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.

I found the girl from TriMed Hospital!

Elaine’s kidney donation

of composure as she followed Bryce into the hotel’s

the Lutz family’s preference for

present

family, along with the formidable Hunter and Claire, were seated in

of honor.

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

Her makeup was light, and her smile was genuine. She willingly linked her arm

happiness. As the soft music played, they walked down the aisle together. The ceremony was a local tradition, so they

of the aisle, her smile remained, but inside, a tearful storm

the face of the man she once loved–his elegance, his stern affection, the things he’d done for her, and those that had hurt her. She bid farewell

suggested–perhaps even find peace away from the turmoil of love.

Whitney had to

master of ceremonies handed Whitney a teacup, pulling her from her reverie. She met

you’re shy about calling him ‘dad,‘ just call him ‘Hunter,“” Bryce

Hunter and Claire,” Whitney said, raising her cup with

“You must be due in a couple of months. If it were not for that video you two leaked, I’d have thought Bryce was just fooling around. We didn’t realize

wrapped an

large screen behind them suddenly flashed with an image, seizing

turning to the

confused, turned to see what

her head and saw the

she had taken only for Elaine, showing them under a blanket, their nakedness

was timestamped just a week ago, and

earth is going on?” the Lutz relatives

with the elders‘ disapproval.

He quickly barked orders to shut off

followed the photo, showing a ‘prenatal paternity test‘ with Whitney as the patient and