Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 301

At Noblewood Estate, Julie’s words had been scarce all evening, trailing off only when she settled onto the plush sofa of the villa with Kieran. It was there, in the comforting silence that followed the clinking of wine glasses and the hum of departing guests, that she found her voice again.

“The day I was held hostage, that heir was injured, and it seemed like he had pursuers on his heels. That guy Kleist had sharpshooting skills, and he respectfully called Simon ‘young master.’ I didn’t think much of it at the time…” Julie whispered to Kieran.

Kieran patted her shoulder, a comforting gesture that eased the tension in the room. “The Fitzgeralds are a force to be reckoned with, Julie. I couldn’t dig up much on them, but that gun and cell phone he left behind say a lot. If Kleist and Simon both handled that gun but only your fingerprints were found, it just goes to show how meticulous the Fitzgeralds can be.”

Julie nestled into Kieran’s embrace, who turned to Julien and asked, “Did we find out who was staying in room 2404?”

The Cardinal Hotel, owned by Kenton Jenkins, had its fair share of secrets, but none so elusive as the guest of room 2404. During the chaotic evening, when surveillance footage was scrambled and disrupted, crucial evidence had vanished into the night.

As Julien turned to make a call, presumably to Flavia, Hayden glanced at his watch. “It’s about time for Quad Dylan’s results, isn’t it?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the growl of an engine sounded outside.

Upstairs, Amanda, who had been resting, hurried to the balcony at the sight of Dylan’s car pulling up. She quickly got dressed and descended the stairs with Basil’s assistance.

Dylan burst into the room, clutching a manila envelope. He made a triumphant “Hallelujah” gesture at the door and exclaimed, “Thank god I learned to drive when I was studying abroad. I nearly got rammed off the road!”

As Hayden reached for the envelope, Dylan made his way to the sofa, recounting his narrow escape on the road after a failed attempt to reach Kerry by phone.

Hayden was the first to scan the contents of the envelope, his expression darkening. Kieran looked on, awaiting the nod that confirmed their suspicions.

Julie snatched the DNA results, her emotions a tangle of relief and sorrow, while Amanda lingered behind the children, hesitant to face the truth. Finally, Basil stepped forward, his brow furrowed after a glance at the paper, and informed Amanda, “Madam, Mr. Moore is indeed Mr. Lucian.”

Upon hearing the news, Amanda stumbled, only to be swiftly steadied by Basil’s quick reflexes. Kieran took his grandmother’s arm and gently guided her upstairs.

in her room, Amanda clutched Kieran’s arm. “That recording I received abroad…it was left by

now. I’ll keep you informed of any updates,” Kieran reassured her,

her past decisions to flee

any cost.” His word was his bond, a

his grandmother, Kieran rejoined the others downstairs. Julien was just explaining how the hotel’s upper floors had been repurposed for the evening’s gala, resulting in a convenient lack of records and a conveniently malfunctioning surveillance system.

entered 2404, and who took the USB

the guests left, Julie and Kieran went back to their bedroom. Outside, the storm raged, casting shadows through the tossing trees. Julie, fresh from a shower, lay with her head in Kieran’s lap as he

Lucian, said we should find him once the results were

Kieran’s words hung in the air, as uncertain as the future itself, “I don’t know.”

When

on Zenith was vast, so vast that Julie didn’t even know where to

Kieran and said, “Childie,

He looked down, realizing she had latched onto that nickname – childish

office. Smiling, she teased, “What’s wrong with ‘Childie’? Mrs. Jenkins calls her husband

a

little. So, by calling you something like Childie or Silly, it just proves

fixated on one

you prefer this one?” Julie was only joking, speaking off the cuff.

expression deepened. He reached out, lifted her delicate chin, and squinted his eyes, “Honey, are you sure

Chapter 301

nicknames?”

was lying across his legs and as he lifted her chin, her head instinctively tilted down. Suddenly blushing at the realization,

crimson.

the hand holding her chin, “Let go, let go. You stick to

and struggle to contain her embarrassment, Kieran let go,