Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 217

Whitney felt a wave of relief wash over her when she heard his response, mistaking it for an agreement to come clean to their elders once their engagement had stabilized the situation.

“Thanks for helping me house hunt. How about I treat you to dinner?”

“I’d be honored to accept. After you, my queen.”

Whitney couldn’t help but chuckle. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for such a humorous guy, Mr. Lutz.”

“I haven’t really dated much, so no teasing.” He flashed a bright smile as he reversed the car.

Whitney was mulling over some things she needed to discuss with him.

Once they were settled in the cozy booth of the restaurant, waiting for him to finish ordering, Whitney broached the subject. “Our engagement, happening in five days-do you think we should hold a party, or just make a quiet announcement?”

She didn’t want any complications. If the Lutz elders got involved, it would be harder for her to extricate herself from the Lutz family later.

“I understand your concerns, but a simple announcement won’t satisfy my uncles and aunts. The Lutz Group shareholders are like hawks. We need an engagement ceremony to shut them up. At the very least, we have to invite my parents and a few key family members.”

Whitney frowned. “I can’t hide my pregnancy forever. How will you explain it to your parents? Will they agree if they see me like this?”

He poured her a glass of milk, a sly glint in his eye. “I’ve come up with a foolproof plan that’ll make them accept the child!”

“What is it?” Whitney was curious.

He played coy, touching his nose lightly. “Whitney, I can handle my father, but my mother is eager for my marriage. She insists on seeing you when we go wedding dress shopping the day after tomorrow. You’ll find out then. So, do you agree to meet?”

Since the engagement party was going ahead, it wouldn’t do to meet his parents for the first time on that day.

Whitney sighed in resignation. “If we’re putting on a show, might as well go the whole nine yards. I’ve met Claire once before.”

“You have nothing to worry about. My mother doesn’t bite. You just help me charm her a bit, and

this, Whitney felt

the doors to the private room

Lutz, the blood test results for Ludwik’s mother, have they come

table with a serious look. “That’s partly why I wanted to see you today. I sent samples to two different full-service labs, and the results were consistent. I think you need to

took the phone and

turned grave

couldn’t expel on its own. As she had suspected, it

had failed

ensuring Natalie was left in a vegetative state, seemed worry-free, as if

situation, Natalie wouldn’t live three

could cause renal failure within hours

a massive dose first, causing Natalie’s kidneys to fail and necessitate a transplant, then administered an antidote. After the

the direction Tiana had

kidney was diabolical. Would

filled with

Natalie again, Whitney knew

to remove the toxins. Once they were cleared, Natalie might have a chance

this thought, Whitney clenched her

could you send me a digital copy of the report?

blind to it,

uncle’s kidnapping of Natalie, Elaine wouldn’t

always felt

on the traditional medicine knowledge her mother had taught her, especially in

with a plan to infiltrate the TriMed Hospital as an insider, but Whitney was worried. So she rushed to the TriMed Hospital early in the morning, intending to investigate the kidney transplant patient situation with her,

around with that big belly makes me more nervous. Besides, you’re too conspicuous for Elaine. I’m better off working

and that scumbag Ludwik has

media was making a big deal out of their engagement. It’s

prestigious bridal shop to choose a wedding gown tomorrow! Even if your engagement with Bryce is fake,