Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 284

Julien tucked away her shovel in disappointment. The footprint appeared to have been deliberately obscured, it certainly wasn’t Zenith’s.

Exhausted from digging, Julien felt like she could just tie Zenith up and give him a proper grilling!

She frowned, placing the shovel back into the toolbox.

Just as she turned to leave, she noticed Hayden had silently appeared behind her. The only man capable of sneaking up on her like that.

She had no doubt that Raines had betrayed her, so…

“How did you know I’m here?” she asked, unflustered by being caught red-handed.

Hayden glanced at the toolbox she was holding, “I came to take you to the barber shop.”

Clearly, he hadn’t forgotten her previous idea to shave her head.

Julien smirked at him, “I can handle my own hair. I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for that. Thanks!”

“Who do you think made this footprint?” he pointed at the few footprints by the wetlands of the lake. Since he had noticed, Julien saw no need to hide anything from him, so she replied, “The man in black who tried to kidnap Emily.”

“I mean, who do you think made this footprint?” he repeated patiently.

“Zenith,” she answered honestly.

It was a late night by the lake, under the warm glow of a single street lamp. Julien and Hayden stood by the lake, their shadows elongated by the light. It was a cold winter night. A layer of mist rose from the lake, making it look mysterious and eerie.

Julien, lightly dressed, stood straight-backed.

As they stood stiffly by the lake, he suddenly asked, “Are you cold?”

Was he… caring for her? Julien thought it must be.

“I’m not cold,” she replied firmly, so quickly it seemed she hadn’t given it any thought.

Even though she claimed she wasn’t cold, he removed his black coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“You can be honest with me,” he said, gently pressing her shoulder. Her eyes were even brighter in the dark.

She replied without any emotion, “I am being honest.”

out to remove the coat, intending to return it to

towards the woods. They walked in peace through the forest, both kept quiet, their eyes on the path ahead, at a moderate

been in love for years, taking a walk in

tranquil and beautiful scene made Julien forget to stop him. Once upon a time, when she still had a

a man she loved, and a promise of growing old

man in her

changed, even her

quiet forest, the bright street lights illuminated the wide asphalt road. Kyle’s mansion was brightly lit, probably because Julien had alerted the

lights brought her back to reality,

said, “Lien, people who reject me pay a

this is a threat…” Julien shoved the coat back at him,

in the eye, unflinchingly and defiantly.

all in black, holding a silenced gun. Raines had told him that Miles Simson had brought back

she was a dead girl walking.

upstairs from the back door to his room, but he accidentally overheard her assertive voice from downstairs, she

the railing on the second floor, curious for the first time, and looked down at

but her pale face was calm

said ‘There is no coward in our family’

to have been provoked by her

Even if it was the innocence of a child,

girl was doomed, he unexpectedly made his first request to Miles.

and said to Miles, “I need a toy. Keep her.”

was spared. She

fight, and survive in a cruel society. He trained her to become an invincible female

trust.

that her eyes were the purest, most unblemished eyes he had ever seen in

in

she endured and obeyed him, never defying him, even trying hard to

didn’t know was that in Hayden’s dark world, she was like a bright street lamp in

question you’ve never asked me,” Hayden said, not reaching out to take

simply opened his car door and tossed

opened her own car door, about to

a clear, deep voice came from behind her, “You never asked me if I love

treasured affection to him. So she tried to be innocent and offered herself to him, thinking it was the ultimate expression

Maybe it was because she never expected to receive his love in return. Or maybe, she wasn’t sure if his frosty demeanor even

she could sense his deliberate efforts to get close to her,

efforts of yours, getting close to me, trying to please me, showing concern for me, because you love me? Or is it