Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 446

After finishing up at the construction site, Shane pulled out his phone and flashed Whitney a grin, "Jared gave me your number. Let's keep in touch, okay?"

What?

Whitney felt a headache coming on as she watched Shane walk away with that smug smile.

Bryce, standing nearby, watched their interaction and could sense the truth - Shane was another suitor trying to win Whitney over after she returned home.

A flicker of tension flashed in Bryce's eyes.

Just then, Whitney's phone rang. It was Hudson calling.

She stepped aside to answer, "Dad?"

"Whitney, where are you? Tonight's dinner is at Sheldon Manor, you should start heading back. Do you want Dad to send a driver?"

Right, Whitney had almost forgotten about that.

"I'm checking out a property in the suburbs, but I ran into Mr. Nelson. He said you gave him my number, Dad..."

"Ah, haha..." Hudson dodged the subject, "Mr. Nelson is a promising young man with good character. Dad just wants to help you move on... Besides, having a love interest could keep away those unwanted pests like Justin, right?"

Whitney was speechless, not knowing what to say.

After hanging up, she checked the time; it was getting late. Looking up, Bryce was quietly waiting with a smile, "Was that your dad on the phone? Jared... seems like he's trying to set you up with a boyfriend?"

His tone carried a hint of melancholy, leaving Whitney at a loss for words. To console? That didn't seem right either.

"Family meddling, I'm not interested."

She quickly changed the subject, scratching at her hair, "Sorry, Bryce, I have to head back home. I can't join you for dinner, you go ahead and rest. I'll come see you tomorrow..."

She hadn't invited him to Sheldon Manor to meet her father?

A shadow crossed Bryce's face, but he managed a smile, "That's alright, I could use some rest anyway."

"I'll leave my car with you; my father's sending someone to pick me up... they're already here."

Receiving a text on her phone, Whitney walked out with Bryce following behind.

Watching her get into the car, Bryce didn't move, his gaze deep in thought. Returning to Sheldon Manor meant Whitney was back to being untouchable, even her suitors were from families like the Nelsons.

Squinting slightly, Bryce lit a cigarette, contemplating. He needed to meet Jared, make an appearance, whether it was to vie for her or to network with Emperor City's elites.

Biting on his cigarette, Bryce opened the trunk, noticing the line of gifts Whitney had prepared. She must have forgotten them.

His eyes narrowed slightly at the disappearing Sheldon family car...

---

Sheldon Manor sat at the foot of Brew Hill, an old-money mansion belonging to one of Emperor City's established families.

As Whitney got out of the car to check the trunk, she suddenly remembered the gifts she had prepared for Jared were still in Bryce's car...

Rubbing her temples in frustration, she was about to call Bryce—

But that familiar BMW was already winding up the hill.

Bryce's tall figure stepped out of the car, conspicuously standing in front of Sheldon Manor, "Whitney, you left your things in the car..."

As Whitney approached him, she caught the curious glances of Sienna and others from the house's doorway.

She tensed up, instinctively frowning, "Bryce, thanks for that, but why did you follow me here?"