Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 987

"Parker, Bryce is making moves in Empire City. I gotta head back now to protect the kids! Keep an eye on Elaine for me."

That sudden? If it involves Bryce, that scumbag, then it's definitely serious trouble.

Makes sense. Ashton and he both headed back to Maplewood, leaving a bunch of bodyguards behind, but who's to say Bryce won't seize the opportunity!

Thinking of Ludwik's request before he left for Eurovoria, Parker rubbed his temples, feeling a bit guilty.

Lately, his own mess has taken up so much of everyone's time, even making Whitney end up helping him.

As for Ashton... brainwashed by Elaine again. I heard Valerie vanished without a trace after their divorce, and Ashton hasn't sorted out his own mess.

Hoping for Ashton to return to Empire City is like waiting for a pie to fall from the sky.

First, gotta make sure Tiana's safe. But then, Whitney asked him to keep a close eye on Elaine...

While Parker was pondering, a tall shadow approached.

Parker, still focused on his phone, didn't notice until he saw Nolan approaching Tiana, "Parker, Nolan's here."

Parker looked up.

Nolan flashed Tiana a smile before turning back and waving at Parker.

The two men made eye contact.

Nolan looked travel-worn, as if he'd just returned from out of town, wearing a light coat that didn't match the climate of Maplewood.

It had been a while since Parker had seen Nolan.

Must be four or five months now. They had gone together to Empire City to assist Ludwik, but Nolan had to return to Maplewood midway, seemingly after Valerie's disappearance post-divorce with Ashton, Nolan had gone looking for Valerie. The brothers hadn't seen each other or had a proper conversation in a long time.

surprised, clapping Nolan on the shoulder with a half-smirk, "What brings you

ago when you were in trouble, you know."

rushes back to lend a hand, and he's

couldn't recall. That night he was downcast, seeing Cherry, it was Nolan

a cigarette before passing it over, "Your

talk about myself. I wanna know

evident, his handsome features twisted in anger, "I disappear for just a few days, and I hear Elaine's back? And that

just got back today, heard Elaine's staying in the hospital, can't

don't wanna hear Ashton's excuses, just tell me

your brother. He

Indeed, there was.

Big news!

frustration, urging,

cigarette, seeing Nolan's impatience, he spilled the beans about Elaine conspiring with Endora to kidnap his kid, then shaking off the blame and sticking to Ashton these past few days. Nolan was so angry he

foot, his tone icy, "Damn it, I'm gonna find

Nolan?" Parker could sense Nolan

like you haven't slept in

come back from? Any news

barrage of questions made Nolan pause, but thinking of Valerie's

determined not to return to Ashton's

doesn't allow her

it alone nor did he have the right to. He had no choice but to painfully consider letting go of Valerie, hoping to act as a mediator between her and Ashton. If

bringing Valerie back. So now, I'm off to negotiate with

that, Nolan

best friend's name, felt a pang in her heart but couldn't

out of

just mentioned Valerie, didn't he?" Tiana anxiously turned

"He did mention Valerie. Didn't

caught, joy uncontrollably flooding

the divorce, Valerie left Maplewood without