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.

door swung open too quickly, and she stumbled forward

"Oops..."

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

a moment, Parker almost thought he

"daddy"

you gotta get

Daddy, I want you to hold me!" Cherry clung to Parker's

was stunned at the

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

voice cut through Ludwik's thoughts. "What are you

searching the room for Whitney. He took

want to see you!" Danny's tone was icy, his demeanor

doesn't matter. I want to see

how shameless Ludwik was to show up like this, especially after he'd just managed to send Bryce packing-not to help Ludwik, but because he

leave," Ludwik said, lowering his voice to speak

stopped her. Mama said she could endure it, so she didn't take any of her own meds. But, Ludwik,

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

softly ruffled his son's

was silently amused. Only Ludwik could handle

knocked on the door gentlemanly before

her hands, approached. "Danny, is it the hotel's

tall man's

cold, her brows

indifferent expression. "Don't

herself speechless, unable

midsection, and she instinctively turned away. "Danny! Your guest is here. I'd suggest

to see him, but

asked, not stepping any further, trying to engage her

Tiana's luggage in a corner of

crowded here. What