Liar and Liar - Chapter 70

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 70

‘Am I imagining things…’

What context could there possibly be for things to get awkward. Danielle pushed away any further thoughts.

Frederick’s family home was located within Bel Ester like other students’ houses, but they had to wind up a long, curving road bordered by high hedges for quite a while.

‘It’s like some giant maze.’

All the new money families had high hedges around their perimeters, making it impossible to see inside from the outside.

As Frederick’s car turned right, a silver gate that was already slowly opening came into Danielle’s view. The metal surface of the gate, reminiscent of rose vines, glimmered softly in the sunlight.

The car passed through the gate and drove down an entrance road lined with dark green cypress trees on both sides. Danielle was bewildered.

‘There’s even a separate entrance road…? Is all of this private property?’

It clearly looked like a forest…

“The landscaping is incredible… Is this perhaps the Bastia Estate? Like Bastia Road or something.”

“Haha. My parents did put a lot of effort into creating a little Italy. Though there’s no Venice.”

‘…So that means there’s Rome?’

Rome… really did exist.

The car emerged from the forest path and made a wide turn around a circular intersection made of light brown stone. It looked like a scene from 19th century Italy. In the center of the intersection stood a marble statue of a goddess holding a water glass and pitcher, rising above a bed of violet geraniums.

After passing through an arched stone entrance covered with green vines, a three-story building appeared with a loggia (in Italian architecture, a room or hall open on one side without a wall) on the first floor featuring ivory-colored semicircular arches. The exterior walls in warm sand beige to light ocher yellow tones and terracotta roof gave off a typical Southern European atmosphere.

‘I’m not actually in Europe right now, am I…?’

The car traveled over sampietrini (Rome’s traditional stone paving material, floors covered with small irregular or round stones) and gently slowed to a stop. Mari was already waiting outside the building.

And next to Mari, a massive Golden Retriever with shiny light brown fur was wagging its tail vigorously while holding a toy ball in its mouth.

Before Frederick could open the door for her, Danielle hurriedly opened it herself and got out.

Woof!

The retriever dropped its ball and immediately approached Danielle, raising both paws up high.

“Eek!”

“Oh my, Rocky. Calm down.”

Frederick emerged from the driver’s seat and gently restrained the retriever with a soft voice.

Though it had the build of a tiger, the retriever’s expression was surprisingly gentle. It was exactly like the cutest retriever in the world that Danielle had vaguely imagined.

Danielle smiled brightly and let the retriever sniff her, then affectionately stroked its fur.

“You’re so pretty, baby. Such a sweetheart. Is your name Rocky? You’re the prettiest in the world~!”

Understanding the praise, the retriever barked “Woof, woof!” and wagged its fluffy caramel-colored tail even more vigorously.

Danielle had wanted to raise a puppy since she was little. Specifically, a retriever like this one.

In Korea, they lived in an apartment so they couldn’t keep a large dog, and there had been talk of considering getting one when they moved to the United States, but that all became meaningless when Eunho received his diagnosis. Danielle thought it was fortunate they hadn’t rashly adopted a puppy.

If they had, they surely would have had to give it up. It would have become a terrible wound that never healed for life.

Golden Retrievers were considered the most commonly kept breed among Los Angeles residents. Even so, she never expected Frederick to have one. When Danielle extended her hand, the retriever nimbly placed one of its front paws on top of her hand.

“Dani, you like dogs? Come on in!”

“Yeah, retrievers are so cute. It’s like injeolmi.”

Mari naturally gave Danielle a bise as she straightened up from her crouched position. At first she seemed somewhat restrained, but it had somehow become a natural way of greeting, and Danielle, who had been awkward about it, was gradually adapting.

“Injeolmi? What’s that?”

“Korean dessert. I’ll show you a picture later.”

The retriever, having found its next target, latched onto Frederick.

“Seeing you outdoors makes you look even more handsome. That outfit suits you so well! Let’s hurry inside!”

Mari clapped her hands and was so excited she was practically bouncing. She was as bright and fresh as Italy’s Capri island.

Mari, having ditched Frederick, naturally linked arms with Danielle and led her inside.

The first thing visible upon entering the house was cream-colored, gold-tinted wallpaper and white spiral staircases that could be climbed on both sides.

Lily-shaped lighting and fresh flowers decorated here and there caught the eye. It seemed like a well-dressed, gray-haired old butler wearing a monocle might pop out at any moment.

‘…I thought this was the Bridgerton filming location…’

As they walked toward the dining room where Frederick’s parents would be, Mari guided Danielle through the house like she was the owner. The chandelier hanging from the high ceiling made everything feel surreal.

Oil paintings full of seasonal atmosphere were hung in sequence on the walls. By hanging Gustav Klimt’s Italian garden paintings, Frederick’s parents seemed to have succeeded in transplanting a handful of some Italian garden to this place.

The house tour continued slowly as they circled around the Italian-style courtyard, Cortile, which was flooded with sunlight. The interior was modern.

White linen curtains at every window shone in the light, and as they passed through the French doors that were open in a row, Mari explained rooms that Danielle had never even imagined.

“If you go over there, there’s a listening room. Next to that is the instrument room. And next to that is the game room. It has everything from billiards to poker tables! If you take that elevator over there, you can go down to the underground storage for art pieces and the garage.”

‘…They have everything.’

“Over there is the meditation room. My room and Ricky’s room are both on the 2nd floor.”

Danielle was half-expecting an explanation about a mini Colosseum in the backyard to follow, but unfortunately, no such explanation came.

Danielle’s steps stopped when she passed through the living room with a white grand piano and saw the framed pictures hanging on the wall where a wooden console was placed.

“Oh my, that’s Ricky? I pass by here all the time but never noticed.”

It was Frederick from a time Danielle didn’t know. Little Ricky on horseback was smiling brightly while wearing a cowboy hat.

“Was it Texas… My memory is fuzzy.”

“No, you dummy. It’s Tuscany.”

Leaving Mari and Frederick bickering behind her, Danielle slowly gazed at each frame one by one. Young Frederick in the frames was no less than any professional child model.

So cute…

‘I want it…’

Her lips twitched. However, Danielle forcibly tore her gaze away in the end.

She snuck one more glance, but then closed her mouth and lowered her eyes.

‘…Saying I want the photo would be like openly confessing that I like him.’

A fake girlfriend had to act like a fake girlfriend, staying within her role and only capturing the photos with her eyes.

* * *

Sylvester and Marilyn’s hospitality was surprising to Danielle.

“Welcome!”

“It’s even more wonderful to see you like this. You must be busy, so thank you so much for making time.”

The couple was wearing ordinary indoor clothes, but their wealth showed through the crisp lines and colors and luster that differed from typical ready-made products.

Marilyn had her hair pinned up with a luxury brand hair clip. Danielle awkwardly responded to their warm embraces.

“Thank you for inviting me. This isn’t much, but I prepared it as a token of my gratitude.”

“Oh my! You didn’t have to do this.”

The gift Danielle prepared was traditional sweets and a tea set. Marilyn received it joyfully as if it were precious jewels.

“Korean tea, how exciting. Let’s drink it together later.”

Marilyn handed the tea set to a staff member wearing a cream-colored semi-formal outfit.

“While preparing for today, I learned a bit about Korea. There are so many interesting dishes. I tried preparing bibimbap Italian-style, but I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

Danielle was once again surprised by Sylvester’s words. The vegetables arranged on the white dining table behind them came into view one by one.

The bibimbap with zucchini slices, grilled eggplant, arugula, and Italian porcini mushrooms looked very appetizing.

“How did you manage this… It looks so perfect.”

While Danielle marveled quietly, Frederick pulled out her chair for her. Mari added with a smile.

“You’d think the chef prepared it, right? No. Uncle and Aunt prepared all of this by hand since morning.”

“What? You made it yourselves?”

Danielle was so surprised she looked at Frederick. He just shrugged his shoulders.

‘I’m not even a real girlfriend…’

Even so, couldn’t you have stopped them a bit… Danielle quietly swallowed the words she couldn’t voice out loud.

However, the homemade food was just the beginning. As Danielle took her seat, she gradually came to understand the source of Frederick’s Italian heritage. Sylvester, holding a white wine glass, led the conversation while Danielle’s glass was being filled.

“I’ve heard Danielle’s name several times before. Every year at the Founders Dinner (an event where parents who donated generously around the private school’s founding anniversary are invited), we talk about who that year’s valedictorian was, and it was always Danielle, I remember.”

Danielle smiled awkwardly. A staff member skillfully poured alcohol-free apple-scented champagne and withdrew.

“You must have worked incredibly hard. I know how much effort you must have put in.”

“…”

“There must have been many moments when you were exhausted and wanted to give up.”

Unable to answer immediately, Danielle was helplessly overwhelmed by the sensation of her heart aching.

Danielle’s grades had long been taken for granted by her parents. Perhaps because of that, Sylvester’s kind praise touched her heart even more deeply.

“Hehe, I remember it differently. When Amedeo was young, he complained that there was a girl he was interested in, but she only studied and didn’t pay any attention to him. To meet that protagonist like this, it feels so refreshing~”

At the sensation of her heart pounding, Danielle gasped and drew in a breath.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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