Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 261

Adeline had made it clear that Dr. Brice had done it on purpose.

Just as she was about to respond, a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Nance. The woman held a charcoal-grey purse in her hand, poised to speak.

Adeline quickly stood up, startling Nance, who teetered backwards, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Dr. Brice hadn't expected his mother to approach so directly - thankfully, it wasn't peak hours at the restaurant, and there were no other customers. It was due to the lack of morning crowd that he and Adeline hadn't opted for a private dining room.

Dr. Brice stood up, ready to introduce Nance, but Adeline beat him to it, extending her hand to greet Nance, "Nance, it's a pleasure. I'm Adeline. I didn't realize you were sitting behind us, I thought I'd mistaken you for someone else. Dr. Brice and I were just discussing you - he mentioned your elegance and extensive knowledge."

"Oh?" Nance shifted her gaze to her son.

Dr. Brice felt a moment of panic - he should have expected Adeline's ire regarding the Elliot situation.

"Mother, what brings you here?" Dr. Brice asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nance was a skilled conversationalist. She smiled at Dr. Brice, "I had arranged a shopping trip with a friend, but she isn't here yet. I thought I'd rest for a while and as luck would have it, found you and Ms. Sanches here."

"My lady, you know who I am? I'm honored!" Though saying this, Adeline's expression seemed insincere.

Nance had expected Adeline to ask about her friend, but the young woman was unpredictable. Nance, however, maintained her smile, "Ms. Sanches, your beauty is unforgettable."

"My lady." Elliot stood up and extended his hands to her.

Nance had noticed Elliot earlier and wasn't about to ignore the young heir of the Sanches Group. She greeted politely and remarked, "I didn't realize you knew my son..."

Before she could finish, Elliot chuckled and waved it off, "My lady, you misunderstand. Dr. Brice and I have just met. If it weren't for a mutual friend setting up Adeline and Dr. Brice, I may not have had the chance to meet him."

Nance's smile faded slightly at his words.

She hadn't expected a casual date to become so complex. Everyone knew that the Brice family, a high-ranking bureaucratic one, held steadfast to the concept of matching social status. Nance would undoubtedly prefer a cultured lady, not a woman of ill reputation like Adeline.

To avoid further complications, Adeline said with a smile, "Don't listen to his nonsense. Dr. Brice and I are just friends."

Adeline turned to Dr. Brice, "We're friends, right?"

Dr. Brice shot back, "Are we?"

From the look in Dr. Brice's eyes, Adeline sensed his desperation. She recalled that before her blind date with Elliot, Mr. Hernandez had mentioned Dr. Brice's participation was to avoid Nance's arranged blind date with Mr. Gary's daughter.

Adeline remembered, Yulia, was her name? Judging by Nance's demeanor, she seemed pleased with Yulia.

Based on their conversation, Adeline thought Dr. Brice to be a decent person. It was clear that Nance had decided to confront her to hint at stepping back.

She slapped Dr. Brice's shoulder, laughing, "We may be friends now, but who knows what the future holds!"

Upon seeing Nance's expression change, Adeline turned to Dr. Brice nonchalantly, "Love is a match made in heaven when mutual. Forced relationships are no good. It's best when feelings naturally develop and both parties are willing. Nowadays, free love is encouraged. As parents, wouldn't you want your children to be happy in their marriages, rather than forcefully pairing them off?"

"Don't you agree, Nance?" Adeline turned to face Nance, flashing a bright smile, her teeth gleaming white against her brilliant orange-red lipstick, making her skin look more delicate.

Her beauty shone like a bright light, it's no wonder people said it was beyond description. Even the experienced Nance had to admit Adeline's beauty.

Yet, Adeline's words were clearly a veiled hint at Nance's interference in her son's love life - no doubt referring to Nance's insistence on arranging a date between her son and Yulia!

From the moment Adeline began speaking, Nance knew this young woman was not to be trifled with. If she were to contend with Adeline, she would undoubtedly lose.