Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 763

"Whitney, what brought you back so soon?" Bryce couldn't hide his surprise as he saw her lounging on the couch.

Usually, she was swamped with work at the Sheldon Group, barely spending any downtime on the couch, but rather retreating to her guest room as soon as she got home.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Daydreaming?" He rubbed his temples, his face etched with gentle concern.

Whitney clenched her fists, pretending nothing was amiss. "Did you manage to sort out Audrey's affairs?"

"Yeah, I spent today with the Perlman family, taking Audrey's ashes back to Banyan City.

You know me, always the good guy. An employee's tragic car accident, I genuinely feel for their family."

Bryce seemed genuinely concerned for his subordinate, but Whitney noticed his tired expression, which seemed to reflect genuine concern.

She surreptitiously observed him, realizing he wasn't wearing the same shirt he had on in the morning...

Thinking back, there had been several instances where his work attire didn't match what he wore home.

However, she hadn't paid much attention to those details before.

Bryce took her hand, "I'm sorry, with everything going on with Audrey's situation at the company and dealing with the Perlman family's insurance claims with the car manufacturer, I might have neglected you a bit, haven't I?" "Not at all," Whitney said, forcing a smile, then suddenly asked, "By the way, Bryce. When you were dealing with Faith's case at the station, did you happen to hear anything about the progress on Tiana's disappearance?"

Bryce visibly paused, turning to look at her with a gaze that suddenly sharpened. "Their cases aren't being handled by the same police station," he replied, probing, "Whitney, why are you suddenly asking about Ms. Melford?" "I worry about her every day. It's just that you were the one handling the report, so I felt awkward asking you all the time."

Bryce looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, I've indeed been swamped. Here, let me call the chief right now, as I haven't followed up on the progress myself. It might be better if you spoke to him directly."

Whitney watched him, seeing nothing but calm in his eyes, which made her doubt even more.

If Tiana's disappearance was related to him, surely there would be some tell.

But Audrey's last message had been a bombshell.

It had to be a crucial piece of information.

Bryce dialed the phone, and soon, the chief's voice came through, "Mr. Lutz, good to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

"My wife was inquiring about Ms. Melford's disappearance. How is the investigation coming along? I handed it over to you guys after reporting it, but I haven't checked in on the progress. What's the situation?"

The chief hesitated before responding, "Claire, well, we're stretched thin here, but we did find a brick factory near the beach. After a thorough search, we found a footprint that might belong to a woman. We're currently comparing it to Ms. Melford's shoe size. If it's a match, our theory is she might have accidentally fallen into the sea while trekking... But it's just a theory at this point..."

Hearing this, Whitney was puzzled.

They found Tiana's footprint?

Impossible. Ludwik said Tiana never went to that brick factory.

Was it police incompetence, or... Whitney suddenly directed a suspicious glance at Bryce.

Or was it as Ludwik said, that Bryce had instructed the chief not to investigate Tiana's disappearance?

Maybe this investigation result was fake, just something to placate her.

In that moment, Bryce before her seemed less and less real.

She remembered Ludwik telling her about the injury inflicted by someone Bryce had sent.

"Whitney... What are you thinking about? Did you hear what the chief said?" Bryce gently shook her, his voice soft with concern, "If you need me to press the chief for more, just say the word."

"Let it be. Just ask the police to do their job and help me find Tiana."

If that was the case, she'd have to search for Tiana on her own.

"It's settled then. Ms. Melford might well be safe and sound. Don't stress yourself too much; fortune favors the brave," Bryce said, running his fingers through her hair with affectionate concern. Before, Whitney would have been grateful for his care.

But now, looking past his gentle demeanor, what was really hiding behind that face?

Her heart grew cold with every beat.

Could he truly be innocent, or was the coincidence of Tiana's disappearance and Audrey's death too suspicious?

"Stop worrying. It's rare for us to finish work early. Go take a shower, and I'll cook dinner."

Bryce's voice was soft, but then he added, "Oh, by the way, Whitney, Ronan is hosting a welcome-home party for his daughter, Elodie, remember her? The Leightons have warmly invited us both. Their family holds a special status, and it wouldn't be polite to decline." "Okay." Whitney nodded absently, her mind elsewhere.

Attending such an event might be good. If Bryce was hiding any secrets, mingling with those high-profile figures might reveal his true character.

-

The next morning.

Whitney suddenly received a call from Danny, "Mommy, did you forget you have two little munchkins here?"

Whitney cringed, rubbing her temples, "I'm sorry, Danny. How are you and Sammy doing at the Lippert's? Some stuff came up these past few days, and with your grandpa just waking up, I haven't had the chance to come get you guys."

She felt guilty but realized that subconsciously, she trusted Ludwik to take good care of their sons.

Despite everything, he was a responsible father at heart, a fact she had to admit.

... What was she thinking, saying good things about that shameless man?

Whitney was speechless, hearing Danny grumble on the other end, "Huh, you just forget about us when you're busy, huh?

Lucky for us, the Lipperts aren't bad people, or Sammy and I might have ended up suffering."

Whitney frowned, "That can't be right. Are the Lippert grandparents not treating you well?"

"They had the guts!" Danny boasted with a smugness that could reach the sky. "That night, it was Grandma who showed up at Brew Hill with Sammy in tow, and Grandpa was totally taken aback when he saw them.

It was no small feat convincing Sammy to grace the Lipperts with his presence. Grandpa and Great-Grandma have been treating him like he's the apple of their eye, bending over backward to keep him happy, terrified he'd just up and leave if he felt slighted in the least. Every time Dad gets home from work and sees how Grandpa and Great-Grandma are spoiling Sammy, he can't help but roll his eyes.

But, who can blame them? Dad owes Sammy big time. Grandpa and Great-Grandma are just trying to make amends on his behalf." "And... what about Sammy's reaction?" Whitney couldn't help but feel anxious about how Sammy was getting along with the Lipperts. After all, Sammy wasn't as straightforward or as easily swayed as Danny.

Danny pouted, "Sammy's been acting all high and mighty! No matter how much Grandpa tries to amuse him, he won't crack a smile. He's just cold to everyone in the Lipperts.

The only ones who get to see a nicer side of him are Great-Grandma and Grandma. That's just Sammy for you, always the charmer with the ladies, no matter their age."

Whitney facepalmed, "...Seriously, is that the word you use to describe your brother? He's too young to be 'charming' in the way you're implying."

"Well, he's just following in our crappy dad's footsteps. Oh, and Sammy wanted me to ask if you're planning on picking us up to take us home? We're at Dad's apartment right now, and he said he's taking us out for some football, followed by a barbecue and then a hot tub session! Dad's asking if you wanna join."