr. Brice,

Brice shot back,

eyes, Adeline sensed his 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

remembered, Yulia, was her name? Judging by Nance’s demeanor, she seemed pleased with Yulia.

ノ

be a decent person. It was clear

friends

Nance’s expression change, Adeline turned to Dr. Brice nonchalantly, “Love is a match made in heaven when mutual. Forced relationships are no good. It’s best when feelings naturally develop

Adeline turned to face Nance, flashing a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her

bright light, it’s no wonder people said it

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 son and Yulia!

speaking, Nance knew this young woman was not to be

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

clearly a dig at Adeline, but surprisingly, Elliot responded, “That might not be entirely due to

family was adept at

earlier statement implied that only mutual feelings could constitute true love, unilateral love was simply coercion. Her one-sided love for Elliot was essentially forcing him, explaining why

conversation, expressing 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 understanding mother, right?”

gave Brice a

and consolation left Brice at a loss.

“Yulia should be arriving soon. I

Brice? Go and accompany your mother!” Adeline gently

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

at Dr. Brice.

cool and aloof,

draped it over her shoulders and reached for her purse. But Elliot grabbed