Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 203

Edda took Alaric into the kitchen, leaving Daphne and Lionel alone in the living room.

Edda hissed at Alaric, "What's gotten into you today? Didn't you see my favorite celeb sitting out there? Are you jealous or something?"

"I've been jealous for the past forty years." Alaric was never one for comeback, so he shut up after one sentence, glancing in the direction of the living room. He whispered to Edda, "Look, this Lionel is a playboy, plus he's pretty good-looking. Our daughter is not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. She's inherited your fangirl genes. If she gets seduced by Lionel, she's gonna be heartbroken! Don't you know he changes girlfriends like he changes his clothes?"

Edda was left speechless by Alaric's words, finally mumbling, "They're just good friends..."

"Good friends? Do you even know what 'friends' of the opposite sex mean to young people these days?" Alaric frowned in disgust.

Edda shouted, "You know everything! You're always right!"

Alaric was speechless.

Living Room.

Lionel was examining a photo of Nigel in his hand. Daphne promptly covered the photo with her hand, "Lord Lion, you've gone out of your way to bring me the key. I'm so embarrassed. Couldn't you just have called me?"

"Daphne." Lionel looked up at her, his deep, beautiful eyes sparkling like a crystal-clear lake.

Daphne hurriedly closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was determined not to be swayed by him.

"What's this guy's name?" he asked.

Feeling Lionel's intense gaze, Daphne blurted out, "Nigel."

As soon as her words fell, Lionel suddenly looked towards the kitchen and said, "Nigel, that's a nice name."

Who was he putting on this show for? His words clearly didn't sound genuine.

As expected, Lionel turned back to her after saying this and whispered, "So, do you think Nigel is a nice name, or is Lionel a better one?"

With Lionel himself right in front of her, Daphne, ever the opportunist, didn't hesitate to answer, "Of course your name is better! Lionel, Lord Lion. What a powerful name!"

"Good." Lionel patted Daphne on the shoulder, commending her.

Daphne was shaking in her boots.

He then looked towards the kitchen again and said loudly, "This Nigel is quite good-looking."

Daphne's face was completely frozen. Lionel turned back to her, lowered his voice, and said, "He is quite handsome, but not as handsome as me. What do you think, Daphne?"

"What do I think?" Daphne looked at Lionel, "All the guys better looking than you are already married. And I'm so ugly, how could I be their girlfriend?"

"I agree with that." Lionel smiled at Daphne's reply.

Daphne resisted the urge to throw him out. He raised his voice again towards the kitchen, "I think he's a good guy, but I'm not sure about his financial situation. If he's not well-off, I'm afraid he won't be able to support you."

Daphne had had enough, she shook her body, "Am I handicapped? Can't I support myself?"

"How about I support you?" Lionel said suddenly, not looking up from Nigel's photo. His tone was serious, and it didn't sound like he was joking.

Daphne had never imagined hearing these words from a man, let alone Lionel, a heartthrob idol and an internationally awarded actor.

More importantly, her heart was beating out of control. What was happening?

Just as she was thinking about how to respond, Lionel said again, "Forget it. I'm afraid my Daphne will get jealous."

Lionel had a husky dog named Daphne… Daphne remembered the night she went to his house, how he happily called out 'Daphne' to his husky, and how the husky wagged its tail joyfully.

Daphne only found out from Julie that Albertine also had a husky. After breaking up, they couldn't be a couple but managed to have matching dogs! Daphne didn't understand their thinking.

But was he treating her like a dog now? All her flutters were for nothing!

"Don't worry, I won't fight for attention with your Daphne!" Daphne glared at Lionel.

Lionel suddenly laughed, "Do you really want me to take care of you?"

"Lord Lion, your comprehension skills…"

"Well then, I'll reluctantly take care of you." He cut off Daphne's words, patting her head, "Next time you find a new date, tell me in advance. As your friend with benefits, I have a duty to help you make decisions."