Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 159

Media was bombarding Lionel with questions, asking if Daphne was the mystery woman he escorted

out of the jewelry store that day. Lionel chuckled, turning and gently touching Daphne’s chin, then

gazing deep into her eyes. He asked back, “Do you think she’s the one?”

The reporters nodded unanimously. Daphne was about to explain, but Lionel wrapped his arm around

her shoulder and grinned at the reporters, “She’s Daphne, the deputy editor of Gentlemen, an old friend

of mine. Calling us boyfriend and girlfriend would be too cliché.”

Daphne looked at Lionel. He spoke as if they were quite close. But in Daphne’s memory, she and

Lionel didn’t interact much, mostly just

for work.

But now Lionel was declaring them old friends. She couldn’t just contradict him, could she?

So all she could do was awkwardly laugh it off, “Yes, we’re old friends! Our relationship is pure

friendship!”

Daphne was a pro at acting in her everyday life, so Julie wasn’t worried about Daphne’s ability to roll

with the punches.

Lionel didn’t announce Daphne as his girlfriend as Kieran implied. And knowing Daphne for many

years, Julie could tell from Daphne’s eyes that she wasn’t in love with Lionel. Julie felt relieved. That’s

when it hit her that she’d been’duped by Kieran…

Kieran tricked her into attending this charity event and cost her a month’s full attendance bonus.

“What a petty boss!” Julie grumbled to herself, feeling a little shortchanged.

Just as Julie was about to yank her arm away from Kieran, he said, “Lionel took Daphne away.”

Upon hearing this, Julie immediately looked towards the door. Sure enough, Daphne and Lionel, who

were just at the entrance being interviewed, were now nowhere to be seen.

“Where did they go?” Julie asked Kieran anxiously.

Kieran pointed upstairs, a place off-limits to the media.

Julie immediately pulled Kieran’s hand and ran upstairs.

Mr. Hernandez was a bit taken aback. This was the first time Julie had taken his hand since the got

back together, and it was for

another woman…

-Mr. Hernandez’s face darkened slightly as he followed Julie upstairs.

As soon as Daphne and Lionel reached the top, they saw Albertine and Babur.

Albertine was stunning. Her smile was sincere and straightforward. Daphne had seen plenty of

fakeness in the entertainment industry. Albertine’s smile was both beautiful and genuine.

This wasn’t the first time Daphne had met Albertine. After all, her former boss Flavia and Albertine were

very good friends. But strictly speaking, Daphne had never been this close to Albertine before.

Babur was next to Albertine, arms around her waist. They were both striking, like a match made in

heaven. Celebrities live in the spotlight, especially married ones. Every little move they make gets

blown out of proportion.

Those like Albertine and Babur, who are married for many years without a hint of scandal, are truly few

and far between.

Of course, Daphne, who loves gossip, naturally knew Albertine was Lionel’s ex-girlfriend.

Just as Daphne was thinking about how to handle any awkwardness, Albertine suddenly let go of her

husband’s hand. “Lion, I missed you! Come here, give me a húg!” She ran over to Lionel, giving him a

big hug.

Albertine completely disregarded Daphne, and gave Lionel a big hug.

While Lionel was making sure Albertine wasn’t hurt, he chuckled, “Your husband is the director of my

new movie. Tini, you might get me fired!”

Upon hearing Lionel’s words, Albertine immediately let go of Lionel and turned to Babur, “Really?”

“Come here, then I’ll tell you.” Babur smiled slightly.

Albertine happily returned to Babur’s side, “What’s the setting for the new film? Early 20th century?

Contemporary? Sci-fi?”

“I’ll show you the script when we get home.”

“That’s not important. Who’s the lead actress? Is she pretty? What’s her height, weight,

measurements? Was she a model?” Albertine asked unabashedly.

Babur stroked Albertine’s hair indulgently, “Why are you asking so specifically?”

“I know Lion likes models with long legs. You should arrange for more intimate scenes between Lion

and the lead actress! Maybe they’ll have chemistry!” Albertine spoke bluntly.

Babur, hearing Albertine’s words, turned his gaze to Daphne, who had been ignored by everyone.

Albertine followed Babur’s gaze to Daphne. She was surprised to find another woman standing next to

Lionel. Her surprised expression made Daphne a little embarrassed. Daphne awkwardly smiled, “Hello,

Mr. Farrell, Ms. Albertine.”

Albertine looked at Lionel, then at Daphne, finally landing on Daphne’s legs, wrapped in an evening

gown. She asked, “How high are your heels, they are gorgeous!”

Daphne didn’t expect her to ask such a question.

Julie, standing with Kieran in the distance, watched it all unfold.

Hearing Albertine’s question, Julie couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She turned to Kieran with

innocent eyes and asked, “So, Mr. Lionel really has a thing for girls with long legs, huh?”

“Do I look like Lionel to you?” Kieran retorted.

Julie got his point: I’m not Lionel, so how the hell would I know if he digs girls with long legs?

Julie shrugged, “But isn’t Mr. Dylan from the same university as Mr. Lionel? You’re buddies with Mr.

Dylan, so I thought you might know.”

Dylan was a college student abroad. Julie had heard about this from Dylan, so that’s why she asked

Kieran.

Much to her surprise, Kieran responded, “I went to the same school as Elliot too, but I didn’t know he

had a crush on you. Is that weird?”

Julie bit back her anger and shot Kieran a dirty look. His way of speaking was always a mix of hilarious

and infuriating.

She turned her head to look at Daphne, who was busy lifting her skirt and telling Albertine frankly, “My

legs really aren’t that long.”

Albertine was amused by Daphne’s blunt character. She patted Daphne’s shoulder cheerfully, “You are

beautiful! Besides, there’s always high heels!”

Daphne was sure that wasn’t meant to be comforting…

Truth be told, Daphne’s legs weren’t short, but compared to the models Mr. Lionel used to date, she

was indeed a bit lacking.

She awkwardly replied to Albertine, “Well…I’m afraid I’ll trip in heels. And Mr. Lionel and I are…just

friends!!”

Albertine gave Lionel a quick glance, as if she had figured something out. She said to Daphne with a

smile, “Friendship can evolve into something deeper, you know!”

Innocent Julie turned to Kieran and asked, “What can friendship evolve into?”

“Love.”

“Hmm” she shrugged.

From a distance, Daphne heard Albertine’s words and knew she had misunderstood their relationship.

She quickly waved her off and explained, “I only have pure friendship for him, nothing more.”

“I get it! You’re more than friends, but not lovers, right?” Albertine nodded knowingly.

Daphne quickly denied, “He and I will never be lovers!”

Babur pulled Ms. Albertine to his side, “Alright, stop scaring the girl.”

Daphne was indeed scared. If she had known she’d not only be attending a charity event with Mr.

Lionel but also fácing his ex-girlfriend, she would’ve never agreed.

Fortunately, Mr. Farrell soon whisked Albertine away.

Daphne finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Tini wouldn’t bite. Why do you look like you’re about to be eaten alive?” Mr. Lionel chuckled.

Daphne glanced at Lionel and seriously replied, “Mr. Lionel, there’s something I’ve been wanting to

ask…”

“What is it?” Lionel leaned in closer, listening carefully to Daphne.

Unusually flustered, Daphne blushed and quickly blurted out, “Don’t you think the way you interact with

your ex is a bit…”

Daphne was just hinting. Wasn’t it strange that Mr. Lionel and Ms. Albertine were so intimate in front of

her current husband, calling each other nicknames too?

Lionel gave a soft laugh, “And how do you think one should interact with an ex? Completely cut ties?

Pretend to be polite when you meet?”

Daphne thought to herself, well, isn’t that the case?

Just as she was wondering how to respond, Lionel suddenly said, “In our life journey, we meet many

people. People come, people go. Those who stay in your life may not necessarily be your lovers, but

they’re people you once cared about. Your feelings for them could. be friendship, or family love…”

He thought his reflection would provoke Daphne’s deep thought or understanding. However, he didn’t

expect Daphne to suddenly ask, “So, you and Ms. Albertine never had sex?”