Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 343

The scene before Julie was confusing to her. Camilla and Dylan were sitting on the sofa facing each other. Amanda was next to them, and Shannon was serving tea for the trio.

They were deep in conversation, oblivious to Julie's presence at the door.

Amanda was holding Camilla's hand and teasing Dylan with a chuckle, "I haven’t seen you in ages, dear. Have you been swamped with autopsies again? Too busy to visit me?"

Julie couldn't help but wonder - had Dylan and Granny's relationship always been this warm? Or was it just her Granny was hard to get along with, while she got on well with everyone else?

Hearing Amanda's playful complaint, Dylan responded with a grin, "You've got me all wrong. I haven't been dealing much with bodies lately. Our city has been surprisingly peaceful, with hardly a murder case that needs the professional touch of their board-certified medical examiner."

"And you couldn't drop by after my hospital stint?"

"Well, I've been hunting down this special teapot for you, you know? It wasn't easy to find a piece inscribed by Samuel. He only made a couple of sets, and I had to pull some strings with Annalise Hansen to get my hands on one!" Dylan, ever the charmer, explained with a smile.

Amanda's smile grew wider as she responded, "That's quite a coincidence, then, because now I have both sets."

"Oh? Really? I heard the other set was gifted abroad by Mr. Samuel to a friend. Could it be that you're that friend of Mr. Samuel's, Granny?" Dylan asked, feigning surprise.

Amanda shook her head, "I wish! It was Camilla here who went through the trouble."

"Shannon," Amanda called out, "bring the teapot set that Camilla gave me."

Shannon quickly brought out the teapot set gifted by Camilla, and sure enough, it was another of Samuel's creations, just like the one Dylan had brought.

Before Dylan could examine the teapot closely, Amanda mused, "It's all fate! Look at this – only two sets exist, and you both chose them, ending up in my hands. Dylan, if I'm not mistaken, you're nearing thirty, aren't you?"

Dylan chuckled awkwardly, "Uh… yeah, getting there."

He was only twenty-nine, for goodness' sake!

"And our dear Camilla is quite a few years younger. You're twenty-three this year, right?" Amanda swiftly turned the conversation towards Camilla, and Camilla nodded with a shy smile.

Holding onto Camilla's hand, Amanda continued, "It's about time you thought about dating. I remember when I was your age, I was already pregnant. In my eyes, a sensible girl like you should be with someone a bit older, someone who's considerate. It saves a lot of arguments down the line."

Julie, who had been eavesdropping at the door, finally grasped the situation. Amanda was not merely chatting – she was trying to set Camilla up and Dylan!

Engrossed in her snooping, Julie was startled by a deep voice behind her, "My lady, why not come in?"

She spun around to find Noah, nearly stumbling in surprise, and quickly offered him a forced smile, "I… I just got here. Where have you been, Noah?"

"Ms. Amanda asked me to inform the young master that he should come home for lunch, as she plans to keep him for a meal. My lady, why linger at the door?"

Caught red-handed, Julie blurted out, "Just got here, just about to go in!"

With that, she reluctantly pushed the door open and stepped inside.

It was clear that everyone had heard their exchange at the door.

Without greeting Julie, Amanda commanded, "Check on Shannon, will you? She's been cutting that apple for ages."

This was Julie's saving grace. She hurried off to the kitchen as fast as her legs would carry her.

Dylan, realizing the true nature of this gathering – an impromptu matchmaking session – suddenly rose from the sofa and called out to Julie, "Oh, I just remembered! Kerry asked me to discuss something with you. I completely forgot with all the hubbub. Let's go to the study."

As he spoke, he didn't forget to turn back and politely excuse himself to Amanda and Camilla, "Pardon me, Amanda, Ms. Stewart, but I need to discuss some important matters with Julie. We'll catch up soon!"

With that, he practically whisked Julie away like a gust of wind.

Julie felt she wasn't so much agreeing to go upstairs as she was being hauled up by Dylan. Usually, Dylan was just a surgeon with delicate hands – who knew he had such strength? Julie half-wondered if he could carry her off without a second thought...

Once in the study, Dylan let out a sigh of relief, "Phew! Is this what they call the lion's den?"