Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 309

Julie made sure the head chef at Feliz Gastro House had whipped up a nutritious lunch for Amanda. She had just stepped into the restaurant, planning to head to the kitchen, when she noticed the usually bustling dining area was eerily empty.

Grabbing a passing waiter, she asked, “What’s the deal here? Is the joint closing down for a makeover or something?”

Recognizing the boss, the waiter quickly replied, “Oh, the place has been booked for a private event today, at noon.”

Julie nodded. “Alright, carry on then!” Whoever had the cash to book out Feliz Gastro House during prime time must have deep pockets, she thought. Heading to the kitchen to grab the lunch, Julie found the chefs in a frenzy of activity. The head chef handed her the prepared meal, and she grabbed his arm for a quick question, “Is the guest who booked the place hosting a crowd? I don’t see anyone out there, yet the kitchen’s in overdrive.”

“Not sure, but they ordered one of everything from the menu. Could be a spy from the bistro next door,” the head chef joked. “Really?” Julie chuckled at the thought of such an extravagant undercover operation.

She handed the meal to a waiter, instructing, “Take this to room 202 at the Tranquil Care Hospital VIP ward. And get me the manager.” “Manager’s busy with the guests,” the waiter informed her.

“Where are they?” she inquired.

He pointed upstairs. Julie nodded and sent him on his way with the meal. She then headed up.

The staff was clustered on the second floor, enjoying the rare quiet moment. The service crew had almost blocked the staircase, buzzing with excitement.

“He’s so handsome, like an actor, right?”

“Never seen this actor before. But it’s not just about looks, it’s the aura! This gentleman’s refined elegance is just…”

“It’s all about the money. He must be rich!”

“Am I the only one who noticed his broody but devastatingly handsome aide?”

“Is he really that good-looking?” Julie edged closer behind one of the waitresses and asked softly.

“Oh, yes!” they all agreed enthusiastically.

“And compared to Mr. Hernandez?”

“They are different types! You can’t compare their vibes. They’re both handsome in their own way.”

“But Mr. Hernandez is taken, remember… The waitress abruptly stopped as she turned and realized Julie had been the one inquiring. They immediately muted themselves.

Julie sighed, feeling a little helpless.

Why are you all at the stairs? We need this path clear for service, Julie said with a wave of her hand. “Scatter.”

The waitresses dispersed, and Julie sneaked a peek at the table that had captivated her staff. The mysterious guest that had booked the entire place had piqued her interest.

The plump manager was in her way, obstructing the view of the man behind him. Julie could only see the high-quality fabric of his navy suit and the top two undone buttons of his dark shirt, revealing exquisite cufflinks, no doubt expensive.

Realizing her own curiosity was amusing, she shook her head with a smile and decided to leave. She trusted her smooth-talking manager to handle the

VIP.

But as Julie turned to go, she heard a familiar voice call out, “Patriot.”

She froze. Hallucinations, it must be. She was about to vanish quietly when she noticed a pair of gleaming leather shoes.

Looking up, there stood Kleist, his hair perfectly coiffed. He gestured toward the table, “Our master is calling for you, Ms. Patriot.”

“Sorry, the boss doesn’t dine in with customers,” Julie replied with a forced smile. She wasn’t in the mood for such encounters, especially not with Kleist, who once had her at gunpoint.

Kleist blocked her path. From the table, Simon’s cool voice commanded attention, “Patriot, won’t you come and play the gracious host?”

Julie recalled her own words, “I’m called Patriot because both my mom and dad are super patriotic. It’s a name I got stuck with, and though I think it’s a bit cheesy, my friends just call me Patriot.”

Now aware of Simon’s true identity, Julie felt less intimidated. So, with newfound boldness, she approached the table.

Kleist was gentlemanly, pulling out a chair for her. She took a seat, turned to the manager with a smile, and declared, “Put today’s meal on my tab.

The manager was visibly stunned, taking a moment to process her request.

Simon leaned back, his expression indifferent, “So, this is your way of treating me to dinner?”

“It’s a small thanks for blocking that snake for me,” Julie replied with a grin. “I have to repay my debt before I can square off with you, especially since you’ve had a gun to my head.”

Unfazed by her comment, Simon simply told Kleist, “Then let’s have the menu twice over.”

Julie just shook her head at his lack of modesty. Such waste, she thought.

“Do you understand the work that went into the food on your plate? Every bite was earned through blood, sweat, and tears.” Julie said.

09:38

Simon shook his head, “I’m not familiar with it.”

Julie was about to explain when he continued, “But it doesn’t seem to concern me, since I’m just being treated, right?”

Julie was speechless. She just looked at him, no longer speaking.

He gestured for Kleist, who leaned in to hear his hushed words. Julie, seated across from them, couldn’t make out what they were whispering.

After receiving his instructions, Kleist promptly left the room.

Now, it was just the two of them on the upper floor of the house.

Julie stood up, “Well, I should be going…”

“Sansa…” Simon suddenly said the name.

Sansa? Julie froze mid-rise, caught in an awkward half-squat.

She played dumb, “What’s that?”

“Your sister’s name,” he reminded her.

Julie plunked back down, “Of course I know it’s my sister’s name! You know Sansa?”

“Not personally.” He cut into his steak with elegance and spoke, “I once set up a charity fund for special cases, and due to an incompetent subordinate, the funds were mistakenly sent to your sister.”

“And?”

“You and Canary are good friends, aren’t you?” he probed.

Julie replied, “What’s your point?”

–

“Because of this little fund mix-up, Canary traced it all the way back to me.” He sipped his red wine, “I have a little warning for her – ‘know when to stop.”

So, they couldn’t find Julien, and now they were coming to her? Was Julien digging too deep, causing the young master to be displeased?

Julie nodded, “Oh, I get it now.”

Julie left the Feliz Gastro House and immediately felt the air clear around her.

After a few unexpected experiences, Julie was extremely alert even while standing on the sidewalk. She made her way to the towering Simpo Co. skyscraper and took the elevator to the executive floor. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

As she stepped inside, the employees of the executive office greeted her with beaming smiles, “Thank you, my lady.”

Wait, what? Julie was puzzled and about to ask when the elevator doors opened again.

More employees entered, and she held her tongue.

Arriving at the executive floor, as soon as she stepped out, another person greeted her with a smile, “Thank you, my lady.”

Julie was flummoxed.

Tina passed by, nodding at Julie, “Thank you…”

“Enough with the thanks,” Julie finally spoke up, asking Tina, “Thank me for what?”

“The steak, of course!” Tina gave a thumbs up, “It’s delicious, straight from Feliz Gastro House, top quality as always.”

“What steak?” Julie expressed utter confusion.

Just then, Kieran stepped out of his office and casually asked, “The steak wasn’t sent by you?”

Julie shook her head, “Nope, I just came from Feliz Gastro House but I didn’t send any…

“The restaurant staff from Feliz Gastro House delivered them, one for each person in the executive office. Each meal came with an assortment of appetizers and drinks. They said it was a treat from you,

a token of appreciation for the staff!” Tina explained.

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Julie frowned slightly and forced an awkward smile, “I see!”

“See what?” Kieran inquired.

Julie pulled Kieran into the office and closed the door before revealing, “That steak, it was Simon who had Kleist send it over in my name.”

Mr. Hernandez, silent as ever, glanced at the half-eaten steak on his desk. After several seconds of silence, he strode to the door, plate in hand.

Tina, eavesdropping by the door, nearly got á face full of steak.

Kieran handed the plate to Tina, then with a ‘bang’ shut the door, sat down on the sofa with Julie, and asked, “What’s going on?”