Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 680

Bryce tried to hide his discomfort with a forced chuckle, "Ms. Turner certainly taught us well, Whitney. Next time, I won't have a secretary riding in my car, promise."

"Bryce, there's no need to make a mountain out of a molehill," Whitney replied dryly.

It was only then that Sandy seemed satisfied, "Sis, you totally deserve Bryce going the extra mile for you. Look at you, making him upset and then rushing out to buy him a tie, and such an expensive one at that! Mr. Lutz, you really should treasure this gift." At Sandy's words, Bryce's heart fluttered, and he looked at Whitney with a tender gaze.

Whitney shot Sandy a glare that could kill, as Sandy quickly made her escape, leaving Whitney red-faced with embarrassment.

The car set off again.

When Bryce looked over for the third time, Whitney reluctantly took out a gift box from her bag.

Inside was a deep navy blue tie.

"It looks quite pricey," Bryce exclaimed happily, visibly moved, "Whitney, this is the first time you've bought me a gift. I'm over the moon.

But you shouldn't splurge like this in the future. I should be the one spending on you."

"It didn't cost much," Whitney muttered, taking out the tie and holding it up at a distance, "It suits you very well."

"I love it," Bryce said, his adam's apple bobbing slightly.

Whitney's eyes caught the movement, and her mind unintentionally wandered to another man's adam's apple. Ludwik's neck was slender, making his adam's apple particularly prominent, exuding a masculine charm that was both sexy and appealing. But she cursed herself for drifting off, thinking of the man she shouldn't be.

Whitney sighed in frustration, forcing herself to focus. "I'll put it away for you."

"Leave it out. I'm going to wear it tomorrow, and every day!" Bryce teased, holding her hand and softly apologizing, "Whitney, I was also at fault that day. I apologize.

I was too impulsive, only thought about my own anger, and forgot you have two kids to think about. I realize now, even though I despise Ludwik, I support your decision to drop the appeal."

Whitney was taken aback, feeling guilty, "Don't say that. I was being selfish, making you hold in all that frustration."

"Alright, let's call it a truce, no more fighting, okay?"

Bryce affectionately ruffled her hair.

Whitney managed a small smile.

However, as they approached Delight Mansion, she couldn't help but ask, "Bryce, I didn't expect you at the auction tonight. Did the Patrick family reach out to you? But you've just arrived in Emperor City, you don't know the Patrick family, do you?" Bryce looked down, turning off the engine, "The Lutz Group and the Patrick Group have some business dealings, that's all."

He was candid, "Whitney, the Patrick family is top dog in Harmonia Country now, and many don't dare cross Wade.

I don't have the power to take them head-on, and it bothered me how Wade was lowballing tonight.

But I was powerless, you don't... think less of me, do you?"

Whitney shook her head.

She couldn't fault Bryce, but suddenly felt he lacked the stature she imagined.

If it were Ludwik's decisive nature...

Why was she comparing Bryce to Ludwik again?

Whitney was exasperated with herself but couldn't help but think, Ludwik grew up under pressure in Banyan City too, yet his backbone never bent. No matter how detestable, she had to admit, that man stood firm. Bryce, it seemed, couldn't quite match up.

Upon reaching home, Bryce parked the car-

As Whitney was about to get out, he held her slender hand, his eyes filled with emotion, "Whitney, I'm staying over tonight."

His tone was firm, leaving Whitney momentarily frozen before she quietly suggested, "Then I'll prepare the guest room for you."

-

In the guest room, Whitney briskly changed the sheets.

In the dim light, a heated male figure suddenly embraced her from behind.

Instantly recognizing it was Bryce, Whitney's body stiffened, but Bryce didn't stop. Instead, he pulled her towards the bed. "Whitney..."

His breath was heavy, his gaze intense, "Can you stay here tonight?

We're married now, it should be like this. I've been holding back for too long, Whitney."

Whitney's eyes widened, her mind a whirlwind of confusion, especially when his fingers began to unfasten her nightgown. She desperately wanted to push him away. "Mommy!"

Suddenly, the door burst open with Danny's irate voice.

Seizing the chance, Whitney quickly wriggled free from Bryce's hold, "You little rascal...

Bryce, I'm sorry, Danny's got a temper, probably wants me to bathe him! You should get some rest!"

As she hurried away, Bryce's warm eyes clouded over.

He wasn't a fool; he could sense Whitney's aversion to his touch.

She resisted him so, yet seemed so willing under Ludwik's force.

Whitney, all your claims of forgetting Ludwik are lies!

-

Downstairs in the bathroom, Whitney and her son exchanged awkward glances, her mind elsewhere.

She hadn't expected her body to react so strongly against Bryce.

What was she to do now? She was legally his wife; she couldn't avoid this forever.

"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to bathe me?"

Danny pouted, slightly angry.

Whitney turned around, reaching for the showerhead, when suddenly Danny dropped a bombshell. "Mom, you weren't thinking about having a baby brother with Bryce, were you?" "...Cough, cough!"

Whitney was so startled she began to cough, her face turning beet red. "What are you talking about, young man? Who's been filling your head with such inappropriate things?"

"Dad, of course." Danny said, looking up with a hint of longing in his eyes. "Before you went on your business trip, Dad was like a male nanny to Natalie's mom. He was worried I'd become introverted, so he made me go to preschool. And to keep me from causing trouble, he taught me all these so-called gentlemanly rules, like not holding girls' hands because it could lead to pregnancy, and he wouldn't 'recognize the child,' whatever that means."

Whitney was speechless. Ludwik's methods of parenting were...questionable, to say the least.

How could he say something so childish to a kid?

He used to be such a hands-on dad...

"But Uncle Parker always egged me on, telling me to play with girls just to tick Dad off," Danny said with a chuckle.

Parker... The thought of him gone made Whitney's heart sink again.

"Mom! I didn't like seeing you and Bryce like that earlier."

Danny then turned around, his expression dead serious. "I want you to sleep with me and Sammy from now on."