Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 227

“Listen, girl,” Bryce declared, his voice a blend of solemnity and tenderness. “I only plan to walk down the aisle once in my life, and I want it to be with one woman only.”

“Mr. Lutz, please, can we not talk about this?” Whitney’s heart hammered in her chest, fearing their relationship might sour.

Fortunately, he soon released her, sighing with a sense of resignation. “You’re too guarded when it comes to love. Guess sweet–talking you isn’t going to cut it, huh? Looks like I’ll have to win over your heart the old–fashioned way. Good thing I’ve got plenty of time. Consider all the perks of having me as your man.”

Whitney could not help but chuckle, the tension easing.

After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Everything okay with the Lutz Group these past few days? And you? Anything out of the ordinary? Make sure there’s extra security at the engagement party tomorrow, okay?”

Bryce narrowed his eyes in thought. “What’s worrying you?”

She recalled Ludwik’s threatening words at the bridal boutique and could not shake off a sense

of unease.

“Nothing specific, just… be careful, that’s all.”

“I know what’s got you spooked. Don’t worry, I’m not defenseless. The Lutz Group has clout here in Banyan City. I haven’t done anything illegal. If anyone wants to start trouble, they’d need a damn good reason,” Bryce said with steady confidence.

Whitney let out a small sigh of relief and yawned. “It’s getting late, Bryce. You should head

home.”

He seemed pleased with her use of his name, squeezing her hand. “I’ll pick you up in the morning, my lovely fiancée.”

With his bodyguards stationed at the door, Whitney closed it behind her, feeling secure. Yet, sleep eluded her that night, her eyes wide until dawn.

The engagement party was set at the Hilton Hotel near Bryce’s mansion for convenience’s sake.

“Whitney, I found the girl from TriMed Hospital! I have to see her. I’ll be

truth behind Elaine’s kidney donation surgery

of composure as she followed Bryce

understated, befitting the Lutz family’s preference for privacy,

and some shareholders were present due to

along with the formidable Hunter

of honor.

low–key as it gets,” Bryce whispered gently, noting her preference for simplicity. “Still,

grateful for the modest setting. Her makeup was light, and her smile

played, they walked down the aisle together. The ceremony was a local tradition, so they were to

each step toward the end of the aisle, her smile remained, but inside,

he’d done for her,

suggested–perhaps even find peace away from the turmoil of

more of him. Whitney had to get used to

Whitney a teacup, pulling her from her reverie. She met Hunter’s imposing gaze for the

about calling him ‘dad,‘ just call him ‘Hunter,“” Bryce joked softly.

said, raising her cup with

not for that video you two leaked, I’d have thought Bryce was just fooling around. We didn’t realize he had jumped the gun! You’ve been through a lot these past months. Once the baby

wrapped an arm around her

tea ceremony concluded, the large screen behind them suddenly flashed

Lutz relatives gasped in shock, turning to the elders.

to see what

heart sank as she raised her head and saw the intimate photo of

taken only for Elaine, showing them under a blanket, their

photo was timestamped just a week ago,

on earth is going on?” the

grew heavy with the elders‘

turning to disbelief. He quickly barked orders to shut off the screen,

showing a ‘prenatal paternity test‘ with Whitney as the patient and Ludwik as the