Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 202

Daphne, on her rare day off, finally had the chance to sleep in. But her beauty sleep was interrupted by a phone call. On the other end was Nigel Ted, her blind date. The gentleman who'd left quite an impression on her.

They'd swapped WhatsApp details already and Nigel knew she had a few days off work, so he called bright and early to invite her out to lunch. Considering their mutual good impressions, and Daphne feeling like it was about time she got a boyfriend, she happily agreed.

She slipped into a nude fishtail maxi, paired with a beige coat. After applying a full face of makeup and choosing her favorite pair of heels, she grabbed her handbag and left her apartment.

But she sprained her ankle on the first floor because...

"What are you doing here?" Daphne couldn't hide her surprise as she saw Lionel, sitting across from her mom. She quickly steadied herself on the staircase railing, glancing at the TV show playing in the living room. It was Lionel's movie. She looked at the TV, back to Lionel, rubbed her eyes and jokingly asked her mom, "Did he step out from the TV?"

"What are you talking about?Stop talking nonsense!" Edda quickly waved her off. "Come sit down. Mr. Lionel has been waiting for you!"

The only thing Daphne wanted to know was why Lionel was at her house.

Lionel seemed to have read her mind. He turned to Daphne and said, "You left your keys at my place last time. I happened to be filming nearby today, so I thought I'd drop them off."

So that's why you had to knock last night when you got home! You lost your keys." Edda said with a sigh. "Why didn't you lose yourself too?"

Daphne looked innocently at the keys in Lionel's hands. No wonder she couldn't find them anywhere yesterday. She'd left them at his place.

Edda ushered her to sit down, her eyes beaming with joy. She was a huge fan of Lionel. Ever since she saw him on the entertainment news saying he and Daphne were good friends, Edda had been hoping that Daphne would invite Lionel over. She even wanted a few signed photos.

Having a mom like this left Daphne helpless. But since she didn't live at home, Edda had no choice but to give up on her dream. But what she never expected was that Lionel would come to her door. How did he even know her address?

After mentally cursing Lionel a hundred times, Daphne forced a smile and said, "Thank you."

"How did your keys end up at Mr. Lionel's place?" Edda asked with a puzzled look.

Lionel sitting opposite didn't seem to want to help explain, but rather seemed to enjoy Daphne's discomfort.

Daphne thought of countless excuses in her mind. Just as she was about to use work as an excuse, Julie called her at the right moment.

Daphne immediately bolted to the balcony with her phone, like she was escaping, to answer Julie's call.

Back in the living room, Lionel seemed to be hosting a fan meeting for Edda. Edda glanced at Daphne on the balcony and said to Lionel with a smile, "Did you and Daphne plan to go out together? She usually doesn't wear those heels unless it's a special occasion."

Lionel glanced in Daphne's direction and said meaningfully, "Special occasion?"

"Never mind about her. Let's talk about you. I heard you're releasing a new single?"

Lionel responded with a bright and polite smile, nodding, "Yes, I have plans for that."

"That's great! Daphne used to love boys who could sing when she was a kid. There was a boy in her class who could sing really well. She always said she would marry him when they grew up." Edda recalled Daphne's childhood, her smile sweetening.

Daphne's dad, Alaric Flores, came out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit and smiled at Edda, "Stop making things up. Mr. Lionel already said on TV that he and Daphne are just friends! Don't spread rumours."

"I forgot!" Edda glared at Alaric, motioning him to shut up.

Alaric could only warmly look at Lionel and say, "Have some fruit. My wife is pretty straightforward. I hope you won't mind, Mr. Lionel."

Lionel smiled, "I like straightforward people."

"Yeah, Daphne is pretty straightforward too. Mr. Lionel, she must have upset you quite a bit, huh?" Edda laughed.

Indeed, Daphne knew how to get on his nerves, but Lionel still smiled, "Mrs. Flores, please, there's no need for formalities. You can just call me by my name."

Hearing this, Edda was overjoyed, "Then, can I call you Lionel?"