Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 286

“Are you laughing or crying? You’ve been chuckling nonstop.” Julie leaned in closer to Daphne, curious to know who was on the other end of the phone call. But Daphne handed the phone to Julie as if it were a hot potato. Her face, a picture of relief, left Julie puzzled.

Meanwhile, Julien was lying quietly on the carpet, lost in her own world, oblivious to the commotion between Julie and Daphne.

Until Julie suddenly cried out, “Hayden?”

At the sound of his name, Julien sprung up from the floor like a zombie, startling Julie who moved closer to Daphne for comfort.

Even though Julie had no idea what Hayden had said, she handed the phone to Julien, saying timidly, “Julien, it’s for you!”

Upon hearing Hayden’s name, Julien wanted to hang up. But when Julie handed her the phone, she immediately pressed the end call button and irritably tossed it back to Daphne.

Daphne’s admiration for Julien reached it peek point.

“Is it okay to just hang up on Hayden like that?” Julie asked, concerned.

Julien didn’t respond. This was the first time she had the audacity to hang up on Hayden. Usually, she would follow his orders without question.

Julie thought for a moment, then said, “Well, Hayden spoils you, so it should be fine, right?”

“Hayden spoils me? You are talking nonsense!” Julien coldly retorted, sitting up again!

Daphne clutched her chest. She couldn’t handle any more surprises from Julien.

Instead of answering Julien’s question, Julie turned to Daphne and asked, “Don’t you think Hayden treats Julien differently?”.

“It seems like it. Remember Ivan’s birthday party…”,

“What happened then?” Julie asked.

“We were having a barbecue in the garden, remember? Mr. Watson took me out there. Later, I went back to my room to get my phone and saw Mr. Dylan, Annalise Hansen, and Hayden…”

“And then what?” Julie asked, looking at Daphne curiously.

Ms. Annalise tried to

suddenly echoed, Julie and Daphne both looked at Julien.

looked at Daphne coldly, “Why

a smile, then continued, “Hayden shook off Ms. Annalise’s arm and told her he would hit her even if she’s a woman. His expression was so

hugged herself, pretending

woman. I’m lucky to be alive.”

but then she looked at Julien and said, “Wait, Ms. Annalise asked Hayden why he didn’t hit you when you were close to him. Do

want to dirty his hands by hitting me.” Julien replied

Julien’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

not. Even though he wasn’t talking to

you know why he said

Julie, innocent, “Isn’t it because

likes Julien. Why else would he say

is it because I’m a good

Julien’s

Kieran and Payne were in the room discussing something. So, I spent some time with Hayden. Then he suddenly asked

What question?” Daphne asked, eyes wide with excitement.

Kieran for his past decisions. I told him that since it’s in the past, all I can do is to be there for Ivan. I can’t change the past and I don’t want to live in hate, so let it go. But when Hayden asked me that, I didn’t really get it. So, I

me, and it didn’t sound like he was defending Kieran. Instead, it sounded like he was

Daphne asked, on the

and said, “Then I remembered, Julien, after you confessed your feelings to Hayden, didn’t he mysteriously disappear? Isn’t that the root of all the tension between you two? Maybe, just maybe, Hayden’s

7

a blanket over her head. “I only agreed

Julie and Daphne exchanged a look. After a few seconds, Julie jumped off the bed and yanked the blanket off Julien’s head. “What do you mean, ‘Adeline’s safety net’? Are you implying that something’s going on

being pregnant, couldn’t keep her excitement at bay. She rushed to Julien’s

you need to be her safety net? God, this is

patted the blanket. “Fine, I’ll explain what

Daphne sat in rapt attention, waiting for Julien to continue.

on between Hayden and Adeline, then I’ve been wrong about

her hand,

Julien was about to speak,