Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 679

"Hehe, guess I'm just your little helper then, huh, Grandma?"

"I get it, you'd never actually stay at the Lippert Resort. Just leave it to me to make up an excuse when the time comes. Grandpa's hitting the jackpot here without even realizing the benefactor is his own son's mother." Natalie flashed an awkward smile, "What kind of tongue twister are you spouting now? Just remember to keep it a secret."

"Sure thing! Grandma, let me walk you out."

The duo discreetly made their way out of the lounge.

Emerging from the restroom and about to head to the parking lot to find Bryce, Whitney caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

"...Sammy?" she called out, curiosity piqued.

The moment she called out, the figure paused.

Whitney was taken aback, a strong conviction settling in her. She quickly approached, "Sammy! What are you doing here? You came to the auction and didn't tell Mommy?"

"Grandma, you better hurry," Sammy urged, pushing his grandmother towards their driver.

Natalie, too, didn't want Whitney to uncover anything to spare her grandson the awkwardness.

She quickly jogged towards a car.

Still, Whitney caught a glimpse of Natalie's retreating figure, her brows furrowing in thought, "Sammy, was that your grandma? She..."

"No, why would that be Grandma? I just accidentally bumped into an old lady and was helping her up," Sammy lied without blinking.

Whitney narrowed her eyes, recalling a previous encounter in the hallway where Natalie told Jason, "I brought my grandson here because he wanted to come, and I didn't see anything." Grandson...

Whitney's gaze drilled into Sammy's dark, peach-like eyes, suddenly pulling out his backpack and finding a laptop.

He was a top-notch little hacker.

Connecting the dots with the synthesized voice she heard earlier, Whitney's mind raced, her voice low and incredulous, "Sammy... don't tell me you're that mysterious buyer?!" "..."

"It's either you or your grandma, right?" Whitney pointed at her son.

Sammy, cornered by his mother's sharpness, couldn't help but admire her. After all, it took someone as brilliant as her to give birth to someone as awesome as him.

He squinted and smiled, dropping his gaze in silence.

"This is serious; you're going against Wade. Tell Mommy!" Whitney said urgently, pinching his ear.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell," Sammy gave in, whispering into her ear, "Grandma spent two hundred billion to buy Grandpa's estate. It was all the money Trash Dad had saved for her, untouchable funds. But seeing Grandpa getting bullied, she couldn't help but step in. Now, Wade must be wondering who the powerful buyer is, never guessing it's Grandma helping her own family. I think, hehe, Grandma really likes Grandpa..."

Whitney hadn't expected the conversation to turn into gossip. This kid, even daring to gossip about people in their fifties.

She switched to a speechless expression, putting away her shock to appear calm, "You better keep your mouth shut about this. If Wade finds out about your grandma, it could put her in danger."

"Got it," Sammy nudged her, "Mommy, you're really kind to Grandma, genuinely kind from the bottom of your heart."

Whitney, slightly annoyed, ruffled his hair, "Don't change the subject. You sneaking out to help your grandma could put you in danger, understand? Does Danny know about this?"

"He does..." Sammy admitted, looking down, "It was his idea to insist on helping the Lippert family."

Whitney sighed, knowing Danny was always playing both sides, still considering how to help Ludwik.

These two little guys.

Ding-a-ling-

Whitney's phone rang, Bryce on the other end, his voice tenderly urging, "Whitney, what's taking so long? Everything okay?"

Whitney glanced around, wondering if letting Sammy appear might make Bryce suspect something.

Sammy caught her concern, and, conveniently, he didn't want Bryce to notice anything either. After all, Bryce was among those who drove the price down tonight, disappointing Sammy.

"Mommy, I'll head back on my own. It's easy to catch a cab. I'll meet you guys at home," he said before darting off.

Whitney instructed a shadowy figure to follow him, "Ensure the young master's safety."

"Understood, Miss."

Only then did Whitney head towards the parking lot.

Sandy, holding her bag and standing a suitable distance from Shane, sighed in relief upon seeing Whitney approach, quickly telling Shane, "Mr. Nelson, my sister's here, you really don't have to bother driving me." Shane cast an annoyed glance at Whitney, the third wheel.

"Alright then, Mr. Turner, see you next time." He shot Whitney a look and turned to leave with a scowl.

Whitney, baffled, walked over. Bryce stepped out of the car, and so did another figure, Audrey.

Audrey, holding her bag, smiled faintly, "Ms. Valentine, I left my bag in Mr. Lutz's car on the way here, so I came along to fetch it."

"Oh," Whitney responded coolly, turning to Bryce, "Since it's on the way, let's give Faith a lift."

Bryce, without a trace of hesitation, adjusted his cuff and glanced at Audrey indifferently, "She's just a secretary; let her find her own way back."

Audrey, her hopeful and challenging gaze freezing, clenched her purse.

She forced a smile, "Yes, Mr. Lutz. Thank you, Ms. Valentine, but I can manage a taxi on my own."

Sandy frowned, sensing something off about this woman, always eyeing Bryce with longing. Didn't she know to keep a professional distance?

"Whitney, let's hop in Mr. Lutz's car, shall we?" Sandy suggested pointedly.

As Bryce's car pulled away, Audrey remained rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on the receding vehicle with a mix of irritation and smugness. Oh, the holier-than-thou facade Bryce wore, she mused with a snort. Whitney was probably clueless about what had transpired in the car on their way over.

Once inside the private booth at the club, Bryce had been all over her, hands wandering without restraint, far from the gentlemanly image he projected.

The moment Whitney made her appearance, though, Bryce slipped back into his mask of charm and sophistication.

This man... Audrey couldn't help but look forward to the day when his true colors would be revealed in front of Whitney. And Whitney, poor, naive Whitney, probably believed Bryce was devoted to her. Little did she know how Bryce truly operated. Perhaps it was time to let Whitney catch a glimpse of her presence, Audrey thought. The role of Mrs. Lutz seemed increasingly within her grasp.

With a smirk, Audrey relished the thought.

-

As the Range Rover neared the next intersection, Sandy spoke up, "Mr. Lutz, you can drop me here. I'll hail a cab."

"Sandy?" Whitney looked puzzled.

"I wouldn't dream of being the third wheel and cramping your style with Mr. Lutz."

Sandy gave a playful wink but made a point of raising an eyebrow at Bryce as she added, "Mr. Lutz, the scent in your car is a bit overpowering, you know. Whitney's allergic to strong perfumes. Maybe tell your assistant to go easy on it next time." Bryce's handsome face tensed for a moment. He and Audrey had been intimate in the car earlier, and to cover up, Audrey had deliberately sprayed her perfume.