Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 907

Brenda's fingernails dug into her palm until they drew blood, ignoring Matthew's horrified warning glances. With a cold, bitter laugh, she looked up at Tiana and said deliberately, "Your dad's situation? Begging us won't help, Ms. Melford. We can't do anything about it. He's going down as a murderer..."

Brenda's voice dropped to a whisper, "My husband's sister is the grand dame of the Doonan family."

Tiana paused, as if she didn't understand, then slowly, her eyes widened in shock.

Brenda smirked through her pain, "Got it now? The Caldwell family's got a big backer, and that's the Doonan family. If you're so capable, go find the Doonan family."

Tiana was thunderstruck. The grand dame of the Doonan family... wasn't that Barclay's mother? She knew that Barclay and Parker were half-siblings.

It hit her like a lightning strike.

This whole situation was tied to the Doonan family, to Barclay's mom, which meant...

Her teeth clenched tightly, and she let out a cold shiver.

After going round and round... it turned out her family, the Melford family, had been played.

Barclay, you scoundrel, what did I ever do to you?

Tiana left Matthew's hospital room in a daze, with Frank trailing behind her. She turned and struck him hard with her elbow, "Didn't Thomas ever tell you he was close with Barclay?"

"No... he never told me anything."

"You blockhead! My dad got dragged into this mess because of you. Thomas targeted you first to get to my dad! Why didn't you check the Caldwell Estate's backing, the Doonan family, when you were dealing with the mortgage?!"

Frank was clueless, "Sis, it's not my fault. I had no idea!

But what you just said, it all makes sense. You're way smarter than me, and your analysis is spot on.

I just realized, getting involved in the mortgage with Thomas was a trap from the start.

And that suspicion you had, it suddenly hit me. I can testify for my uncle; he didn't mean to kill anyone! Thomas provoked him. I vaguely heard Thomas insulting you, saying you got knocked up with another bastard child in Emperor City, and calling you the most disgusting slut in Banyan City... My uncle just lost it. He couldn't believe it and asked Thomas where he got his information, then all I heard was smashing... Thomas must have kept on taunting him, and my uncle snapped."

Frank looked at Tiana with teary eyes.

Frank also showed pain, "It's not just you, even I know how much my uncle has suffered these past years. The ridicule he faced for your situation, it's been a source of deep depression for him."

Tiana's eyes widened in agony as she half-bent over, covering her tear-streaked face. She dug her nails into the cold wall, "Dad... I'm so sorry, I've let you down again! Dad..."

Her father's mental state had been unstable over the past three years, blaming her, yet how could he not love and protect his own daughter?

Tiana felt a heart-wrenching pain, realizing her father couldn't take Thomas's insults anymore. He had reacted and hurt someone.

And the news of her pregnancy, only a few in Emperor City knew.

Including Barclay, that vile man.

It was him... surely, he had deliberately let Thomas tell her father, provoking him, ultimately forcing him to strike first, leading to disaster.

No... Tiana refused to believe that her father, with his skills, could have accidentally killed Thomas.

Thomas's death might have another explanation. If this was all Barclay's doing, there was definitely more to the story!

Wiping her tears fiercely, she got up and stormed out of the hospital.

Her frustration simmered below the surface, her voice hoarse, "When will you start treating me like a true friend?

Tiana, after such a massive blow hit your dad, I can't believe you didn't think to tell me first. You just snuck back to Banyan City on your own? So, tell me, have you managed to sort it out?"

Whitney was seething with frustration.

But Tiana knew she had every right to be angry.

Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze, "I was just so panicked, Whitney, I'm sorry."

"You've always been like this, tackling problems on your own. I've failed as a friend!" Whitney stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight hug.

It was only when she was engulfed in her embrace that Tiana's tears, which had been teetering on the edge, began to fall freely.

A sob broke through her feigned strength as her anxiety spilled over.

Gently, Whitney wiped away the tears streaking her face, bending down to make eye contact, her voice soft yet firm, "It's okay, I'm here now. Listen, do you think the Whitney of today can't handle a local police station?"

Her tone was steady.

Tiana took a deep breath, her mind clearing. She had been so frantic she'd forgotten that Whitney's status had evolved; perhaps she could indeed help her see her dad sooner.

"Whitney..."

"Come on, let's head to the station and see Mr. Melford."