Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 694

Three years ago, during their last harmonious Thanksgiving dinner, he stood behind her, feverish, his hands guiding hers through the recipe, leaving her with memories so vivid that each time she made that dish, she couldn't help but recall the warmth of his breath on her neck.

...And there she was, drifting off again.

Whitney snapped back to the present, annoyed at her wandering thoughts, and served Bryce another helping. "Eat up, you've lost too much weight with all that overtime."

"Pfft!" Tiana couldn't help but spit out her drink in a perfectly timed comedic spit-take.

Whitney shot her a look. "What's gotten into you today? You’re acting more unruly than Sammy. At least he can eat without making a mess."

Big sister... I'm about to die from holding in my frustration, okay?

Do you honestly think he's lost weight from working overtime? He's been fooling around!

Whitney, bless her, was completely oblivious to Bryce's deceit.

But it wasn't entirely her fault. After all, Bryce was a master of concealment. If it weren't for Whitney accidentally seeing Audrey, she would have been none the wiser.

"With your lovingly cooked dinners every night, I'll gain back the weight in no time," Bryce said with a gentle blink, then sighed. "The Lutz Group is making a big push in the market right now, and I've been swamped.

But no matter how hard it gets, I want to strive for a better future for us,

Whitney, I love you, and I want our home to shine.

That's why I proposed that the Lutz Group and the Sheldon Group consider deep collaboration, to combine our strengths."

Tiana felt like she was going to vomit listening to his lofty speech.

Had she not seen him sneaking off to Audrey's after work, she might have bought his act.

And there he was, shamelessly talking about a collaboration between the Lutz and Sheldon Groups...

Tiana, barely keeping her smirk in check, interrupted, "Mr. Lutz, don't make your intentions too obvious.

You've only been married to Whitney for a short while, and already your hands are reaching for the Sheldon Group?"

Bryce was taken aback, not expecting Tiana to speak so bluntly.

He thought she had started to see him in a better light recently.

"Ms. Melford, what are you implying? I have no such intentions towards the Sheldon Group. You're misunderstanding."

Bryce forced a polite smile.

Tiana, seeing the disgust hidden beneath his facade, sneered internally, "I was just making a joke, Mr. Lutz. Why so sensitive? Guilty conscience, perhaps?"

Bryce's expression darkened as he slowly turned his gaze towards her.

Tiana stirred her bowl of food, feigning amusement, "Whitney thinks Mr. Lutz has been losing weight from all the work. But to me, Mr. Lutz seems more vibrant than ever, basking in the glow of... what, exactly?"

Bryce's eyes narrowed slightly.

Whitney, clueless about Tiana's insinuations, felt a mix of confusion and irritation. She glanced at Bryce and forced a smile, "Tiana, Bryce has always been like this. Stop making things up; you're the liveliest one at the table.”

Tiana pouted, realizing Whitney hadn’t picked up on her hints.

"Yeah, how else am I supposed to look? Ms. Melford, you're getting more entertaining by the minute. And I'm not that old to be lacking in vigor, am I?" Bryce replied, his words lacking sincerity.

Tiana took a sip of her soup, swallowing down her mockery, then turned to Whitney, “You haven't solidified your position at the Sheldon Group yet. Jumping into major projects now could unsettle the shareholders. They might start doubting your capabilities as the future CEO.

Perhaps it's best to wait until your father recovers before making any decisions about collaborating with Mr. Lutz."

Whitney had been thinking along the same lines.

It was challenging to outright reject Bryce, given their legal marital status, but she nodded in agreement, "My father should be waking up soon, anyway."

At any rate, it was crucial for her to unveil the true colors of this dreadful man. Tonight, he broached a collaboration right off the bat, possibly aiming to fully infiltrate the Sheldon Group. Once he had the Sheldon Group in his grasp, who's to say he wouldn't discard Whitney like yesterday's news, maybe even seek revenge on her?

Tiana shuddered all over. Standing up, she said in a peculiar tone, “I heard from Danny that you haven’t...you know, shared a bed with him yet. That’s wise, Whitney. Follow your heart. Give me a few days.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Whitney’s face flushed with awkwardness, utterly clueless about what waiting a few days meant.

However, Tiana just patted her shoulder and left.

Whitney felt that Tiana suddenly had reservations about Bryce. In fact, Whitney was also investigating Bryce, but she hadn’t had the chance to tell Tiana, nor did she know if she should.

Guess she’d wait for Shane’s input.

Sammy was hiding behind the couch, observing Tiana’s serious expression and the mysterious gleam in her eyes.

What was Tiana telling Mom? Was it about Bryce?

What did waiting a few days mean?

Too bad he was tied up with important matters at the moment and couldn’t figure out what Tiana was up to.

-

Over at Ashton’s mansion.

Ludwik was burning up with a high fever, having slept through half the day, only to wake up after dusk.

His room door swung open, and a small figure walked in, eyes rimmed red, holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup - the universal comfort food.

Ludwik, feeling miserable, blinked open his eyes in surprise and hoarseness, “Danny… son, what brings you here?”