Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 47
Daphne was a Law School alum from Pinnacle University, same as Julie. Even though Daphne didn’t pursue a career in law,
she’d been making quite a splash in the magazine industry.
Years after leaving the campus, standing at the university’s gate, Julie and Daphne found themselves lost in memories of their
time there. She remembered how every year, when the kapok trees bloomed, you could smell a faint sweet scent as you passed
through the main gate.
The roads on both sides of the gate were lined with kapok trees. The scent of the flowers was light, but for some reason, Julie
had a soft spot for them. They painted the whole campus red.
Some said that when the kapok flowers bloom, it was the most beautiful time of the year. The dazzling red flowers stood proudly
on the branches, before quietly falling to the ground. They said that the way a kapok flower fell from a branch was quite brave,
because it maintained its shape, spinning as it fell. Julie didn’t believe this at first, so she once dragged Kieran under a kapok
tree, waiting for a flower to fall.
Looking back, it stung a little.
Walking along the campus road with Daphne, she saw someone had arranged the fallen flowers into a heart shape on the
ground.
She was reminded of Kieran’s words. He had said, “Joyce, the kapok flower symbolizes cherishing the people around you, and
cherishing the happiness you have”
Back then, Julie had nodded in a daze, joyfully responding. “You are my happiness.”
Back then, he was her happiness. Happiness, just like the scent of the kapok flowers. As Julie gazed at the flowers on the
ground, her expression was a
bit distant.
Suddenly. Daphne pulled on Julie’s arm sharply. “Julie, look! Is that Mr. Hernandez? Am I seeing things? Did I just spot Mr.
Hernandez?”
Daphne’s words finally pulled Julie back from her memories.

Julie looked where Daphne was pointing, but where was Kieran?
Crowds of people were gathering at the gate for the campus celebration. Julie scanned the crowd but couldn’t find Kieran.
She turned to Daphne with a smile. “He was not a student here, why would he be at our school celebration?”
Daphne agreed with Julie’s logic and relaxed. “True, Mr. Hernandez was a top student at Futuro Business College. Why would
he attend our Law School celebration?”
With that, Daphne grabbed Julie’s camera and aimed it at her. “We’re back at our alma mater, we have to capture the moment.”
Her finger was quick on the shutter, and Julie couldn’t dodge in time and resigned herself to being captured in the frame.
Julie and Daphne headed towards the Law School building. Just as they reached the entrance, someone suddenly slapped
Daphne’s shoulder.
They both turned to see a man in a suit, with a neat hairstyle, excitedly saying, “Daphne? I’m not mistaken, am I? I’m Porter, that
guy who always sat behind you!”
Daphne instantly recognized him and gave Porter a solid slap on the shoulder. “Porcupine? You smelly guy, dressing all fancy
like this, I didn’t even recognize you!”
“Man, it’s been a long time since I heard that nickname. Feels kinda nice.” Porter laughed it off, then turned to Julie. “Julie, didn’t
expect you here. Are you following your idol?”
“What idol?” Daphne frowned at Porter.
Porter gave Julie a meaningful look. “Kieran! Heard he donated five million to the school on behalf of Simpo Co., and he’s giving
a speech in the auditorium right now. But you guys are late, it’s probably almost over.”