Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 202

Daphne, on her rare day off, finally had the chance to sleep in. But her beauty sleep was interrupted by

a phone call. On the other end was Nigel Ted, her blind date. The gentleman who’d left quite an

impression on her.

They’d swapped WhatsApp details already and Nigel knew she had a few days off work, so he called

bright and early to invite her out to lunch. Considering their mutual good impressions, and Daphne

feeling like it was about time she got a boyfriend, she happily agreed.

She slipped into a nude fishtail maxi, paired with a beige coat. After applying a full face of makeup and

choosing her favorite pair of heels, she grabbed her handbag and left her apartment.

But she sprained her ankle on the first floor because…

“What are you doing here?” Daphne couldn’t hide her surprise as she saw Lionel, sitting across from

her mom. She quickly steadied herself on the staircase railing, glancing at the TV show playing in the

living room. It was Lionel’s movie. She looked at the TV, back to Lionel, rubbed her eyes and jokingly

asked her mom, “Did he step out from the TV?”

“What are you talking about?Stop talking nonsense!” Edda quickly waved her off. “Come sit down. Mr.

Lionel has been waiting for you!”

The only thing Daphne wanted to know was why Lionel was at her house.

Lionel seemed to have read her mind. He turned to Daphne and said, “You left your keys at my place

last time. I happened to be filming nearby today, so I thought I’d drop them off.”

So that’s why you had to knock last night when you got home! You lost

Daphne looked innocently at the keys in Lionel’s hands. No wonder she Edda said with a sigh. “Why

didn’t you lose yourself too?”

Ouldn’t find them anywhere yesterday. She’d left them at his place.

Edda ushered her to sit down, her eyes beaming with joy.

he was a huge fan of Lionel. Ever since she saw him on the entertainment news saying he and Daphne

were good friends, Edda had been hoping that Daphne would invite Lionel over. She even wanted a

few signed photos.

Having a mom like this left Daphne helpless. But since she didn’t live at home, Edda had no choice but

to give up on her dream. But what she never expected was that Lionel would come to her door. How

did he even know her address?

After mentally cursing Lionel a hundred times, Daphne forced a smile and said, “Thank you.”

“How did your keys end up at Mr. Lionel’s place?” Edda asked with a puzzled look.

Lionel sitting opposite didn’t seem to want to help explain, but rather seemed to enjoy Daphne’s

discomfort.

Daphne thought of countless excuses in her mind. Just as she was about to use work as an

excuse, Julie called her at the right moment.

Daphne immediately bolted to the balcony with her phone, like she was escaping, to answer Julie’s

call.

Back in the living room, Lionel seemed to be hosting a fan meeting for Edda. Edda glanced at Daphne

on the balcony and said to Lionel with a smile, “Did you and Daphne plan to go out together? She

usually doesn’t wear those heels unless it’s a special occasion.”

Lionel glanced in Daphne’s direction and said meaningfully, “Special occasion?”

“Never mind about her. Let’s talk about you. I heard you’re releasing a new single?”

Lionel responded with a bright and polite smile, nodding, “Yes, I have plans for that.”

“That’s great! Daphne used to love boys who could sing when she was a kid. There was a boy in her

class who could sing really well. She always said she would marry him when they grew up.” Edda

recalled Daphne’s childhood, her smile sweetening.

Daphne’s dad, Alaric Flores, came out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit and smiled at Edda, “Stop

making things up. Mr. Lionel already said on TV that he and Daphne are just friends! Don’t spread

rumours.”

“I forgot!” Edda glared at Alaric, motioning him to shut up.

Alaric could only warmly look at Lionel and say, “Have some fruit. My wife is pretty straightforward. I

hope you won’t mind, Mr. Lionel.”

Lionel smiled, “I like straightforward people.”

“Yeah, Daphne is pretty straightforward too. Mr. Lionel, she must have upset you quite a bit, huh?”

Edda laughed.

Indeed, Daphne knew how to get on his nerves, but Lionel still smiled, “Mrs. Flores, please, there’s no

need for formalities. You can just call me by my name.”

Hearing this, Edda was overjoyed, “Then, can I call you Lionel?”

“Of course.”

“Lionel, how did you and Daphne meet?” Edda asked curiously.

Thinking back to when he first met Daphne, Lionel smiled and said, “At a friend’s wedding.”

“A wedding?” Daphne, who just got off the phone, walked in and heard Lionel’s conversation with her

mom. She’d only attended Flavia’s wedding. When Julie and Kieran got married, there was no wedding

because…

“You mean Flavia’s wedding?” Daphne excitedly ran over to Lionel and asked. She completely forgot

about the impression she was making on her parents by sitting so close to Lionel.

Until Alaric, sitting across from her, suddenly coughed twice, she snapped back to reality and like a

spring, immediately bounced away from Lionel.

Edda not only didn’t mind, she even seemed pretty pleased. She took the initiative to remind Daphne,

“Weren’t you supposed to go out with Lionel? Make sure to come back early.”

“I didn’t make a date with him. I’m meeting…” The name Nigel got stuck in Daphne’s throat as she

suddenly noticed the other three in the room watching her with a mix of anticipation and caution.

Finally, Alaric broke the silence. He asked Daphne, ‘Are you going on a date with Nigel, the guy your

mom set you up with?”

Daphne kept silent.

Alaric said, “I’ve checked out that lad. He’s a good guy. You should seize this opportunity. You’re not

getting any younger. If you think he’s a fit, go ahead and date

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him. I heard from your mom yesterday, Julie’s son is already grown up. If you guys hit it off, you should

bring him home for us to meet, let your mom and I give you some feedback.”

Even though this was directed at Daphne, Edda felt he was laying it on a bit thick. After all, Lionel was

still here! And he’s not usually such a busybody!

Edda shot Alaric a glare, then turned to Daphne and said, “You have to be careful when choosing a

boyfriend. There’s no need to rush it.”

Daphne gawked at Edda. Was this the same mom who was always nagging her to find a boyfriend,

now telling her not to rush?

“Why not hurry? Invite Nigel over for lunch today. Since Mr. Lionel is here, as a good friend, you should

also consider his opinion.” Alaric said.

This pissed Edda off. She sneakily pinched Alaric behind the sofa, then reluctantly smiled at Daphne,

“Don’t listen to your dad. Lionel is so busy, how could he have time to help you pick a boyfriend?”

Daphne agreed with this. She turned to look at Lionel as if to ask ‘why are you sticking your nose in

this?’

“Lord Lion, aren’t you shooting a movie nearby today? Where exactly? Meadowview Park? I was just

about to go out. Maybe I could give you a ride?” Daphne kindly

offered.

Unexpectedly, Lionel just leaned back on the sofa and casually said, “I’ve already finished shooting.”

Daphne was speechless.

Lionel calmly looked at Daphne and said, “Your parents are right, you should be careful when choosing

a boyfriend. No one unworthy deserves you. What does he look like?”

Hearing Lionel say this, Edda and Alaric exchanged glances. Edda then finally smiled at Daphne,

“Don’t you have his picture? Show it to Lionel, see what he thinks.”

Daphne weakly glanced at Lionel. He was still calmly looking at her, as if waiting for her to show the

picture.

“Why are you still dawdling? Call Nigel right now and invite him over for lunch.” Alaric seemed

particularly keen on inviting Nigel over today.

Daphne thought, if Nigel really came over for lunch, what would she do? So she pretended to check

her phone, then looked disappointed, “Oh no! Nigel just messaged me on WhatsApp, he has to work

overtime at the office, so our date is cancelled.”

“Oh?” The usually silent Lionel suddenly chimed in. He raised an eyebrow, his arm casually thrown

over the back of the sofa, and said, “That’s a shame.”

Daphne made a face, turned away from Lionel, and apologized to Nigel on WhatsApp, saying she

couldn’t make it today.

She thought she’d be safe as long as she didn’t show the picture, but Edda somehow found one and

handed it to Lionel sitting next to her. Lionel leisurely took the photo, then gave Daphne a deep look…

Daphne thought: I’m done for…