Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 160

Daphne just straight-up steered the convo to that topic. Mr. Lionel gave Daphne a deep look, went

silent for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and patted Daphne’s forehead lightly. “What’s your

idea of love?”

Idea of love?

Daphne, a woman nearly thirty, had never really thought about her own view on love.

She cracked a grin, looking at Mr. Lionel. “Mr. Lionel, next time ask me about my money views! Love’s

too complicated, I wouldn’t know how to answer.”

Lionel had already expected her reaction. His eyes were filled with amusement.

For some reason, when Daphne saw Lionel’s smile, she felt a bit uneasy.

*Daphne.” Lionel suddenly said.

Daphne looked at Lionel in surprise. “Yes?”

“Don’t call me Mr. Lionel.” Lionel said.

Daphne was taken aback. She thought carefully before saying, “If I don’t call you by your name, then

what should I call you?”

“We’re friends. Mr. Lionel sounds too formal.”

Daphne said impatiently, “But you appear in front of the media that day…”

She hadn’t finished her sentence when she saw Mr. Lionel’s face suddenly become serious. Daphne

almost forgot that Mr. Lionel had helped her that day.

She quickly laughed and apologized, “Lord Lion!”

Although this was Daphne’s unconsidered choice, Lionel seemed to be quite satisfied with this title.

He even turned his head to look at Daphne, asking with seeming depth, “What should I call you?”

Was he joking?

Daphne answered directly, “Just call me Daphne. I think it sounds quite friendly already. My mom said

there’s a lot of thought put into my name.”

“Oh?” Lionel seemed very interested. “What’s so thoughtful about it?”

Daphne’s name didn’t seem to have anything special about it, Lionel wanted to hear how Daphne

would explain it.

Daphne confidently started explaining to Lionel, “Daphne, I think the name is very nice! Daphne is a

name of Greek origin, and it carries a beautiful meaning. This name is often linked to nature and plants,

bringing to mind a sense of freshness, natural beauty, and grace. In Greek mythology, Daphne is also

the name of a goddess who, while fleeing from the god Apollo, transformed into a laurel tree,

Consequently, this name can also be associated with myths and legends. Anyway, Daphne is a name

that exudes a poetic and natural charm, conveying a gentle and serene feeling! Maybe this name could

remind you of the beauty of nature, sweet fruit, delicious dessert…”

“Is that so?” Lionel’s eyes seemed to mock, and he smiled faintly at her. “I’ve never thought this way.”

It’s normal that he hasn’t associated the name Daphne with some sweet dessert before, but his current

expression looked like he was telling her that he want to taste this “Daphne” dessert now!

A picture floated into Daphne’s mind, that is, she turned into a Daphne cake, and then was eaten by

Ljonel, one bite at a time.

She felt extremely embarrassed…

Daphne’s smile became rigid.

And Lionel still seemed to deliberately say, “well, you have quite the creative imagination. Hope I can

taste this kind of fresh and sweet dessert like that.”

Daphne’s smile became even more rigid. She always felt that Lionel had ulterior motives when he

spoke to her.

She thought carefully and felt it might be because before the last interview, Lionel had said she was like

Ms. Albertine and asked her if she had a boyfriend.

Thinking of this, Daphne seriously said to Lionel, “By the way, Mr. Lionel…”

Before she could finish, she felt Lionel’s stern look.

So she quickly corrected herself, “Lord Lion, thank you for accepting my interview and giving me the

opportunity to work with you. I’m also very honored to be able to accompany you to the banquet today.

My boyfriend even said that it’s the greatest honor of my life to be able to accompany you to the

banquet!”

“Your boyfriend is really generous.”

Actually, Daphne was just reminding Lionel that she had a boyfriend, so she shouldn’t have any private

relationship with him, a person of such high status.

But he actually praised her boyfriend for being generous! Indeed, which normal boyfriend would allow

his girlfriend to be taken away by a handsome and rich man, and even feel honored?

Daphne silently mocked herself. She forced a smile and explained, “What I mean is, my boyfriend is

also a fan of yours.”

“Is that so? Then I should find an opportunity to meet him.” After speaking, Lionel smiled at Daphne. “I

like to meet with my fans.”

Daphne silently cursed in her heart, “You have so many fans, why do you have to meet my boyfriend?

The point is, where can she get a boyfriend?”

Just as Daphne was scolding herself for being stupid, she heard Lionel suddenly say happily, “Elliot, I

thought you weren’t coming.”

Elliot?

Daphne looked up and saw that the person walking towards them was indeed Elliot.

More importantly, when Daphne looked up, she also saw Julie and Kieran side by side.

Daphne thought, it seemed that all the people she least wanted to see appeared today…

Elliot came to Lionel and smiled at him, “Here I am, right?”

“Did you come alone?” Lionel looked behind Elliot.

Hearing their conversation, Daphne knew they must be close friends.

Elliot laughed and responded to Lionel, “You brought a plus one today, does that make you think you

can make fun of me? When you and Albertine broke up, I didn’t make fun of you!”

It seems that the whole world knows about Lionel and Albertine’s past.

Lionel now looked very natural when he laughed. He laughed and said to Elliot, “You didn’t make fun of

me at the time because you were busy pursuing your first love abroad, and you had no time to care

about me.”

His first love…

Daphne was one of the few people who knew that Elliot had proposed to Julie. When Lionel mentioned

Elliot’s first love, Daphne instinctively looked at Julie and Kieran, and then…

Well, this is awkward…

Because Elliot followed Daphne’s gaze and spotted the picture-perfect couple, Julie and Kieran.

Regret washed over Daphne as she realized Julie and Kieran were now looking at her too.

Escape was no longer an option. She prayed for a polite hello between Julie and Elliot, followed by

them going about their separate lives. But alas, reality never lives up to expectations.

Elliot’s initial reaction to seeing Julie was shock, but he seemed to regain his composure quickly. A sigh

of relief escaped Daphne. To think that Elliot could still face Julie calmly after being rejected so firmly –

it was a good sign.

Just as Daphne was starting to feel relieved, she noticed the look in Elliot’s eyes as he looked at

Kieran…

It was a ‘one of us are going to die today’ kind of look…

In the world of love, the chosen one is never at fault. The third wheel is always the one to blame.

To Elliot, Kieran was the third wheel. And to Kieran, Elliot was. As these two supposed third wheels

locked eyes, the tension was palpable.

“Mr. Hernandez, can have a word with you?” Elliot asked Kieran straightforwardly.

Daphne felt her skin crawl. Was this a declaration of war? It had to be.

Regret hit Daphne again. She shot Julie a pleading look, but Julie was even more panicked, clueless

about what Elliot was planning…

To everyone’s surprise, Kieran agreed to Elliot’s request without hesitation, and they headed towards

the lounge together.

Lionel mumbled to himself, “What’s going on between Elliot and Mr. Hernandez?”

“Her, Daphne pointed at Julie instinctively.

Julie jumped. She knew both Kieran and Elliot were level-headed, but the idea of their emotions

spiraling was unsettling…

“I better go check on them!” As Julie got up to leave, she spotted Adeline Sanches in a stunning red

evening gown heading their way. Dragging her gown, she complained, “Have I shrunk? Or are all

designers dating janitors now?”

Daphne looked at Adeline, puzzled. “Why would you

“If not to please the janitors, why else would they design such long gowns? To sweep the floors?”

Adeline huffed.

Used to Adeline’s blunt humor, Julie chuckled.

Daphne didn’t know Adeline, but she heard Lionel laugh and say to her, “I thought Elliot came alone. I

didn’t expect you to be here.”

Spotting Lionel, Adeline in her beautiful gown gave him a small smile. “Darling, where’s Elliot?”

Lionel glanced at Julie next to Daphne, “Probably dueling with her husband, I guess. Or maybe they’re

just having a chat.”

Yeah, right. As if anyone would believe they’re just having a chat.