Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 268

Technically, Julie had done a smart thing. So, when Julie and Kieran presented the cup to Payne Hernandez, even Payne couldn't help but praise Julie, "I apologize, dear sister-in-law. I swear, we common folks could never match your cleverness."

Julie gave him a crooked smile, "Better not apologize, it would make it awkward for me to tease you in the future."

Payne was speechless.

For Payne, fingerprint comparison was a simple task, so Kieran and Julie sat nearby waiting for the results.

Payne's study was grand and technologically advanced, filled with high-tech equipment and a large collection of gaming devices. The only outliers in the room were... the claw machine and whack-a-mole game near the corner.

Julie's gaze had landed on those two machines, seemingly very interested.

Kieran moved closer, whispering in her ear, "He had the happiest childhood."

Payne's parents were loving, and he was the only child. After his birth, his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cysts, and both of her fallopian tubes were removed. Yet, Payne's father didn't love his wife any less for it.

His family was harmonious, and according to Payne himself, his mother was the most cherished person in his family, while he was the least favored. His home was unlike those of the aristocrats, free of conflicts and disputes.

Julie pointed at the claw machine, asking Kieran, "Is Payne still interested in this?"

"Huh!" Payne looked at Julie, "Do I look like the kind of guy who would play with a claw machine?"

Julie couldn't help but chuckle at Payne's self-description. She asked, "Then how did this machine end up here?"

"My mom always wanted a little princess. When she was pregnant with me, she thought I was a girl because I was so quiet in her womb. She spotted a claw machine on the street and tried to win a HelloKitty for me, but she failed. My father couldn't bear to see her disappointed, so he bought the machine for her to play at home. I grew up watching my parents' sweet moments, believe it or not."

Julie believed him, given his pitiful expression.

Kieran moved closer to Julie again, whispering, "After his birth, his mother wished she could shove him right back in her womb. During his middle school years, his mother asked him why he was so quiet in her womb despite being a boy. Do you know what he said?"

"What did he say?" Julie was curious about others' stories.

Payne turned his head and proudly said, "Guess."

Kieran didn't let Julie guess, but directly said, "He said it was because he didn't know his mother had bought a box of HelloKitty for him."

Kieran glanced at the box of HelloKitty in the machine, and Julie burst into laughter. No wonder Payne always claimed to be a man's man - he must have been traumatized in his childhood.

The boisterous laughter had already provoked Payne's displeasure. He turned his head and glared at Julie. Julie surrendered and gave Payne a smile before walking towards the claw machine with Kieran.

"Do you have a coin?" she asked.

Kieran pointed to a tray next to them, filled with coins. Julie excitedly put a coin into the machine and grabbed the joystick, but she failed as expected.

"Do you know how to play?" she asked him.

His reply was straightforward, "No."

"I used to think that men who could win at this game were as cool as those who could shoot. No, they're even cooler because they're more thoughtful." She put another coin into the machine.

"Do you want one?" Kieran moved behind her and asked softly in her ear.

Julie blushed a little and nodded.

"Where's the key?" Kieran turned to ask Payne.

Julie was speechless.

"Mr. Hernandez, can't you be a bit more romantic?" Julie gave him a wry smile.

Kieran pointed at the toys in the machine and innocently asked, "Isn't it romantic to unlock the machine and let you pick any toy you want?"

Julie gave him a pitiful look and said, "No, Mr. Hernandez, that's just showing off your wealth."

"I see, you're calling my dad rich." Payne's voice came from the side.

Kieran turned and glared at Payne, who promptly fell silent.