Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 272

"Hey, let's not get into that. Mom's got plenty of admirers. What's urgent is that I needed to talk to her about something important. I saw you at the mall earlier, quite unexpectedly. Is she around?"

Danny shook his head. "Mom had something important today, so she left me in the care of a friend."

Sammy chuckled. "Babysitting, huh? Looks like we've got to swap back then."

"Swap back already?" Danny pouted, reluctant to let go. He had just snuggled into Mom's embrace last night, while time with Ludwik was less cherished.

When would he see Mom again?

Seeing the longing look in his little brother's eyes, Sammy couldn't help but ask, "Got any troubles, Danny?"

"I don't want to go back to the mansion, to face Elaine. She forces me to go to preschool and deliberately put me in a class where I get bullied. When I get hit, she's pleased, then tells Dad it's all my fault for being mischievous, making Dad think I'm always causing trouble." "Man, that's rough! Had I known, I'd have gone to preschool in your place today and taught those kids a lesson."

Sammy frowned, a flicker of anger in his otherwise calm and clever eyes. But he quickly smiled and said, "Don't rush. After I've spoken to Mom, we'll find a chance to swap back. Then I'll sort things out at school for you and expose that wicked woman's scheme!" Even the usually stoic Danny couldn't help but chuckle at that, feeling a bit warmer inside. Having a brother was pretty awesome.

"Deal!" Danny said coolly. "I should go back and continue to annoy Ludwik."

The two shared a laugh.

Sammy pointed at their clothes, and they quickly swapped them back. Then, putting an arm around his little brother's shoulder, Sammy said, "Let's get you a smartwatch. Modify it a bit, and you can hide it. Then we can keep in touch secretly." Danny raised an eyebrow. "I can modify it myself."

"Really? You don't look it, but maybe you're a hacking genius like me?"

replied. His skills were something he never showed off, afraid Elaine would find out and target him even

older, you or me?"

she doesn't know yet, let's keep it a secret for now. Wouldn't want

"Right!"

from a dispenser. Then they bought matching smartwatches and pocketed them. Sammy told Danny he should hit the candy store. He himself sprinted towards the mall's train ride.

daughter close, shouting, "Sammy! Where have you run off

she loses her! Her anxious voice attracted a crowd. Nearby, a stunning couple was about to enter a high-end French

the man with sleek glasses glanced sideways. Endora Melford, trailing behind Parker Doonan, noticed Tiana holding her daughter,

his ear catching a familiar voice. "What's the

His subordinate was clueless.

crowd, then instructed,

immediately clinging to his arm. "It's just a woman looking for her child. What does it have to do with us? I'm hungry, let's order. This chef is my favorite, and he'll be off soon." She led him deeper into

looked down. Perhaps he was mistaken? That sweet, soft voice sounded so much like Tiana. He hadn't seen her in years, three to be exact. Banyan City wasn't that

feelings toward Tiana were complicated. They weren't close three years ago, but Whitney often contacted him, sticking close. Parker naturally assumed she liked him. But she cut ties so cleanly. Over these

You're

he thinking about that irrelevant woman? He already had Endora, and he was mostly grateful for her saving him

Endora's eyes darkened. She was relieved Parker hadn't seen Tiana and her daughter! Damn

this couldn't go on. She needed to somehow link Cherry and Parker's older brother, Barclay Doonan. She had to marry Parker smoothly.

-

a missing child announcement. Suddenly, a small figure dashed through the crowd towards her. The little shadow chased after her for a few meters, then a young,

a deep breath, hurried back, and squatted down to hug her daughter, looking at Sammy, almost rolling her eyes. "Where have you been? Sammy, we were

friend sure can

sparkling as he saw Tiana struggling to hold her daughter. He reached out with his little hands, hoisting 2-year-old Cherry into his arms, his voice full of an earnest apology, "It