Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 318

Tiana didn't verbalize these thoughts; instead, she just implored, "Just be careful on your way, okay? And about last night at the party, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

"What are you talking about? It was me who slowed you down. You were trying to help revive my family's fortune, and I got taken down by Endora…"

"I won't let it happen again. I've realized, what's reputation worth, anyway? I need to learn to be as resilient as you. Anyone who's ever bullied me…"

"I'll help you get back at them!" Whitney declared with conviction.

Tiana was moved and hugged her tightly.

"Whitney, you made my mommy cry!" Cherry wobbled over.

"Sweetie, it's not like that. They’re just having a heart-to-heart," Sammy explained.

Whitney paused for a moment, feeling as if her warm-hearted son had returned. Just yesterday, 'Sammy' was giving Cherry the cold shoulder.

Only Cherry knew what was really going on as she winked at her brother.

They said their goodbyes at the door.

Held by the nanny, Tiana went outside to hail a cab.

At ten in the morning, the streets were congested, and the driver couldn't get through. Tiana had to walk a bit to meet him.

"Mummy…" Cherry felt uneasy outside.

She wriggled out of the nanny's arms and chased after her mother…

But with her short legs and wobbly steps, she soon lost sight of Tiana. When Cherry realized what had happened, she found herself standing alone at the curb, surrounded by traffic.

"Waaa, Mummy, where are you?" The young girl stood bewildered, on the verge of darting around in panic.

Suddenly, a Hummer approached, and Cherry's mouth formed an 'O' as she screamed, "Ah, Mummy, save me!"

"Parker?" a voice came from the car.

"Damn, hit a kid," Parker muttered, catching a glimpse of a pink corner of clothing and the puffy face of a little girl on the ground.

In that moment, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat. His long legs kicked the car door open, and he rushed out.

"Hey there, kiddo, you alright?" the man's deep voice resonated.

Cherry's tiny palm was scraped and bleeding as she cried inconsolably.

Turning her head, her tear-streaked eyes met the towering figure before her. Wow, he was tall!

And his face, strikingly handsome, seemed like something out of a comic book.

Ah~ He's so handsome, even more so than her brothers, Cherry thought, instantly smitten.

But why did this handsome man look so much like her?

Then it clicked. She had seen him on TV before, and her mommy had quickly turned it off!

Stunned, Cherry was still processing when strong arms lifted her.

The embrace was warm. Cherry tilted her head, looked at Parker for two seconds, and then sweetly hugged his neck, "Daddy~!"

At that moment, Parker, through his glasses, got a clear view of the little girl's features.

His heart seized, his face frozen in a mix of shock, confusion, and bewilderment.

"Cherry!"

A woman's tender voice sounded from behind, frantic and worried, "You little rascal, how dare you run off? Do you have any idea how worried Mummy was?"

Hearing that voice, Parker felt a pang of familiarity. He hesitated before turning around.

Seeing Tiana's petite face, the man's enigmatic eyes deepened.

Mummy?

Parker's lips stiffened. Tiana, this woman, had secretly had a child in the past three years? He felt a tightness in his chest.

But why... did this little girl look so much like him?

Just an hour ago, he had called to berate her, and now this? Was he playing some kind of twisted game?

Loving Elaine in his heart but still sleeping with her; did he intend to have it both ways? Clearly, a scoundrel.

She tossed it aside, her expression darkening.

"Mommy... Did you and the jerk have a 'fight' last night, and that's why you need the medicine?"

"Cough, cough!" Faced with her son's probing, Whitney coughed violently, "How did you know we 'fought'?"

"Please, I was outside the room, okay." It was actually Danny who had been there.

God, Whitney thought, wanting to bang her head against the wall for being overheard by her son. Thank goodness he didn't understand!

Feeling guilty and regretful, she could only awkwardly promise, "Yeah, we had a fight, but it won't happen again. Mommy guarantees it!"

"Mommy, you're not one to give up. Next time, you gotta beat that jerk!" Sammy encouraged her instead.

"... Whitney's lips quivered slightly, "Just wait here, sweetie. Mommy needs to take care of our bags, then we'll get ourselves a new room."

There was no way she was letting her son into the room where she and Ludwik had their quarrels.

Late into the night, after tending to her tasks, Whitney returned to Banyan City with Sammy in tow.

She wondered why Ludwik hadn't shown up to fight for custody, but then she figured, maybe the jerk felt too guilty for what he’d done.

As they disembarked, Whitney powered on her phone, scrolling through her messages while waiting for their luggage.

A text caught her eye, glaring with its brief message: "Help me."

Whitney paused, a jolt of concern shooting through her. An unknown number?

It clicked in her head suddenly, Jaxon!

Something had happened to Jaxon... Of course, the Bartels were behind this. Whitney read the message again; it was sent two hours ago!

Damn it, her phone had been off for exactly the duration of the flight. Without hesitation, Whitney dialed Bryce—