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.

was surprised, clapping Nolan on the shoulder with a half-smirk, "What brings you back, man? Did

few days ago when you were in trouble,

lend a hand,

genuinely couldn't recall. That night he was downcast, seeing Cherry, it was Nolan and Ashton who helped

before passing it over,

about myself. I wanna know what

days, and I hear Elaine's back? And that pig, Ashton, is

back today, heard Elaine's staying in

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

anger, Parker was a bit puzzled, "He's your brother. He messes

Indeed, there was.

Big news!

in frustration, urging, "Just tell me

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.

the cigarette under his foot, his

Nolan?" Parker could sense Nolan was holding

you haven't

come back from? Any news on

pause, but thinking of Valerie's defiance

determined not to

situation doesn't allow her

couldn't bear 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 it weren't for the child's special circumstances, he wouldn't give

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

that, Nolan left

a

out of

didn't he?"

but nodded, "He did mention Valerie. Didn't

Tiana's breath caught, joy uncontrollably flooding her

Maplewood without a