Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 296

The provocation was unprecedented, leaving Adriel staring in disbelief at Daniel, who had never spoken up before.

A kid nearby caught on and snickered, "Adriel, Daniel called you a meatball and said you're as burnt as toast!"

Adriel, inheriting his mother's chubby cheeks, despised comments about his weight and complexion the most.

Fuming, he charged forward, "Daniel, you little orphan, looking for trouble? I'll turn you into a punching bag. Come on, guys, let's get him." A group of kids circled around.

Sammy, cool as a cucumber amidst the chaos, flicked something from his pocket.

With a snap, he threw down some popping candy, startling everyone with the noise.

Then, taking a puff of his asthma inhaler just in case, he raised his fists, "I learned judo from my mom, taste this!"

Moments later, several kids lay defeated.

Adriel got the worst of it, nose bleeding, he ran off sobbing like a baby, "Teacher, teacher, Daniel's gone mad, hitting everyone!" Sammy, unfazed, just smiled.

This was perfect, especially if it led to parents being called.

This was his chance to turn the tables on Elaine's scheme, having noticed her leaving with Jemima...

Some truths needed to be exposed, especially to his worthless dad, oblivious to his son's struggles.

-

as he slipped behind the stairs, swiftly texting on

no time,

not home

her way back. What's going on, Sammy?" Sammy recounted the morning's incident, where mom

that mean

told you to go to the apartment, to comfort mom, and keep our secret from dad. If he finds out there's two of us, he'll try to take everything. Mom can't compete with his wealth." Danny sighed, unable to believe

mom and dad just get along and be a family? We're two adorable kids, they should

help but feel Danny inherited their

for not looking like my stepmom and

I'm convinced dad once loved mom. And mom, despite never mentioning dad these past years, I've seen her cry in her sleep. They argue without listening to each other, harboring hate because of misunderstandings. They need us to play cupid and sort things out." Danny lit

must've been some misunderstanding between him and mom. Plus, he seems to care about you. If there's been a scheme by some vile woman driving them apart, it's up to us to expose

praised anyone, but Sammy deserved

"Sammy, I've felt the same but struggled against Elaine. She's too convincing, and dad

unaware of the real world. I've been toughened up by mom. Wait till I deal with Elaine today. Oh,

the apartment door

comfort mom!" Sammy quickly advised before

voice, Sammy's heart ached, and he ended

smartwatch, hurried to her, "Mom,

nearly cried with relief, embracing her son tightly, "You scared me to death. Why didn't you fight back when he took

"How did you manage to escape? And why is your

"I didn't resist to protect you from dad. Once he took me, I threatened to jump out of the car

with me, after all. He had to learn somehow," Danny explained with flair, embodying Sammy's

pinch of skepticism. "Ludwik... I mean, your dad, he's not

'Sammy' closely. "Sammy, you gotta tell the truth. Let your

felt a burst of