Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 297

“What’s it?” Kieran asked Zenith.

Instead of revealing the item, it was Jesse who’d been lurking by the doorway, suddenly striding into the room. Kieran and Julie’s friend Bolt, who they’d brought with them, thought something was up and followed him in.

Yet all Jesse did was close the room’s drapes before stepping back outside.

Bolt cast a bemused look at Kieran and Julie, only for Kieran to wave him off. Bolt then followed Jesse out, leaving Zenith to switch on the room lights and shut the door.

In the ensuing, eerily silent room, Zenith finally pulled out a small black box from his pocket and handed it to Kieran.

Since Zenith had wrapped it so carefully, it was clear he didn’t want Kieran and Julie to see what was inside.

“Who do you want us to give this to?” Julie asked Zenith.

Zenith didn’t name names, instead saying, “You’ll know when the time comes.”

Kieran set the box on the table, his eyes giving Zenith a measured glance as he asked, “Why are you so sure we’ll help you out?”

“Because I’m Lucian. How’s that for a reason?” Zenith countered, a smile curling up his lips that sent shivers down their spines.

1

The truth about Lucian that Julie and Kieran had been chasing for so long was now being self- proclaimed by Zenith, who they’d even used blood samples to test. Yet his devil-may-care attitude and stark difference from Lucian only muddied the waters further…

“So, you’re changing your tune now? No more denial?” Kieran held up the box.

“Didn’t you go for a blood test?” Zenith stood up, leaning onto the table, “After you deliver this to its rightful owner or get the test results from QuadDylan,

come find me.”

With that, Zenith drained his glass of red wine and left, not even touching his food.

Kieran clutched the box in his hand, only to see Zenith pause at the door to say, “Oh, and if you don’t want to get hit by a car again, keep this box a secret. And, I suggest you let her deliver it.”

“Me?!” Julie pointed at herself, her face full of confusion as she watched Zenith leave. He didn’t turn back.

Julie took the box from Kieran, then looked up to ask, “The invitation you got earlier, it was from Fitzgerald Bank, right?”

“Yeah, tonight, Cardinal Hotel.”

“Do you trust him?” Julie stared at Zenith’s retreating figure, her face serious.

Kieran didn’t say whether he believed him or not, but he still had Payne scan the box, only to find a USB stick inside.

“Geez…” Payne exclaimed, handing the box back to Kieran, “Kerry, do you think Zenith is really Lucian? Don’t you think there are too many doubts?”

“At least it’s not a bomb…” Julie muttered, eyeing the box.

“Well, if we assume Zenith is Lucian, then I have a few questions. Not to mention how he survived the plane crash, how is he walking? Is that some kind of miracle? And that incident with Bertha, he thought she was in cahoots with Julie, right? So, he was seeking justice for you. But that’s not justice, that’s outrageous. I believe Lucian would stand up for you, but I can’t believe he would do such a thing. And what did Bertha say before?”

“Lucian lost his memory.” Julie added.

“Right, lost his memory. So, he did all that and even wanted to take revenge on Julie. But the one who left the voice recorder for granny, that was Lucian, right?”

Kieran nodded.

“And the recording was a warning for Julie to be careful. And then there was the time when the queen went to Feliz Gastro House to save Julie. That was also Lucian’s doing, right? And recently, Lucian got hurt while trying to save Julie.” Payne was getting frustrated, “So, the one who wanted to hurt Julie and the one who saved her multiple times is the same person. Do you think… Lucian didn’t lose his memory, but he has double personalities?”

Kieran gave Payne a look, saying, “I don’t believe what you said.”

With that, he grabbed the box and Julie’s hand, and they left.

Payne chased after them, “What’s up? Why do I feel like Kerry is looking down on my IQ?”

Julie turned back and gave Payne a smile, “You misunderstood. Kerry is just saying your logic isn’t strong.”

Payne thought, that’s even worse…

**

Cardinal Hotel.

By the time Julie and Kieran arrived, it was already past seven. The entrance was adorned with a red carpet and media on both sides. There were over a dozen valets standing by. Julie was taken by Kieran to get a makeover from Daniel in the afternoon.

Seeing Julie and Kieran now, Daniel was filled with disdain. He hated lovey-dovey couples the most, especially those who flaunted their affection. He was sick of these couples who flirted in public.

But Daniel was still professional. Today, Daniel chose a nude pink evening gown for Julie. It was an elegant design with thin straps on the shoulders, revealing a hint of her fragrant shoulders. The sleeves were made of satin with ruffles.

The color suited Julie perfectly.

The length of Julie’s gown was just balanced, tantalizing, yet not too revealing. The dress was long enough to avoid being restrictive, giving her an

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elegant aura as she walked. Kieran’s arm was wrapped around her waist, leading her into the grand hotel.

In Julie’s white clutch was a mysterious black box, along with her smartphone. Zenith had told her that he would let her know who to hand the box over to during the event.

As they entered the banquet hall, Julie’s eyes darted around curiously. From powerful businessmen to influential politicians, the attendees were all impeccably dressed, each exuding a sense of class and sophistication. However, none of them seemed to be the intended recipient of the black box.

Kieran, holding Julie’s hand gently, gave her a reassuring glance, signaling her not to worry about the box.

I

Several of Kieran’s business associates came over to greet them, and he introduced Julie to each one. Although they had known each other for years, this was the first time she had attended such a formal business event at his side.

It was also the first time he held her waist in public, proudly introducing her to his business associates.

As Julie leaned into Kieran, her initial nervousness faded away, but replaced by a sense of comfort and security. As they prepared to rest on a nearby sofa, a familiar voice sounded behind them.

“Kerry?”

Julie and Kieran turned around to find Hayden and Julien had arrived.

On regular days, neither Kieran nor Hayden was a fan of such events. However, both of them were present tonight, even Hayden who was accompanied by Julien.

Julien wore a stunning black backless gown, with high-waist and a pair of black stilettos accentuating her slender legs. Standing next to Hayden in his sharp black suit, they made a surprisingly perfect pair. Even Julie couldn’t help but glance back and forth between them.

The attendees recognized Julie and Kieran, but they were curious about Hayden and Julien’s identities. The moment they saw them conversing with Kieran and Julie, they knew they were no ordinary guests. The charismatic duo immediately caught the attention of the crowd

Julie grabbed Julien’s hand, excitedly asking, “Julien, what brings you here?”

Instead of answering directly, Julien typed something on her phone and showed it to Julie, “Heard Simon might show up tonight. Wanted to try my luck.” Simon was the mysterious heir to the Fitzgerald family, a man even Julien had never met. He was also the anonymous donor who had given a hefty sum to Sansa. Julie had thought the issue was already a thing of the past, but it seemed Julien and Hayden were still pursuing it.

Julle quickly typed back, asking, “Have you ever met Simon?”

“No.” Julien replied, her answer as succinct as ever.

Julie was perplexed. If they had never seen Simon, how would they recognize him if he happened to be at the party? Unless he decided to reveal his identity himself.

Julien asked Julie, “Why are you guys here?”

Julie glanced at Kieran, letting him answer, so he simply said, “We had our reasons.”

Just as Kieran finished speaking, a group of burly security guards rushed in through the entrance and ran upstairs. The high-society guests quickly stepped aside to make way.

Julien and Hayden exchanged looks.

Just as Julien was about to follow the security guards, a Persian cat darted into the banquet hall. The fluffy creature rubbed against a lady’s ankle, causing her to shriek and stumble backwards, accidentally knocking over the champagne tower.

The loud crash drew everyone’s attention, even Julien paused in her steps.

The woman clung to her partner, a bald man in his fifties, in shock. The man, clearly annoyed, kicked the cat away, “Whose bloody cat is this? What’s the deal with the security here, can’t even keep a stray cat in check!”