Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 287

Lavish Skyline Suites.

Kyle lounged on the black leather couch, draped in a white bathrobe. A case for contact lenses and a pair of gold framed glasses lay on the table beside him. He held a tall glass filled with red wine, its rich color reflected in his deep eyes, giving him an almost bewitching allure.

Lisa, standing by the window, hung up her phone and approached Kyle, nodding slightly. “Mr. Kyle, the situation at the villa has been handled. It was Canary who deliberately raised the alarm, probably trying to intimidate us. Emily has been returned to Fred, and Canary has arranged for 24/7 protection for the professor and his daughter. We can’t make a move…”

“Do you think Fred could bring her back if he tried his best?” Kyle interrupted, his gaze lost in the swirling wine.

After a long hesitation, Lisa met Kyle’s eyes and cautiously asked, “Mr. Kyle… you don’t want Miss Sansa to wake up?”

Kyle took a small sip from his glass of wine, sighed lightly, and stood up. He looked out at the neon lights outside the window. “Lisa, do you know why I named my

law firm S&J?”

Lisa shook her head. She had only been with Mr. Kyle for four and a half years, so she simply watched his somewhat lonely figure in silence.

“Do you know why I chose the name S&J?” He asked again.

This time, Lisa nodded, then cautiously told the truth, “There are rumors that you named it after your ex-girlfriend, Jessica, and your name, Stefan. It’s said that Jessica’s dying wish was to open a law firm that could help those who couldn’t afford legal fees, and that’s why you founded S&J International Law Firm. Stefan & Jessica. That’s what S&J stands for, an abbreviation of your names.”

“Jessica?” Kyle chuckled, “Don’t always believe what the rumors said. My marriage with Jessica was arranged by parents.”

After a moment’s pause, Kyle continued, “S&J is not Stefan & Jessica. J is for June, the month I met Sansa. It was the summer solstice, a day she said was special. That day, the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Cancer. She said if we ever had a daughter, she would like to name her June.” He took a deep breath.

Lisa realized that Mr. Kyle was implying that his relationship with Jessica was arranged by their parents. The rumor about S&J was just an echo of others. The real reason he chose S&J was because of Miss Sansa. And he still remembers clearly when he met Miss Sansa…

But why? Why did Mr. Kyle previously threaten Emily’s life to stop Professor Fred from saving Miss Sansa?

These, of course, were questions Lisa dared not ask. She could only keep her curiosity to herself.

Not until Kyle spoke again, seemingly to himself, “Once, I tried to avoid a war for a person, fearing that the one I loved most would be sacrificed in the war. Now it seems clear that peace often comes at the cost of war. War is usually a appendant of peace.”

Lisa didn’t quite understand what Kyle meant, but she knew that Miss Sansa was someone very important to Mr. Kyle, “So, Mr. Kyle, about Miss Sansa…”

“You should go,” Kyle, standing by the window, waved his hand, looking a bit weary.

As Lisa stood by the door, she turned back to Kyle, “Mr. Kyle, should I cancel all your appointments for tomorrow, as usual?”

“Hmm.”

Every year on this day, all of Kyle’s appointments would be canceled. Lisa would drive him to the North Hill Cemetery and park the car at the foot of the hill.

This year was no exception. Following the tradition, Lisa purchased a beautifully wrapped bunch of ivy. She handed it to Kyle as he got out of the car.

Kyle, clutching the ivy, stepped out of the car.

Lisa stayed in the car, waiting for him. Accompanying Kyle up the hill was Curtis, who had just returned from Britain the day before. He was Kyle’s most trusted right-hand man. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he stood straight beside Kyle. Accepting the bunch of ivy from Kyle, he bowed respectfully and said, “Young

Master.”

“Hmm,” Kyle responded. Step by step, he made his way up to the cemetery on the hill

Curtis followed closely behind.

The weather was overcast, neither drizzling nor sunny, a bit gloomy.

It was still early when Kyle and Curtis reached the top of the hill, just around ten in the morning.

A photo of a young man was engraved on the black tombstone. His delicate features and the slight upward curve of his lips conveyed youthful vitality. Joyce Abraham, full of life.

Before Curtis could lay down the bunch of ivy he held, he noticed another beautifully wrapped bouquet already placed in front of the tombstone. It was also a bunch of ivy, only wrapped in a different colored paper.

He turned around, checking the expression on Kyle’s face before bending down to place the ivy in his hands down.

“He’s been here.” Kyle spoke as if addressing Curtis, yet it sounded more like he was mumbling to himself.

“Mister…”

“Before the 16th century in Britain, they used ivy to brew beer instead of hops. Mixing it with barley would turn the barley into beer. Hence, the language of flowers signifies ivy as ‘influence’. Anyone born under the blessings of this flower possesses an extraordinary power of influence, capable of affecting others. This plant…” Kyle glanced at the gravestone, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips. “It suits him.”

He referred to the young boy in the photo on the gravestone.

Curtis stood beside him, remained silent and kept Kyle company without saying another word.

Julie spent the night at Daphne’s apartment, where they shared many heart-to-heart conversations.

She planned on sleeping in, but early in the morning, she was awakened by the tantalising aroma of food. Her taste buds were stirring with excitement. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Julie frowned, blinking her eyes open in confusion, only to find Daphne still sleeping next to her.

“Did you hire a cook? Why does it smell so good?” Julie poked the still drowsy Daphne.

Daphne sat up, shaking her head sleepily, “No, it’s not from my house! Man, why am I so hungry during pregnancy?”

She threw on a robe, getting up and telling Julie, “I’m going to see what’s in the kitchen.”

Julie stopped Daphne, “I’ll cook, you go brush your teeth. Isn’t it said that brushing after eating makes you feel nauseous during pregnancy?”

Daphne planted a big kiss on Julie’s cheek, “Mr. Hernandez is so lucky to marry such a remarkable and virtuous woman like you!”

“Tell that to him, not me.” Julie rolled her eyes at Daphne, “Are you trying to make me sick?”

“I just need you to know how special you are. Why would I tell Mr. Hernandez? What if he monopolizes you all the time? How am I going to survive?” Daphne rétorted confidently.

Deciding not to argue with the young lady, Julie put on her robe and headed to the kitchen. Just as she reached the kitchen door, she saw Lionel busily working inside, which startled her. She quickly retreated, leaning against the wall for support.

In the warm and cozy room, Lionel stood in the open kitchen wearing a crisp white shirt and light blue jeans, holding a beautiful ceramic plate while occasionally glancing at his wristwatch.

The warm yellow light cast a glow on his chestnut hair.

The image of Mr. Lionel in the kitchen was like a perfect painting.

Being a man who regularly appeared on the big screen, Julie felt a surreal feeling, as if she was watching TV.

Mr. Lionel also noticed Julie leaning against the wall. He obviously didn’t expect her to be there, and even dropped his wooden spoon in surprise.

Julie gave him an apologetic smile and a nod before quickly turning around and dashing back to the bedroom.

Daphne, who was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, saw Julie rush back in with a ghost-like expression and asked in confusion, “What happened? Is there a burglar?”

“No, I just remembered that I have something to do this morning. I’ll leave first. Breakfast is ready, you better come out and eat” Julie got dressed and grabbed her bag as she spoke to Daphne.

Daphne poked ber head out from the bathroom, “You finished cooking so quickly, did you just toast some bread?”

“You should go look yourself!” Julie grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

She waved to Lionel in the kitchen, “Mr. Lionel, please take good care of Daphne.”

“I’ll do my best.” He gave Julie a reassuring smile. Julie then left the apartment.

Daphne didn’t believe Julie! After rinsing her mouth and wiping her lips, she headed out of the bathroom.

However, by the time she reached the living room, Julie was gone. In her place was Lionel, busy in the kitchen.

Daphne, dressed in a milky white silk nightgown with a thin cardigan draped over her shoulders, was startled at the sight of Lionel in the kitchen.

“W-Wha… What… What are you doing here?” she stammered.

Before Mr. Lionel could answer Daphne’s question, she turned her gaze to the door lock. After confirming it was intact, she pointed at it and asked Lionel, “How do you have my house key?”

“Your mom gave it to me.” He brought her favourite breakfast to the table.