Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 24
Thankfully, possibly due to Raymon’s influence, today’s front page news in Whispering Pines didn’t include any of her and Elliot’s
engagement news but was all about Kieran clearing up the rumors about his own marriage.
On the flip side, Simpo Co.’s PR department immediately got on the ball, slapping lawsuits on those entertainment magazines
that first reported his marriage news with Bertha.
The news that Kieran had a previous wife named Joyce was also thrown into the limelight.
The whole thing suddenly got way more complicated and messy.
Julie switched off her phone, tossing aside all the trivial news, and made her way to the job interview location.
She thought finding a job in Whispering Pines would be a piece of cake, given the influx of people moving to the city for work.
She couldn’t possibly struggle to find even an ordinary job, right? But the big city reality–checked her. She was way too naive.
She tried everything, from high–paying to low–paying jobs. But all she got was a string of polite rejections.
Elliot somehow got her number and called her just when she was feeling a bit blue and sitting by the roadside.
After seeing the unknown number, Julie thought she had landed a job and got all excited, until she heard Elliot’s familiar voice on
the other end. Turn
around*
Surprised, Julie turned and saw Elliot in a casual suit, standing on the other side of the street right behind her.
They both held their phones, looking at each other across the street.
Not until the green light lit up and the cars stopped, did Julie, still clutching her phone, snap out of it. Meanwhile, Elliot crossed
the street towards her. His pristine white shoes looked particularly good on the zebra crossing. Julie slowly put down her phone
as her eyes fixed on the man walking towards
her.
Just as she was about to turn around, to her surprise, Elliot embraced her in front of everyone.

Suddenly, there was a symphony of honking.
The traffic lights had changed, but a silver Porsche didn’t move an inch, causing a long line of cars behind it to start honking.
Inside the car, Karl, sitting in the passenger seat, looked at Kieran in the backseat through the rear–view mirror but didn’t say a
word.
Without Kieran’s order, the driver didn’t dare take any action.
Kieran’s gaze was on the scene outside the window, his eyes seemingly unfocused. But in reality, his gaze was all on the
embracing couple.
Julie didn’t expect Elliot to be so forward. The moment he embraced her, she pushed him away without hesitation.
Finally, Kieran’s calm voice rang out in the car. “Drive.”
With the Porsche starting, the honking finally stopped.
“Is everything arranged? Kieran’s handsome and profound face looked very serious.
Karl nodded and said, “Mr. Hernandez, rest assured.”
The Porsche drove past Julie.
Julie, who had just pushed Elliot away, looked at him calmly as if he were a stranger and said, “Mr. Sanches, don’t be so friendly.
Our way of greeting is saying hello, not embracing.”
“Don’t act like we’re strangers; after all, I’m your future partner.” Elliot’s mouth curled up, revealing a naughty smile.
“Mr Sanches, you’re from a good background and well–educated; do you really have to choose me?” Julie couldn’t help but
laugh at all this, so she turned
and left
Elliot quickly followed, noticed the job application in her hand, and asked, “Looking for a job?”
“Yep Julie answered politely.

“My company is hiring; want to give it a go?” Elliot took the job application from Julie’s hand and said so with a joyful smile.