Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 255

“Mr. Hernandez, Amanda is on her way home.” Noah was on the phone with a hushed tone.

Kieran held the phone tightly, his brow furrowed. “Where is she?”

“I reckon she’ll be at the airport in about twenty minutes.” Noah glanced at the time and asked, “Should I pick her up, or would you rather…”

“No need, I’ll go.” Kieran said, ending the call and grabbing his car keys.

“What’s up?” Julie asked, following Kieran.

“Amanda’s coming home.” Kieran replied.

Amanda…

Years ago, thanks to a scheme by Sansa, Kieran was drugged. The next morning, Julie and Kieran woke up together in a hotel. They were discovered by everyone, including Amanda.

Amanda only had one son, Morton Hernandez, who was also the father of Kieran and Lucian. The relationship between Amanda and Morton was reportedly rocky, largely because Morton wanted to marry Georgiana, which Amanda strongly disapproved of.

Their relationship further deteriorated when Morton insisted on marrying Georgiana, almost leading to a total estrangement.

As everyone knew, the Hernandez family went bankrupt because of Georgiana, who had a psychotic break, killed Morton, and would have killed Kieran too if Lucian hadn’t returned home just in time.

Amanda always had a grudge against Georgiana, but Kieran and Lucian were still Morton’s blood. So, after her only son’s death, she had complicated feelings towards Kieran and Lucian.

Actually, Julie’s marriage into the Hernandez family was largely due to Sansa’s advance planning. Sansa threatened Amanda that if she didn’t let Kieran marry Julie, she would ruin Kieran’s reputation.

Eventually, Amanda agreed to let Julie marry Kieran. On the night of Julie and Kieran’s wedding registration, Amanda flew to Canada. Later, news came that Amanda’s husband had passed away in Canada, and since then, Amanda had been living there.

So, to be precise, Julie and Amanda had only met a handful of times.

The first time Julie met Amanda was at Morton and Georgiana’s funeral. The second time was when she was found with Kieran. The third time was at the funeral of Amanda’s husband. The last time was at Lucian’s funeral after his plane crash.

So, they had met four times, three of which were at funerals.

Though Julie didn’t know much about Amanda, she was very clear about one thing… Amanda didn’t like her.

Kieran didn’t seem to plan on having Julie accompany him to the airport, but he also didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home.

Just as he was about to turn around and ask Julien for help, Julie grabbed his hand and said, “Let’s go together!”

“To the airport?” Kieran asked.

Julie nodded. “Isn’t getting along with the elders a basic requirement to become Mrs. Hernandez?”

“The elders of our family… might not be easy to get along with.” He said gently, stroking the soft skin of her palm.

She shrugged, smiling. “I’ll try not to fight with Amanda.”

Twenty minutes later, Whispering Pines International Airport.

Julie and Kieran stood in the VIP passage, tightly holding each other’s hands.

A few minutes later, Basil emerged from the VIP passage, bowing respectfully towards Kieran and Julie. “Greetings, Mr. Hernandez, Mrs. Abraham.”

Following Basil was Amanda.

Despite being in her seventies, Amanda looked very well preserved. Her hair was white, but she didn’t dye it. Time didn’t bring her vicissitudes, but elegance. Dressed in a black dress with a white shawl, she carried a deep blue handbag, and white pearl earrings simply decorated her.

Seeing Kieran and Julie holding hands outside, she handed her bag over. Kieran reached out to take it, but Amanda handed it to Julie.

Julie smiled and accepted.

“Miss me already?” Kieran moved forward to give Amanda a hug.

Julie smiled at Amanda and said, “Grandma.”

“Call me Amanda.” Amanda responded coldly.

Just as Julie was feeling awkward, Kieran put his arm around Julie and said to Amanda with a smile, “Amanda, our car is waiting outside. Let’s go home and catch up?”

Using a slightly teasing tone, Kieran cleverly conveyed his stance towards Julie by calling Amanda by her first name.

“You’re just like Morton!” Amanda responded coldly.

As Basil accompanied Amanda out of the airport, Julie whispered to Kieran, “What did Amanda mean by that?”

“Morton cut ties with Amanda over Georgiana.” Kieran said, though he was smiling as he tapped her nose and led her outside.

Just as expected, Amanda didn’t ride with Kieran and Julie, but took a cab back to Noblewood Retreat.

Julie, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly turned to Kieran when they were almost home and said seriously, “I won’t let you break ties with Amanda

because of me!”

Kieran just chuckled.

They arrived home before Amanda.

When the cab reached Noblewood Retreat, Amanda got out of the car with Basil’s help. Shannon came out to greet them. The house was warm, and Amanda took off her shawl.

Shannon reached out to take it, but Amanda handed it to Julie instead, saying graciously, “Thanks for your help.”

Julie smiled and said, “No problem.”

“Julie, go get the phone from Noah.” Kieran sent Julie off and she complied, going off to find Noah.

Shannon got them the drink, and Amanda sat down on the sofa.

Amanda held her cup, her movements elegant and gentle..

“Julie is my wife, the mother of my adorable Ivan, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Do I not know who Julie is? Do you need to introduce her to me?” Amanda took a sip of her tea, then turned to Shannon, “Shannon, your tea skill seems to be lacking lately.”

Shannon laughed awkwardly but didn’t say anything. She knew the old lady was just making small talk.

In order to talk to Amanda, Kieran knelt in front of her, looking her in the eye, “Grandma…”

“You don’t need to defend her to me. As long as she does what she’s supposed to do, I won’t give her a hard time. I didn’t travel all this way to cause trouble. I came

to see Ivan.”

Julie came back with the phone from Noah, which was sealed in a plastic bag. When she walked into the living room, she saw Kieran kneeling in front of Amanda, apparently discussing something.

Just as Julie was hesitating whether to go over, Amanda asked her, “What’s wrong with the phone?”

“It got wet.” Kieran answered, taking the phone from Julie and casually putting it in his pocket.

Amanda put her cup down on the small table and said, “Shannon, the fruit tea you made isn’t at its best. Can Joyce make tea?”

“She can’t.” Kieran took the cup and raised an eyebrow at Amanda, “I’ll make you some.”

“…” Julie reached out to stop Kieran, but he gave her a reassuring look.

Kieran didn’t want Amanda to make things difficult for Julie. Just as Julie was about to let go, she heard Amanda say, “Let him go, let’s see what kind of tea he can make.”

Amanda patted the seat next to her, “Joyce, come sit.”

Amanda was being really friendly!

Julie sat down next to Amanda nervously. Her intuition told her that all this might be a strategy of being nice before being harsh.

Sure enough, as soon as she sat down, Amanda asked, “Can you peel an apple please?”

Julie reached out to grab the fruit knife, but Shannon had already picked up the knife and the apple, laughing, “It seems Ivan also likes apples. He even said he wanted to send a box of apples to Amanda in Canada. I heard the apples there are delicious…”

“Shannon, go check on the tea Kieran is making.” Amanda interrupted Shannon.

Shannon had no choice but to obey Amanda’s command, looking a little worried at Julie. Julie smiled and nodded at Shannon, and Shannon finally left for the kitchen, planning to ask Kieran to come out.

Amanda laughed, “I heard from Lucian before that you’re very good at pleasing people. It seems he was right.”

Julie managed a smile and reached for the fruit knife, ready to peel the apple. But Amanda suddenly told Julie, “I suddenly don’t want to eat it anymore. I’ve become picky now that I’m old.”

Julie didn’t get angry, just putting the knife down on the table.

Then she turned around, looking seriously at Amanda and said, “Amanda, I actually had a very happy childhood, but the way my parents died shocked me. My sister is now bedridden, in a vegetative state.

My mom told me that my grandma passed away before I was born. Although we haven’t met many times, from the moment I married Kieran, I knew you were my family. I also understand that I might not be the perfect granddaughter-in-law you envisioned…”

“How do you know?” Amanda coldly interrupted Julie.

Julie was taken aback and then smiled, asking Amanda, “So, am I the granddaughter-in-law you envisioned?”

Amanda coldly answered Julie, “No.”

Julie was silent for a moment, then laughed.

But she didn’t expect Amanda to suddenly say, “Although you’re not the daughter-in-law I envisioned, it doesn’t mean you can’t strive to be.”

At first, Julie didn’t take Amanda’s words to heart, until the next day when Kieran went to the company. Amanda suddenly took out two ties and asked her, “Do you know the difference between these two ties?”

Julie glanced at the two ties and said doubtfully, “Color? Style?”

“It’s the price and brand.” Amanda threw the ties to Julie, saying, “Do you know what your status is now?”

Julie laughed and replied, “To Kieran, I’m his wife. To lvan, I’m his mother. To you, I’m your granddaughter-in-law. I’m not sure what you mean by status?”

Amanda seemed satisfied with Julie’s answer.

She sat on the sofa, saying to Julie, “In the eyes of others, everything you say and do represents the Hernandez family. Like those two ties, you might first notice their colors and styles, but as a member of the Hernandez family, you should first pay attention to their prices and brands.”

Julie didn’t get what Amanda was trying to say, so she kept her mouth shut.

Amanda went on, “With the same material, same style, but with different brands, then the prices will be different, so will the status. Even the best knockoff is still just a knockoff, you get me?”

“Nope.” Julie answered very directly.

Amanda glanced at her helplessly.

Julie sat beside Amanda, speaking her mind, “I may not be the brightest, but I’ll be loyal to my love, I’ll try my best to be myself, and I’ll do all I can not to give him any trouble.”

“Joyce, if you want to be with Kieran, you need to be better.” Amanda suddenly put down her teacup, turning her head to look at Julie.

Through her rimless reading glasses, Amanda’s gaze appeared cold but resolute.

“Be better?” Julie frowned, repeating it under her breath.

“Basil, bring him in.” Amanda suddenly spoke to Basil, who was standing at the door.

Julie followed Basil’s gaze, only to see a man in a black sports T-shirt, looking very fit, making even the tall Basil seem short in comparison.

Basil walked over to Julie and Amanda with Bolt, “Mrs. Abraham, this is Bolt, the youngest martial art champion, and freestyle fighting champion.”

Upon hearing this introduction, Julie instinctively took a defensive stance, stepping back a bit, looking at Bolt, then glancing at Amanda with puzzlement. She wondered why Amanda brought Bolt here.

“Joyce.” Amanda suddenly called Julie.

Julie looked at Amanda, listening to her say, “I hope you won’t be a burden to Kieran. Before you think about protecting him, you must learn how to protect yourself.” Amanda turned to Basil, “Teach her how to protect herself.”

Basil bowed to Julie, saying respectfully, “Mrs. Abraham, I might be a bit rude.”

“What are you going to do?” Julie quickly stepped back, feeling that she might be hit by Basil soon.

As Basil nodded, Bolt took a step forward, grabbing Julie’s collar…

“Amanda, what are you…” Noah and Shannon asked Amanda at the same time.

Amanda looked at Julie firmly, “I hope you won’t let me down.”

Then she turned to Noah and Shannon, “Don’t tell Kieran about this for now, got it?””

“But…”

“I won’t harm her.” After saying that, Amanda turned around and went upstairs.

Bolt led Julie directly into the music room, with Basil standing at the door like a doorman, preventing Noah and Shannon from approaching.

Screams came from the music room, the sound was piercing.

Simpo Co.

Kieran was still worried about Julie and Amanda at home. Although he knew Amanda wouldn’t really hurt Julie, he dialed Julie’s number anyway.

But the one who answered the phone was Amanda.

“Can’t even go a few hours without meeting Julie? You wanna keep her by your side all the time?” Amanda’s voice didn’t sound too pleased, but she wasn’t really angry either.

“Where’s Joyce?” Kieran asked.

“She’s in the bathroom, call back later.” Amanda said, then hung up, heading towards the music room.

Basil and Amanda opened the door together, seeing the room once filled with a piano was now taken over by various equipment.

At the moment, under Bolt’s guidance, Julie was doing strength training.

Although Amanda was in her seventies, she was still robust, even able to drive herself. She took Julie’s phone in her hand, “Kieran called, do you know how to answer him?”

Julie took the phone, barely holding back her emotions. A few minutes later, Kieran called again, Julie answered, Kieran’s gentle voice came from the other end, “Julie?”

“Mhm, it’s me.” Hearing Kieran’s voice, Julie felt a bit down, but she understood Amanda’s intentions.

Amanda was having her trained, although knowing her capabilities were limited, Amanda’s intentions were good.

Kieran’s concerned voice came from the other end, “Did Amanda give you a hard time?

“No, no.” Julie knew that Amanda wanted her to be more independent and not to cause Kieran any trouble. In the past, Kieran had placed himself in danger several times to save her.

Kieran sensed something off with Julie, so he asked, “What did Amanda make you do?”

Amanda was watching Julie intently, waiting for her reply. After thinking for a while, Julie said, “Amanda didn’t make me do anything. I just caught a cold, so I’m resting at home.”

Saying that, Julie pretended to sniffle, “I’m a bit sniffly right now”

“I’ll send Harding over to check on you.” Saying so, Kieran was about to hang up.

Amanda shook her head, so Julie said to Kieran, “No need, Amanda took me to the hospital for a checkup. I’ve already taken medicine and will be fine after some rest. I’ll wait for you to get off work, gotta go now, I need to rest.”

After hanging up the phone, Amanda seemed pleased. She took Julie’s phone, then said to Bolt, “Continue.” Bolt handed two dumbbells to Julie, starting to explain the importance and content of strength training. Julie was speechless.

Kieran was somewhat dubious about Julie’s words. He called Noah, but Noah said he was out shopping for Amanda. He called Shannon, but Shannon said he was at the supermarket preparing ingredients.

While surfing the internet, Dylan told Kieran, “Based on what Julie just said and how she reacted, I think she’s faking being sick. I bet Amanda made her do some heavy lifting.”

Dylan added, “But looking at how skinny Julie is, I really wonder what kind of heavy lifting she could actually do.”

Before he could finish, he received a call from Payne. After the call, Dylan turned to Kleran and said, “It’s confirmed, there were no fingerprints on your water-damaged phone. There’s also no sign of any

virus intrusion. But Payne checked the records from the information department, and it turns out that the message was indeed sent to Julien from your phone yesterday.”

“The home surveillance system hasn’t been altered or tampered with, but also, there are no traces,” Kieran said.

“That’s pretty slick,” Dylan analyzed, “Firstly, there’s no virus on the phone, which means someone physically entered your bedroom, took your phone from your bedside table and sent the message to Julien. Think about it, who could dodge all your security and cameras, waltz into your bedroom in broad daylight and get out without a hitch?”

Kieran looked serious.

Dylan continued, “And the content of the message was to tell Julien to rescue Julie at Feliz Gastro House. Your company is right across from Feliz, but the message was sent to Julien, who was said to be closer to Feliz than you were at the time. What does that imply?”

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“It implies that the person knew where Julien was, and also knew what the bad guys were planning to do to Julie. They also knew that Julien could handle the bad guys, and they wanted to protect Julie,” Kieran said.

Dylan clapped his hands and said, “Well, you’ve said it all. What can I add?”

“Why would someone risk breaking into my house to send a text from my phone, a text that could be sent from a burner phone? How did they know my phone was at home and not with me?”

The two questions Kieran raised made Dylan’s eyes light up, “So, the person is monitoring your movements? And they don’t want you to know who they are, so they used your phone to send the

message…”

Dylan paused and shook his head, “No, that doesn’t make sense. If they didn’t want you to discover their identity, wouldn’t it be safer to use a burner phone?” “Exactly,” Kieran looked at Dylan and put his phone on the table, “So, they might not only be hiding from us, but also from others. They could easily break into a luxury house, find a phone, know Julien’s location, and know the bad guys’ detailed plan, but they saved Julie. Who do you think this person could be?”