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 cultured lady, not a woman of

listen to his nonsense. Dr. Brice and I are

turned to Dr. Brice, “We’re

shot back, “Are

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

her name? Judging by Nance’s demeanor,

ノ

on their conversation, Adeline thought Dr. Brice to be a decent person. It was clear that Nance had decided to confront

laughing, “We may be friends now,

Dr. Brice nonchalantly, “Love is a match made in 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

to face Nance, flashing a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her brilliant orange-red lipstick, making her

no wonder people said it was

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

not to be trifled with. If she were to

persuasive, a

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

The Sanches family was adept at educating their children, leaving her at a loss for

realized her earlier statement implied that only mutual feelings could constitute true love, unilateral love

my love life. But you, Mr. Brice, must feel lucky to have such

gave Brice a knowing

of criticism and consolation left

peeved, glanced at her wristwatch and announced, “Yulia should be arriving soon. I need to leave.”

still standing there, Mr. Brice? Go

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

waved back at

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

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