Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 992

Cora whispered over the phone, her voice barely a rustle against the backdrop of the Fuller Mansion's expansive backyard, where the shadows of the night seemed to hold their breath. "Elaine, it's dead quiet back here. Nobody around. well-being... Then I lost the thread."

Around ten, Nolan stormed in, had a blazing row with the old man. I accidentally overheard him on the phone, calling someone 'Valerie'. He was saying something about getting a child back for treatment, claiming the Fuller family would spare no expense for the baby's "What?" Elaine gasped, her mind a whirlwind of shock and speculation.

Cora was an informant Elaine had planted within the Fuller household, a pawn in her game to curry favor with Ashton by feeding her insider information-bought with cash and promises.

But this...

Nolan calling 'Valerie' had to mean he was contacting her directly.

But... a child? What in the world?

Elaine's eyes widened in disbelief. Could Valerie have secretly had a child?

How could this be? That woman, silently plotting, hoping to trap Ashton with a child?

A dark fury blazed within Elaine, her breath hitched in panic at the thought. If that woman had indeed borne Ashton's child and he found out, Elaine's own schemes would become even more complicated. Her fists clenched tight, a mix of rage and malice coursing through her. If Valerie dared to show up with a child in tow...

She wouldn't hesitate to fight for Ashton's attention...

-

Emperor City.

Whitney stepped off the plane, a bundle of nerves, and rushed back to the Lippert family's quaint newly-purchased cottage.

out in the garden, tenderly watering the flowers with a small watering can, when she spotted Natalie waiting by the

of footsteps, her eyes warm and a touch awkward-after all, it was Jason Lippert who had invited

Mansion, with Ludwik

away in Banyan City, Natalie had stepped in

a hint of surprise

set down her watering can and turned, her white hair catching the light. "Oh dear, you're back! Did you settle everything in Banyan City?" Whitney searched for her children as she spoke, "Camilla, Natalie,

Bryce, not wanting to alarm

got a bit stir-crazy, so I took them to a class the other day. They've been a bit off since, though. I've had them on a strict nap

sensed something was

must have been scared, and perhaps Jason or

masking her worry. "They're napping now? I'll

voice

her luggage at the door, Whitney sanitized her hands and made her way to the children's room on the

her presence, Sammy sat up in bed, his big eyes fixing on her as

covers, a bandage with a spot of blood on

What

reached out,

to his lips, signaling

urging

LEGO workshop when Sammy noticed a bomb.

Bryce did

He's been watching us around the clock. That's how he knew we left the Lippert estate for the workshop," Sammy said, his young voice laced with a

Did Grandpa take you? Didn't he notice anything odd?"

good. Sammy didn't want to go anywhere too public, so we ended up at a LEGO class. But we never expected danger there! Bryce, that monster, had tampered with the classroom. Grandpa wasn't there, and the

smartphone app, he noticed a small red dot under the table. Curiosity got the best of us,