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.”

worry about. My mother doesn’t bite. You just help me

him say this, Whitney

to the private room

“Mr. Lutz, the blood test results

partly why I wanted to see you today. I sent samples to two different full-service

phone

expression turned grave

As she had suspected, it would gradually accumulate in the liver and kidneys, hastening the

Ludwik’s doctors had failed to detect

state, seemed worry-free, as if she wasn’t concerned about her waking

Natalie wouldn’t live

could cause renal failure within hours in

causing Natalie’s kidneys to fail and necessitate a transplant, then administered

certain of the direction Tiana had taken in investigating how many kidney transplants happened at the hospital that

kidney was diabolical. Would

was filled

from harming Natalie again, Whitney knew she had to reveal the truth to

to find a way to remove

Whitney clenched her fists

you send me a digital copy

yourself for the malicious people around Ludwik. He’s blind to it, and you don’t have to take the fault on yourself,”

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

always felt guilty towards

hours researching the toxin, drawing on the traditional medicine knowledge her mother

she rushed to the TriMed Hospital early in the morning, intending to investigate the kidney transplant patient situation with

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

that scumbag Ludwik

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

going to the most prestigious bridal shop to choose a wedding gown tomorrow! Even if your engagement with Bryce is fake, I don’t want