Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 807

Tiana couldn't spot even the slightest ripple on his face; she glanced past him towards Phineas standing behind.

Phineas cleared his throat softly, giving her a nod in response.

"So, you don't remember anything that happened in this past month since you lost your memory?" Tiana forced a smile, asking Parker again.

"Yeah." Parker nodded, seeing a mix of disappointment and self-mockery flash through her eyes, puzzled, "Did something significant happen this month? Or did you see me after you came looking?"

"Parkie, actually, Ms. Melford and you had already..." Phineas couldn't help but want to spill the beans about Tiana detoxifying him with her body.

"Nothing! I haven't seen you...not in this past month."

Tiana suddenly cut him off, her voice weak, her vibrant demeanor dimming down, she took a deep breath and smiled, "Your uncle was right. I did come looking for you, but after arriving on the island, he locked me up. Back then, you had amnesia, and your uncle suspected me of being an accomplice and wouldn't let me see you, so we never met.

Today is our first meeting on the island, Parker. Now that you've regained your memory, let's leave this place.

I'm eager to return and see Whitney. I have no idea how she's been, staying by Bryce's side, that devil.

I need to tell her everything."

"Alright! I've already met with Ludwik, and I've got a clear picture of the major events that happened in Emperor City this past month.

Bryce, riding on the coattails of the Patrick family, has been framing Ludwik left and right.

If you have any evidence against him, it's the perfect time to expose him."

Parker smiled warmly, looking deeply into her eyes, his heart slightly stirred, he said softly, "Tiana, thank you for not giving up on me after I disappeared, for coming all this way to find me. I'll remember this kindness." Tiana returned a stiff smile, her face silent, her lips pursed.

Her heart trembled slightly with pain. What else could she say? After all, the other 'kindness' was completely forgotten by him along with his regained memory.

What a jerk! Parker, you're such a jerk. You forget everything about detoxifying with me?

But maybe...this was fate's arrangement.

Tiana swallowed the bitterness in her heart. Those days were just a stolen, absurdly beautiful moment with him.

In reality, she had a daughter with his older brother Barclay Doonan, and he had a fiancee, Endora Melford. Besides, now he was Phineas's nephew, from a distinguished family; they were simply two parallel lines that would never cross! Those three desperate days of entanglement, let it be an end to her unrequited love.

The dream was over, all the beauty shattered. Tiana told herself to be rational.

Revealing those three days would be meaningless to them, only adding to their troubles.

Their relationship would become even more awkward.

Now that he had regained his memory, everything had returned to square one. Those three days ceased to exist, and perhaps it was for the best.

"What's wrong, Tiana? You seem unhappy. Missing Cherry, perhaps?" Parker's clear eyes were filled with the longing he felt for her over the month but dared not express outright. He observed the expressions on her face. Noticing her dispirited demeanor.

He had come back to take her to Emperor City, yet why wasn't she happy?

Tiana looked at this 'big dummy,' pretending to be as carefree as before, she playfully slapped him, "Are you blind? I'm not unhappy.

I've been worried sick about Whitney.

If it weren't for your uncle locking me up, I would've tried to escape days after you left.

Ugh, I wonder if Whitney is still being deceived by Bryce.

That vile snake, he wanted to kill me and throw me into the sea!"

"What, Bryce wanted to kill you?" Parker's eyes darkened.

"Yeah, I discovered his deceit and many secrets. He wanted to silence me, fearing I would tell Whitney."

Parker's brows furrowed, "I met with Ludwik but didn't ask in detail about Whitney's recent situation. Ludwik didn't mention much either. Let's head back from Saltland Island as soon as possible." "Then I won't keep you guys any longer. Ms. Melford's wounds are almost healed."

Phineas interjected, authoritatively stating, "Eat dinner, get ready, and I'll arrange the plane."

"How long will the flight from Saltland Island take?" Tiana asked.

Parker replied, "Saltland Island is off the coast of Emperor City. We'll need to change flights twice, it'll take over a day."

Tiana clenched her fists, wishing she could appear before Whitney right now.

-

Emperor City.

Inside a private villa room.

Bryce stood tall in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of red wine in hand, his eyes narrowed as he gazed outside.

The ashtray beside him was littered with cigar butts.

The door creaked softly, and a delicate set of footsteps approached, accompanied by a sweet laugh, "What's Mr. Lutz thinking about?"

At the same time, Bryce felt a pair of hands wrap around his robust waist.

Florence, clad in a thin spaghetti strap dress, her long hair cascading down, leaned into his embrace, her fingers tracing his waist...

"Back off." Bryce coldly pulled away her wandering hands, "Not in the mood today."

Florence stiffened. As if she was eager to please him.

She suppressed the sneer in her heart, her lips curving into a soft smile, "I suppose Mr. Lutz, with all his women, must be bored by now? Or has my sister finally slept with you, rendering this substitute dispensable?" Mentioning Whitney made Bryce take a harsh puff of his cigar, his brows furrowing deeply.

Florence sensed something, eager to stir the pot, "Has Mr. Lutz not won over my sister yet?"

"Drop it!"

Bryce turned around, seizing Florence's chin, scrutinizing her before suddenly smirking sinisterly, "Don't you have a lab with all sorts of powerful drugs?"

The last time we slipped Hudson Sheldon that concoction, it was like magic. Had him signing papers without a second thought.

"Got anything for hypnosis? I'm betting Whitney's onto something. She's started to dig around in my affairs!"

"She's investigating you?" Florence furrowed her brow.

"I found a bug in my office, definitely her doing.

That snake, Whitney..." Bryce clenched his fists, "You've got a bag of tricks, can't you just mess with her memory or something?"

"Mr. Lutz, messing with memories isn't as easy as you think. It would require brain surgery.

Do you think, given Whitney's wariness and disdain for me, I'd even get close to her?

The only reason Hudson fell for it was because he was vulnerable, and we had someone on the inside at the hospital.

Taking Whitney down like that, it's not going to fly."

Bryce, frustrated and angry, threw his whiskey glass against the wall.

Florence watched his handsome face contort in rage, fear flashing across her face, but couldn't resist taunting him, "So she's onto you, big deal. Can't bear the thought of crossing her? For a woman who's betraying you as we speak, you sure seem to have a soft spot for her."

Bryce crushed his cigar under his heel, a sinister look in his eyes as he sneered, "You think I still have feelings for her?"