Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 243
Whitney was only worried about one thing – Sammy. She bent down, kissing her son with the utmost care, hoping not to reveal
the secret that she was about to skip town. Her heart ached as she stood up, hastily packing her clothes.
“Sammy’s as sharp as a tack, too clever by half. I can’t take him back with me; he’ll be in your care for now, Yael.”
“You’re afraid... that man will find out and snatch him away, aren’t you?”
Whitney remained silent; that was indeed her greatest fear.
Yael sighed. Sammy was a chip off the old block, smart as his biological father.
To Whitney, he was as sweet as apple pie, but turn your back, and he was sly as a fox, a real handful. “I can’t promise I’ll be able
to handle the little terror, but if anything comes up, I’ll give you a buzz.”
“Just keep an eye on his asthma. It generally doesn’t flare up, but be cautious all the same.”
“Yeah, your boyfriend booked your flight.”
Whitney’s mouth twitched in annoyance, correcting her once more, “Don’t call him that.”
“Sooner or later, it’ll be true. You need someone to rely on.” Yael did not know what Whitney used to be like, but these past three
years, she’d become too cold and heartless.
Whitney, grabbed her suitcase, gave a casual wave, and thought to herself, “Why would I need anyone to rely on? I won’t drag
any good people down with me again.”
Being heartless was her best weapon. Let the past drift away; let the villains seek their happiness? Sorry, but no. She was back!
Two days later, at the airport, Whitney stepped out in high heels.
The woman, hidden behind sunglasses, with her flawless skin and stunning figure, still caught the gaze of countless men.
A mature and graceful figure immediately approached her. “Whitney!”
Bryce’s eyes held a concealed wonder; she was even more enchanting than she had been three years ago, her figure as
youthful as a maiden’s.

His gaze lingered on her legs beneath her trench coat, and a twinge of pain crossed his face.
“Are your legs okay? Aren’t you wearing too little?” he asked, a note of longing in his voice.
Whitney embraced him casually, nonchalantly replying, “It’s nothing.”
“Let’s get in the car.”
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She smoothed her skirt and sat down quietly, an air of detached indifference surrounding her.
Only Bryce could see through the glossy surface to the weariness hidden beneath.
He changed the subject. “Whitney, I’ve looked into the matter you asked about. Natalie is still alive.”
Whitney pressed her lips. Natalie had been in a vegetative state for three years. She had told Taryn that after three years, she
would change the medication. That was one of the reasons for her return.
“Also, I’m on the lookout for that child psychologist from Emperor City you wanted to find for Sammy. His condition isn’t serious,
is it?”
Whitney gave a wry smile. It was not exactly serious, but Sammy had some issues with his personality – dissociative identity
disorder. When it struck, his personality would change completely.

Doctors abroad suggested it might be related to genetics and a lack of fatherly love. Warm–hearted normally, cold and detached
when the disorder hit. His personality was unstable.
The little guy never asked about his father, and she lied, telling him the man was dead long ago. Deep down, though, she knew
Sammy held onto some wild fantasies; he was always full of ideas.
She sighed softly. “It’s fine, Bryce. There’s no rush on this.”
“So, what brings you back this time?”
“Orion roped me into a challenging case. He said it could be the breakthrough I needed to save my uncle. I’m going to test the
waters first. You know I can’t refuse him.”
Bryce, of course, knew why she could not refuse Orion.
But at the mention of Orion, he glanced at the rear–view mirror, his brows furrowing as he said,
I
“Orion’s a tricky one,ney. I know you have a lot on your plate, but I don’t want you getting
entangled with him. If it’s revenge you’re after, you can count on me. I’ll help you.”
Whitney met his gaze and said nothing, only reaching down to pull out a box of pills. “These will keep your father Hunter’s heart
condition stable. Keep giving them to him.”
Bryce stiffened slightly. She was reminding him that she still felt guilty for their engagement party three years ago.

“Whitney... my father’s heart attack was an accident, and we owe it to your medicine that he’s still stable.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Whitney leaned back into her seat.
Bryce wanted to say more, but the car radio suddenly switched to breaking news. “Skyfaith Electronic Tech’s Mr. Lippert has
spent a whopping 800 million dollars on a villa for his
Chapter 243
fiancée, Elaine Bartels. It’s taken three years to complete, and Mr. Lippert’s affection for Elaine is the talk of Banyan City. It
seems their big day is just around the corner...”
Bryce quickly changed the station, then hesitated before saying, “It’s true. They’ve set a date for the wedding. It’s said to be even
grander than the engagement party.”
“Is that so? Good for them.” Whitney’s voice was calm, her body showing no sign of agitation.
Her heart had died the night she threw herself into the sea, filled now only with hatred. Perhaps that was not such a bad shell to
inhabit.
She smirked. “Quite surprising, dragging it on until now.”
Bryce quickly added, “They’ve been living together anyway, and rumor has it they’ve got a kid. Someone spotted them going to
register the birth. Ludwik’s been off the rails these last few years; no one’s seen the child nor dared to ask. Who knows if it’s
true.”
Whitney gazed out the window, her gaze momentarily faltering.
All the effort to keep Sammy away, and then they had another? Laughable.
The hatred simmered, lurking in the depths.
“Bryce, I’m a bit tired. Wake me when we get to the apartment,” she said, closing her eyes lazily. Bryce could not help but notice
the abrupt end to the conversation. She seemed not to care, as if she were above it all.
Was she really?

She had changed a lot. Her beautiful, hopeful eyes had once been cute and soft; now, they were bewitching and detached as if
she were heartless.
Was this change for better or worse?
Bryce pursed his lips, certain of one thing: her cold yet alluring demeanor only deepened his fascination.
The apartment was the same one Whitney had bought three years ago, though Bryce had made some changes.
The nursery, with its crib, was now adorned with a Transformers bed, stacks of Lego sets, and countless other toys.
Bryce chuckled. “I thought you might bring Sammy back, so I spruced up the place overnight, thinking he’d love it.”
Whitney was touched by the gesture.
Bryce had truly given so much for her, heart and soul.
Her emotions stirred, and she smiled genuinely. “Sammy loves his Uncle Bryce.”
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“How could he not? I’m like a big kid; no child can resist me. Besides, I’ve always seen him as my own son!”
Whitney’s eyes tightened, a touch of emotion tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I wish he had a father like you...”
“Whitney.” The man walked over and took her hand, his thin lips moving slightly. “I blame myself for not protecting you three
years ago, which led to Sammy being born premature!
But my feelings for you haven’t changed. In three years, he’s become a force to be reckoned with, his power sweeping across
Empire City, but I haven’t been idle. Whatever you want to do, I’m with you all the way this time. I’ve been right here waiting for
you.”
Whitney was silent. She knew she was fortunate to have such a devoted man. It would be a lie to say she was not moved.
Yet, she felt a little dazed and self–deprecating. “Bryce, I can’t promise you anything. In my pursuit of what I want, I’m not even
sure what I might become.”

“I’m sure enough for both of us. I can see into your heart, Whitney. It’s my own wishful thinking, but I’m willing to wait for years if I
have to.”
Whitney was touched deep down but said nothing more, silently leaning on her hand as she looked out the window. “The case
regarding my uncle in prison...”
“Yeah, I’ll fax the details to you when I get back, and I’ve found the lawyer you were looking for. But visiting a high–security
inmate isn’t that easy.”
“I’ve come back, so there’s no rush. Whoever wants my uncle dead, I’ll find them! By the way, is the auction of Skye Gem the
day after tomorrow evening?”
“Yes, get yourself ready. That will be your first public appearance in Banyan City in a long time.” Bryce patted her delicate
shoulder with a reassuring gesture.
She gently touched the Skye Gem Ltd. folder on the table, her fingertips gleaming coldly as she clenched her hand slowly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll start by taking a position at the hospital. After my rounds, I might need to see Tiana. Can you give me her
contact?”
The mention of Tiana made Whitney’s heart clench.