Chapter 272
Love’s Cunning Ruse ( Mr.Kieran And Julie )
Chapter 272
Never did they expect to find Zenith right here. Their original plan was to investigate Zenithâs childhood environment, but to their surprise, the man himself was sitting on the couch, staring at Julie and Kieran in shock.
Anticipating their purpose for being here, Zenithâs expression was understandably grim. Raising an eyebrow, he turned to his butler, âHelga, since when do we let just anyone into the mansion?â
Helga looked a bit wronged and pointed at Kieran and Julie, explaining to Zenith, âIâm sorry, sir. They said they were your business associates, soâ¦
âYou must be Dahlia?â Even though Julie knew the old lady was blind and couldnât see her, she still politely asked with a smile towards Dahlia.
Feeling insecure, Dahlia instinctively reached out towards Zenith. Zenith immediately extended his right arm, allowing Dahlia to grab hold.
âZenith, do we have guests?â
âYes, grandmother, strangers.â Zenith told Dahlia, âI think theyâve got the wrong person.â
âAre you Mr. Zenith? It appears weâve found the right person!â Clever Julie spoke up, a hint of relief in her voice while Kieran let her take the lead.
Dahlia heard this and turned towards the sound, slightly perplexed.
Julie watched Dahlia expectantly, thinking Dahlia would at least let her identify herself. However, to her surprise, Dahlia simply said, âThere are many people with the same name in the world, my dear. Iâm afraid youâve found the wrong person.â
âI apologize, Dahlia, may I askâ¦â
âAre you Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez?â Dahlia abruptly asked, facing Julie and Kieran.
Julie nodded at Dahlia in surprise, then quickly realized the old woman couldnât see her nod, so she hastily responded, âYes⦠yes we are.â
âIâve heard Zenith mention you two,â Dahlia said. âZenithâs previous mentor was indeed the professor who treated vegetative patients, but Zenith has not practiced medicine for many years, so Iâm afraid he canât help Mrs. Hernandezâs sister. If he could help, he certainly would not refuse. Iâm old and just want to live out my remaining years peacefully. Itâs best if you young people figure out your own issues. Iâm too old for this.â.
With that, Dahlia called, âHelga, help me go to my room.â.
Helga promptly assisted Dahlia, and Zenith stood up as well.
Dahlia stood, her hand in her pocket, showing her refusal. Julie frowned, her movements stiff. If they knew Zenith was home from the start, they certainly wouldnât have visited Dahlia directly.
With Dahlia going back to her room under Helgaâs assistance, Kieran placed the nutritional supplements they brought on the glass coffee table.
âShall we talk outside?â Kieran suggested with a deep gaze towards Zenith.
Zenith stared back at Kieran without uttering a word.
âThen letâs talk here!â Kieran asked Zenith, âDo you enjoy role-playing?â
âIâve seen photos of Mr. Hernandezâs late brother, and if Iâm not mistaken, your brother died in a plane crash many years ago. I understand why you might see me as your biological. brother, given our resemblance. But Mr. Hernandez, if this matter involves family, I wonât hold back.â
Zenithâs cold voice echoed in the living room.
âDo you believe in doppelgangers, Mr. Moore?â Kieran asked Zenith. The two exchanged meaningful glances, neither backing down.
Julie took a deep breath, choosing not to intervene.
After a long silence, Zenith smirked, âAre you suggesting that Iâm your brotherâs twin, Mr. Hernandez?â
âGiven what youâve just said, Mr. Moore, itâs not entirely impossible.â Kieran shrugged nonchalantly.
Julie admired Zenithâs quick wit, as well as Kieranâs ability to play along.
Zenith seemed impatient with the exchange and asked Kieran directly, âSo, if I can prove that I have no blood relation to Mr. Hernandez, will you leave my house in peace?â.
âProof?â Kieran raised an eyebrow, waiting for Zenithâs response.
Instead of responding, Zenith acted. He picked up a nail clipper from the coffee table and briskly cut off a fingernail. He then wrapped it in a white tissue and slapped it on Kieranâs chest.
âI assume you wouldnât trust me to do a DNA test myself, Mr. Hernandez? If thatâs the case, take this and leave my house immediately!â
Julie watched Zenithâs actions in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Dahlia emerged from her room, assisted by Helga. She faced the room and asked, âZenith, where did you put the cane your grandfather gave me? Find it for me.â
âWasnât it stored in the closet?â Zenith said as he moved towards his grandmother, at the same time he signaled Helga, âSee them out!â
Rather than being escorted out, they were practically kicked out.
Julie and Kieran stood at the mansionâs entrance.
âThe nail clipping?â Julie looked up at Kieran expectantly.
Kieran pulled out Zenithâs nail clipping and handed it to Julie.
Julie received it, held it in her hand, and after confirming that it was indeed nail clipping, she looked at Kieran with a saddened expression, asking him softly, âCould it be⦠Zenith isnât really Lucian?â
Otherwise, how could he have let them go for a DNA test so readily?
Kieran fell into thought, seemingly not hearing the question.
Julie said quietly, âIâll keep it safe until we return and let QuadDylan check itâ¦â
âNo need, the result will certainly show no blood relation.â Kieran looked at the mansion behind him, his tone enigmatic.
Inside the mansion.
Zenith went forward and handed the cane resting by the bed to Dahlia.
âThat boy just now was the Kerry you often talk about, right?â Dahlia gently patted Zenithâs hand, her voice kind.
âMhm.â
âDonât worry, it was you who avenged Zenithâs death for our family. Although Iâm old, Iâm not senile. I know what to do.â The old ladyâs voice sounded hoarse and ancient.
Even though he knew his grandmother couldnât see, Zenith smiled at her fondly, then gave her a hug, holding her as if she were his own family, saying gratefully, âThank you, grandma.â
Dahlia lightly patted Zenithâs back, her voice heavy with emotion, âChild, once a person tells a lie, to keep it from being exposed, he must cover it with countless other lies. I know you must have a reason for lying, but I still hope you can find happiness. How could God be so tough on such a kind child..
Kind?
He had long lost the right to be called kindâ¦
After seeing off Julie and Kieran, Helga returned. Zenith turned to her and said, âHelp me tidy up the room. I might stay here for a couple of days.â
After finishing his sentence, he took out his phone and went to the balcony to make a call. Bruceâs respectful voice came from the other end, âMr. Moore?â
âThe thing I asked you to prepare, delay it by a few days. Iâll handle it myself when I return.â
âMr. Moore, please allow me to say one thing. Even if we are trying to steal someone from Kyle, we should be the ones doing it. You shouldnât be taking such a risky move yourselfâ¦â
âDo as I say!â This wasnât a negotiation, it was an order.
Bruce on the other side of the call sighed helplessly after hanging up.
Ah, his life had been saved by Mr. Moore, what more could heâsay?
Zenith, who had ended the call, looked down at his thumb where an artificial nail had been grafted. It had been cut from Bruceâs nail and then glued onto his thumb. So, even if they took that nail for a DNA test, the result wouldnât be what they were hoping for.
With that thought, Zenithâs gaze deepened.
At the mansionâs front door, even though Kieran had accurately analyzed that the nail wouldnât show any blood relation even if tested, Julie was still unable to let
She frowned deeply, telling Kieran, âThis nail was personally cut from his nail, right? Regardless, we need to have it tested to know if thereâs a blood relation, right?â
Julie thought Kieran had lost hope in Zenith, so she gripped his arm and said, âAlthough he was very firm just now, and seemed 100% confident that heâs not Lucian when he cut the nail.. but do you just believe that heâs not Lucian?â
âI donât believe heâs not Lucian. But I donât believe that nail can prove anything.â He turned around, placed his left hand in his pocket, and faced Julie, âNotice anything?â
Julie looked up and down at the man in front of her and shook her head, âYou are handsome?â
The man was slightly excited, hearing his wife compliment him was like drowning in honey. Butâ¦
âOther than handsome, what else? Notice anything?â