Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 187

The distance between the two was abruptly closed by Hayden's move. Julien was caught off guard and quite repulsed. But being a master of concealing her emotions, she maintained a brief silence before addressing Hayden in a composed manner, "I don't find our current distance comfortable. What about you?"

"Do you genuinely want to know my feelings?" Hayden's chiseled features resembled a meticulously crafted work of art, his usually icy gaze now warmed.

His rough fingertips gently trailed along the back of her neck, the coarse sensation causing a shiver to run down her skin. Julien was always on guard against men, but this one... she could only mask her unique feelings towards him with disgust.

She grabbed his arm tightly, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

He neither confirmed nor denied.

In response, Julien retorted, "Being seduced feels disgusting."

She used the word "disgusting," probably the deepest form of repulsion a woman can feel towards a man. However, this man, who had experienced life and death, seemed unfazed. Instead, he revisited her previous topic, "You asked what distance I find comfortable. Lien, I prefer a negative distance."

"Wait till the day I reach into your heart, rip it out, and see how comfortable that distance feels," she forcefully shook off the arm resting on her neck, took a step back, and leaned against a chair, maintaining a safe distance from him.

She of course understood what he meant by "negative distance".

He didn't engage in an argument, but looked at her with a somewhat dominant gaze, "Lien, I'll give you a choice. Temporarily abandon your mission from the National Security Agency, or permanently abandon your identity given by the National Security Agency. I think, Klein will listen to me."

Klein, the previous deputy director and current director of the National Security Agency, had earned his position through the successful capture of Miles, a feat largely attributable to Hayden's assistance. Julien's parents were both victims of Miles, and Klein had been secretly looking after the Julien sisters since childhood. If Hayden were to exert influence to force Klein to fire her, he would likely have no choice but to comply.

In the end, Julien merely averted her gaze, murmuring as though talking to herself, "Then tell me, what can I do for you? Apart from my own life, I have nothing else to offer."

Her tone was sharp, direct, and cold.

Hayden cut to the chase, "If I remember correctly, you've had contact with the Fitzgerald family."

Julien had once been an undercover agent for the National Security Agency, working under Miles. Although he didn't fully trust her, he would assign her to handle many important matters, including those related to the Fitzgerald family.

"Since Miles' death, I no longer have any ties with the Fitzgerald family," Julien stated earnestly.

"I don't need to know the grudges between Miles and them; you just need to tell me about the Fitzgerald family."

"The family is known for their secrecy. I only know they own banks and wineries..."

"I'm not interested in their wealth. Tell me about the people," Hayden cut her off.

Julien suddenly looked at Hayden, "Are you asking about the second young miss of their family?"

"Second young miss?" Hayden asked, puzzled.

Julien chuckled, "Are you curious about that? As expected, all you men care about is beauty."

"Beauty?" Hayden looked at Julien, his gaze subtly shifting.

Julien didn't think much about it and continued, "I've never met the second young miss of the Fitzgerald family. All I know is that her name is Beatrice. She is said to be extremely beautiful, with a great figure and an aura of elegance and mystery. No one has ever seen her photo."

"Simon, the first heir to the Fitzgerald family, have you met him?" Hayden interrupted again.

Julien was surprised, "I haven't."

Hayden didn't doubt her words. He knew that if even Julien hadn't met someone, then that person must be extremely mysterious.

"Simon and Beatrice are siblings. I only know that Simon once had a secret lover, but they broke up. Simon also had a younger brother, but he's dead."

"A family feud?" Hayden asked.