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.

too quickly, and she

"Oops..."

pink bundle with familiar brows and eyes. His heart skipped a beat. "Daddy!" Cherry recognized the handsome uncle she'd

moment, Parker almost thought

call of "daddy" surged through his

you gotta

I want you to hold

Tiana was stunned

glimpse of Parker and the little girl, his brows furrowing slightly. He'd seen Barclay before,

voice cut through Ludwik's thoughts. "What are

the doorway, his gaze searching the room for

doesn't want to see you!" Danny's tone

matter. I want to see

after he'd just managed to send

him away, I would've found a way to make him leave," Ludwik said, lowering his voice to speak to his

endure it, so she didn't take any of her own meds. But, Ludwik, why shouldn't Mama take her medicine?" Ludwik's expression was serious. "Taking medicine carelessly isn't good for her. She's been a bit weak lately, and you need to watch over her for her own

but too young to understand.

softly ruffled

silently amused. Only Ludwik could handle his clever

door gentlemanly before

"Danny,

met Ludwik's. The tall man's presence

cold,

her indifferent expression. "Don't get me wrong. I'm here to see

speechless, unable to ask

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

see him, but Ludwik's mood darkened at her

staying here?" he asked, not stepping

Tiana's luggage in

"Seems crowded here. What do you think, Ms.