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 back, man? Did you find Valerie? What's with the

when you were in trouble,

rushes back to lend a hand, and he's treated like he's

Cherry, it was Nolan and

a lighter, lighting a cigarette before passing it over, "Your sudden appearances and disappearances, man, what's

about myself. I wanna know what the hell is going on with

evident, his handsome features twisted in anger, "I disappear for just a few days, and

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

to you. I don't wanna hear Ashton's excuses, just tell me straight, what's

his friend's face turn pale with anger, Parker was a bit puzzled, "He's your brother. He messes up,

Indeed, there was.

Big news!

together in frustration, urging, "Just tell me

Nolan's impatience, he spilled the beans about Elaine conspiring with Endora to kidnap his kid, then shaking off the blame and

crushed the cigarette under his foot, his tone icy, "Damn

Parker could sense Nolan was

look like you haven't

back from? Any news on

barrage of questions made Nolan pause, but thinking of Valerie's defiance before he left made him

determined not

doesn't allow

did he have the right to. He had no choice but to painfully consider letting go of Valerie, hoping to act

Valerie back. So now, I'm

Nolan left in

friend's name, felt a pang in

rushed out of

just mentioned Valerie, didn't he?"

just as clueless but nodded, "He did mention Valerie. Didn't give away much else, but it seems

breath caught, joy uncontrollably flooding her

left Maplewood without a trace, unreachable