Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 662

Barclay shot back with no hint of politeness.

Jarvis narrowed his eyes, grabbing Barclay by the collar in a swift motion.

"What the hell..." Barclay, notorious for his fiery and brash temperament, was about to retaliate when Jarvis cut in, his interest piqued.

"Did I hear you right? You said your family, the Doonans, has some connections with the president, didn't you?"

"So what if we do? Who the hell are you?"

"General Manager of Patrick Enterprises in Harmonia Country, Jarvis at your service. Barclay, your family has been on our radar for a while now, especially since Parker went missing. Heard he's the ninth heir of the Doonan clan. Your old man must be frantic, sending you to Emperor City to find your brother, right?"

Jarvis let out a sly smirk, raising an eyebrow, "Well, I know exactly what happened to Parker. He was taken out by Ludwik's goons!

Justin of the Lippert clan—Ludwik's cousin—had Parker cornered and shot him at an old brick factory..."

"What?" Barclay exploded, "So the rumors are true? The Lipperts are behind Parker's disappearance?

Damn that Ludwik, where was he when his cousin pulled the trigger on Parker?

Parker considered him a brother, always running errands for Ludwik, only to end up sacrificing his own life!"

"Maybe he's not dead yet, but the longer we wait, the slimmer his chances get."

Jarvis's eyes gleamed with a cunning plan. "Want to force Ludwik into spilling where Parker is?"

"Hell yeah!" How else could Barclay face old Mr. Doonan back home?

He had never been the responsible type, more interested in the high life than family duties. If he could pull this off, the old man might finally entrust him with a portion of the family business—and with it, the money.

Barclay had a gambling problem, nearly squandering the family fortune.

This made Parker's mother, Riley, increasingly influential.

Jarvis had done his homework, well aware of Barclay's vulnerabilities.

"I can help you with that. Not only that, but if you do as I say..."

Jarvis's voice trailed off into the wind, "Didn't you say your family has ties with the president? Use that to your advantage, help me with this, and I'll clear your 2 billion gambling debt."

Barclay's eyes widened.

"Not just clear it, I'll throw in another billion for you to get back on your feet, regain your status in the Doonan family."

To a gambler, money is life itself.

After a moment of thought, Barclay's brows furrowed decisively, "Deal, Ashton. As long as you keep your word, Ludwik owes Parker his life anyway."

-

As evening fell, Whitney and Tiana returned to the villa.

To their surprise, Sammy was also home.

Whitney, overjoyed, asked, "Son, what brings you back? When did you arrive?"

Sammy blinked tenderly, keeping to himself that after his mom single-handedly ousted Florence from the Sheldon Group, Florence was in deep trouble.

Her illegitimate status was now public knowledge, putting the Sheldon mother and daughter under more scrutiny.

He wouldn't have to "pretend" to stay at Ryan's place any longer.

Of course, he couldn't say that.

"I heard from Danny you were sick, mom. I was worried, so I came back to check on you."

And now, this wedding. Could it be Ludwik swooping in and stealing his bride was the wake-up call Bryce needed? Did he finally realize he truly loved Whitney and couldn't bear to lose her?

So much so that he'd accept Whitney, even with her blemished past?

Tiana was riddled with questions.

Watching her bestie furrow her brow in silence, Whitney blinked, "You don't believe he's really okay with me and Ludwik?"

Tiana sighed, "From what little I understand about men and from my own experiences, he can't possibly be okay with it.

But maybe, Bryce really does love you that deeply. So much so that he's willing to suffer in silence.

It's rare to find a man willing to turn a blind eye like that.

He's asking for your dedication now, looks like you're in it for the long haul."

"Yeah," Whitney murmured, looking down. "I felt like a total jerk when I brought it up the other day. He seemed really hurt.

It wouldn't be fair of me to treat him that way, emotionally or ethically."

Tiana raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of admiration and unease. Bryce's deep affection was almost too good to be true. But part of her couldn't help feeling anxious. Was Bryce genuinely that forgiving?

His devotion seemed almost... excessive.

Yet, she didn't voice these concerns to Whitney. For now, she chose to trust Bryce.

After all, he had been Whitney's knight in shining armor.

As they exited the restroom, a thought struck Tiana, prompting her to hesitantly say, "Whitney... I heard the Lippert family is planning to sell off the Lippert Resort in Brew Hill."

Whitney paused, taken aback.