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.”

help

him say this,

and the doors to the private room closed. That’s when

test results for Ludwik’s

Bryce took out his phone and slid it across the 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 see

the phone and read

expression turned

body couldn’t expel on its own. As

explained why Ludwik’s doctors had

Natalie was left in a vegetative state, seemed worry-free, as if she wasn’t concerned about her

this situation, Natalie wouldn’t live three years, let

renal failure within hours in

a transplant, then administered an antidote. After the surgery,

the realization and even more certain of the direction Tiana had taken in investigating how many kidney transplants

was diabolical. Would such a woman voluntarily ‘donate’ a

was filled

again, Whitney knew she had to reveal the truth

biggest worry after leaving was Natalie’s condition. She had to find a way to remove the toxins. Once they were cleared, Natalie might

clenched her fists tightly, her appetite

you send me a digital copy of the

the malicious people around Ludwik. He’s blind to it, and you

without her uncle’s kidnapping of Natalie, Elaine wouldn’t have had

always felt guilty

night, Whitney spent hours researching the toxin, drawing on the traditional medicine

a plan to infiltrate the TriMed Hospital as an insider, but Whitney was worried. So she rushed to the TriMed Hospital early in the

makes me more nervous. Besides, you’re too conspicuous for Elaine. I’m

immediate concern should be your engagement with Bryce. Haven’t you seen the news? Yesterday, the Lutz Group announced your engagement in five days, and that scumbag Ludwik has moved his engagement with Elaine up to four days from now. I wonder if it was Elaine who prompted Skyfaith to make the

deal out of their engagement. It’s likely to be a

the most prestigious bridal shop to choose a wedding gown tomorrow! Even if your