Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 517

"Sure thing," Parker replied, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel-a giveaway to his reluctance. "Going to check on Tiana?" Parker's expression stiffened at the mention.

"Who's going to see her? If I'm visiting anyone, it's my little niece."

The image of Cherry's chubby cheeks popped into Parker's mind, but the term 'little niece' seemed to choke him up.

Ludwik slid into the passenger seat, his deep-set eyes half-closed, saying nothing.

As Parker drove out of the underground parking, he handed Ludwik a cigarette and glanced at the towering headquarters of the Lippert Group through the car window. "I heard Florence was looking for you at the office today. You left as soon as she arrived and gave her the cold shoulder in front of everyone. What are people going to think about your engagement?"

Ludwik looked up, unbothered. "What others think is none of my business. Is her embarrassment my doing?"

Parker got the hint, raising an eyebrow. "She pushed you into an engagement deal and now you're getting back at her? Fair enough. Florence always did have a taste for power, let her swallow the bitter pill. I thought you were engaging her as part of some scheme to lure out Sammy. But tearing into her like this, what's your real plan?"

With a cold glint in his eyes, Ludwik said, "Let her sweat it out. When she's desperate enough to salvage our relationship and comes begging, that's when I'll make my move."

Parker nodded in agreement, giving a thumbs up. "She's kept Sammy well-hidden. We need to catch her off-guard to get any information."

"Right," Ludwik agreed, leaning back and checking the time, frowning. "Speed up."

Parker chuckled. "Dude, we're in the city! That eager to see Whitney?"

He closed his eyes, not denying it.

---

Bryce took his leave.

Whitney was helping Tiana pack her bags when the doorbell rang. Unsure who it might be, she sent Danny to answer it.

Cherry sprinted ahead of Danny, climbed onto a stool, and unlocked the door.

she stumbled

"Oops..."

and eyes. His heart skipped a beat. "Daddy!" Cherry recognized the handsome uncle she'd seen

almost thought he had a

sweet call of "daddy"

you gotta

want you to hold

Tiana was stunned

slightly. He'd

cool voice cut through Ludwik's thoughts. "What

the doorway, his gaze searching the room for Whitney. He took

see you!" Danny's tone

to see her," Ludwik admitted

to show up like this, especially after he'd just managed to send Bryce packing-not to help

hadn't sent him away, I would've found a way to make him leave," Ludwik said, lowering his voice to speak to his

could endure it, so she didn't take any of her own meds. But, Ludwik, why shouldn't Mama take her medicine?" Ludwik's expression

too young to understand. "Okay, I'll keep an eye on

ruffled his

amused. Only Ludwik could

the door

"Danny, is it the

gaze suddenly met Ludwik's. The tall man's

turned cold, her brows knitting

distance, his eyes lingering on her indifferent expression. "Don't get

found herself speechless, unable to

her midsection, and she instinctively turned away. "Danny!

to see him, but Ludwik's

here?" he asked, not stepping any further, trying

Tiana's luggage in a corner of Whitney's

"Seems crowded here. What do