Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 214

“Mrs. Hernandez? Daphne’s not home?” Lionel, dressed in a beige coat and peering down at Julie,

politely removed his sunglasses to ask.

Julie called out to Daphne on the sofa, “Daphne, someone’s here for you.”

With that, she hurried over to Daphne, lightly nudging her and encouraging her with her eyes, “Don’t

chicken out!”

“What?” Daphne turned around to find Lionel heading towards her.

She immediately stood up, “Lord Lion? What brings you here?”

“Your mom just called me, said you’re not answering your phone or replying to texts. She’s worried

something happened to you. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d swing by to check if you’re still

breathing.”

Man, does he have a sharp tongue!

Daphne smiled, “Thanks for your concern, I’m fine. Can I walk you out?”

Julie thought to herself: Didn’t you say you wouldn’t back down?

“Daphne, he just got here and you’re sending him away? Go get your stuff. Kieran will be here soon.”

Julie directed Daphne with her eyes.

Lionel took the initiative to ask, “Are you heading out?”

“It’s my son’s birthday today, so we’re going to his party. By the way, Mr. Lionel, are you free? How

about coming with us?” Julie invited him.

Daphne quickly interjected, “Lord Lion is busy shooting all day! He probably doesn’t have time…”

“Actually, I’m off today. I’d be honored to attend Ivan’s birthday.” And just like that, Lionel accepted the

invitation.

As soon as Kieran pulled up, he saw Julie, Daphne, and sunglasses-clad Lionel standing at the door.

“Daphne, why don’t you take Mr. Lionel’s car?” Julie suggested, opening Kieran’s passenger door and

turning to Lionel, “Please take good care of Daphne, okay?”

“Mrs. Hernandez, rest assured, I’ll take good care of her.”

“Julie! Mr. Lionel is our guest! We can’t make him do things…” Before Daphne could finish, Julie had

already had Kieran drive off.

“Did Daphne and Lionel sleep together?” Kieran asked Julie while driving.

Julie nodded, then looked worriedly at Kieran, “I think Daphne and Mr. Lionel need to have a serious

talk, but… was it wrong of me to just throw her at him like that?

Should we turn back?”

Kieran slowed down, asking, “Why do you think it was wrong? Shouldn’t they have a serious talk?”

“No… I just feel, Mr. Lionel’s romantic history is a bit complicated…”

“You mean he’s not faithful.”

Kieran really got her. Julie nodded, “Do you think someone like Mr. Lionel would sincerely care for

Daphne?”

“You hope Lionel truly cares for Daphne, or else you wouldn’t let her be alone with him, right? If they

really need to talk, then you did the right thing. As for whether Lionel truly cares for Daphne, that’s

another discussion. But he’ll definitely bring Daphne safely home, that you can trust.” Kieran analyzed

seriously.

Julie thought about it and found Kieran’s words reasonable.

If this opportunity could give Daphne the courage to tell Lionel about her pregnancy, that would be

great. If she didn’t have the courage, that was okay too, because at least Lionel would safely get her to

their destination.

With this thought, Julie felt much calmer.

Daphne, who had promised not to back down, didn’t dare to say a word in Lionel’s car.

Until Lionel took the initiative to ask her, “Did you have a fight with your parents?”

Daphne shook her head, “No!”

“Then why did you suddenly disappear?”

“I felt like it.”

“Answer my question!”

Daphne went silent.

She gathered her courage to look at Lionel, “It’s my business. Lord Lion, you work hard every day! You

don’t need to worry about my personal affairs.”

“I’m not so busy that I can’t find time to care about you.” He said.

Daphne felt as if she had lost her freedom. She didn’t know what got into her, but she blurted out, “Why

do you care about ine? Do you think I’m an idiot?”

After saying that, she immediately covered her mouth and slapped herself.

Lionel suddenly looked at her seriously, asking, “Daphne, what am I to you?”

“You’re a movie star! A celebrity!”

“I mean, what am I to you?” He clarified.

Daphne was naturally quick-witted. She immediately answered without thinking, “You’re my idol!”

That’s all?” He pressed.

Daphne thought to herself, what else could he be? But her intuition told her that wasn’t a good

answer…

Before Daphne could answer again, Lionel suddenly locked his gaze on her face. While waiting for the

traffic light, he asked her seriously, “Do you want to know what you are to me?”

The concept of “a friend with benefits” flashed through Daphne’s mind. Of course, she didn’t have the

courage to say it out loud.

She didn’t have the courage to ask him such an ambiguous question either. She quietly pointed at the

traffic light ahead, saying, “You can drive now.

Lionel was completely ignored. He stepped on the gas in anger.

The car shot off like an arrow, scaring Daphne into gripping the handle tightly.

“Don’t you want to know how I see you?” Lionel asked.

At this point, Daphne was only worried about dying in a car crash!

She answered, “Aren’t we just friends?”

“Do you think ‘just friends’ would sleep together?” He retorted.

Daphne glared at him, “Who says they can’t? What’s wrong with friends getting a little intimate once in

a while?”

Lionel frowned at her, “Is that really what you think?”

Daphne swore that was not what she really thought!

“Then what am I supposed to understand? That you plan on marrying me, having kids with me? You

must be joking! I’d be drowned in your fans’ drool before I could even give birth!” Daphne felt utterly

dismayed.

Yet, Lionel in the driver’s seat, slowed down and chuckled…

“What are you laughing at?” Daphne felt brave all of a sudden but also like she was inches from death.

But to her surprise, Lionel reached over to pat her head, grinning, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. I won’t

let you drown in drool.”

Daphne was dumbstruck, completely at a loss for what he meant.

Until he spoke again, “Daphne, shall we try it?”

“Try what? No need! I know you’re a Casanova, but I prefer my men inexperienced. You’re not my

type!” Daphne blurted all this out in one breath.

Lionel didn’t get angry, instead, he laughed even harder, “You’ll have to make do. I might not be your

type, but my genes are top-notch. Our son would be a stunner and our daughter, a beauty.”

Hearing him mention children, Daphne was instantly fuming. She instinctively placed her hand on her

belly, asking, “Do you have any hereditary diseases?”

“What?” Lionel looked at Daphne, completely baffled.

Daphne quickly removed her hand from her stomach, “Like heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia…”

Lionel stared at Daphne, “Why are you asking this all of a sudden? Are you cursing my whole family to

die young?”

Daphne knew he misunderstood, so she quickly waved her hands, “No, no! I’m just… concerned about

you!”

“I don’t have any hereditary diseases or bad habits. Apart from my bedroom skills which you dislike, I

reckon I meet your standards in all other aspects.” Lionel said. Daphne thought it necessary to reject

him outright, so…

“Though what I’m about to say might sound arrogant, Lord Lion, I really don’t want to be someone

else’s substitute…”

“Who? Albertine?” Lionel chuckled lightly, patting Daphne’s head, “She’s one of a kind. You can’t

replace her.”

She’d rather he called her a substitute!

“Because with me, you’re unique. I can clearly distinguish between you and her.”

Daphne’s gloomy mood was instantly lifted by his words.

Daphne understood, “Lord Lion, is this sweet talk how you lure all those models?”

Lionel glared at Daphne. She had successfully ruined the flirty atmosphere they just established.

Daphne promptly changed the topic, smiling at Lionel, “Lord Lion, may I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead!”

“Among your many girlfriends… none has had an ‘accident’, right?” she asked gingerly.

“What accident?”

“You know… unexpected pregnancies…” she trailed off.

Lionel immediately hit the brakes. He pulled over, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, and turned

to Daphne in shock, “Are you pregnant?”