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?"

Danny modestly replied. His skills were something he never showed off, afraid Elaine

you or me?"

since she doesn't know yet, let's keep it a secret for now. Wouldn't want her to faint from the shock

"Right!"

masks from a dispenser. Then they bought matching smartwatches and pocketed them. Sammy told Danny he should hit the candy

her daughter close, shouting,

her! Her anxious

trailing behind Parker Doonan,

ear catching a

His subordinate was clueless.

the crowd, then

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,

Tiana. He hadn't seen her in years, three to be exact. Banyan City wasn't that big, and he'd heard from Nolan Fuller how badly she was doing. But why did she reject his help so vehemently,

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 three years, he's been slightly annoyed, harboring a hint of

about? You're zoning out,"

stiffened, his handsome features turning rigid. Damn it, why was he thinking about that irrelevant woman?

his expression neutral as he led her inside. Endora clung tighter to him, blocking his view and attention. Once the private room's door shut, Endora's eyes darkened. She was relieved Parker hadn't seen Tiana and her daughter! Damn it, why was Tiana, broke as she was, loitering in upscale places? She couldn't let Parker find out

brother, Barclay Doonan. She

-

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, warm voice called out, "Pretty lady! I'm right here." Tiana turned around to see Sammy, dressed neatly, with a

Sammy, almost rolling her eyes. "Where have you been? Sammy, we were enjoying the train ride. I know you

friend sure can

into his arms, his voice full of an earnest apology, "It was my oversight, sorry about that. I dashed to the bathroom, bladder emergency, didn't have a chance to