Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 792

The two little rascals were momentarily stunned.

A guilty shiver ran through Danny, as if he had a premonition that Mom was about to settle scores come fall.

"Mom, what are you... no, no, nothing!" Danny immediately stammered, shaking his head.

His look of utter cluelessness was something Whitney couldn't bear to witness; lying just wasn't in his nature.

Sammy, on the other hand, gave his brother a look that screamed 'really?', clearly unimpressed by Danny's attempt at deceit. Their secret was out.

Whitney, trying her best to look stern, said, "I'm giving you two troublemakers one more chance to tell me the truth."

Danny, completely at a loss, turned to Sammy for help.

Sammy, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else, reluctantly admitted, "Mom, we're sorry... it wasn't on purpose. We just wanted to find out who hurt you. And then Danny decided to call Ludwik to... you know, get back at them."

Whitney wasn't sure how much the kids had overheard and suddenly felt a pang of nervousness. Annoyed, she asked, "What exactly did you tell him? You didn't repeat everything I said last night, did you? About me not loving Bryce anymore, that marrying him was just to save Sammy or out of gratitude, and that I don't even want to be close to him..."

"Nothing like that!" Danny was quick to assure her, shaking his head vehemently. "I definitely didn't tell Dad that you don't love Bryce anymore, that you married him just to save Sammy or because you were grateful, and that you don't even want to be close to him..." "Shut it," Whitney cut him off, her face flushed with embarrassment. These little eavesdroppers missed nothing.

If Ludwik got wind of these conversations, there would be hell to pay.

She said firmly, "You mustn't repeat any of this to him."

Ludwik would only become more

Whitney. "Mom, you don't love

headache coming on, her cheeks burning even brighter. "Stop talking nonsense.

I will make sure to ruin any chance of a girlfriend for him. Not even a mosquito will get close to him,

at her wit's end

don't meddle in adult matters. Go on, you should

and I want to talk about Bryce," Sammy

a glint of resolve in Sammy's big eyes, she began to

you suspect there's more to Bryce than meets the eye. What are

Yet, she needed to quickly find out what connection, if any, Bryce had to Tiana's disappearance. She had

with computers. If you're trying to investigate Bryce,

do something so risky," Whitney said,

further, simply holding Whitney's hand and saying, "When you need my help, we'll work together, Mom. Anyone who tries to hurt you won't get away with it. On this, Ludwik and I are on the same page." Whitney's expression softened at

smiled, "I understand. But the situation with Bryce is complicated. Ending the marriage isn't as simple as just

friend of yours. I'll get in touch with him,"

had her social circles

his head, somewhat resignedly, "Alright, you and Danny better head on in. I've got to get

Whitney headed straight to the

her, holding a large bouquet of flowers and an expensive gift box containing a pair of limited edition sapphire earrings. He looked genuinely remorseful as he spoke, "Whitney, please, I'm begging you not to be mad anymore. I was wrong that night. I shouldn't have raised my hand to you.

was just so scared of losing you," he said,

Whitney remained silent, torn.

But now,

her. "Bryce, are