Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 832

Whitney was about to lose it with this man. She pinched his muscular arm, only to wince at the pain in her own delicate fingers. Gritting her teeth, she spat out, "Would you just shut up for once? My dad's going to have a heart attack because of you, and he was perfectly fine before!" Ludwik looked at her with an innocent expression, slightly aggrieved, "Whitney, how is your dad ever going to take me seriously if I don't make my presence felt? And don't worry, even if he hates me, he wouldn't dare lay a finger on me because of you. You don't have to worry about me getting hurt."

Her response was a look that could kill. Worry about him? As if!

Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink, at a loss for words, "Ludwik, I've never met a man more shameless than you."

But Ludwik wasn't offended. He gazed at her, his eyes filled with desire as if he wanted nothing more than to caress her flushed face. He murmured, his voice low, "If being shameless gets you back, then so be it. You're about to divorce Bryce anyway. Your father, soon to be my father-in-law. I'm just getting a head start on family titles."

Whitney was baffled by his confidence, her lips twitching in disbelief, "Don't make me rethink the divorce."

"Don't!" Ludwik's expression darkened instantly, his handsome features marred by a scowl as he gripped her tighter, "Baby, that's not funny."

"We'll see about that," Whitney retorted, challenging his patience.

"I'll behave, my queen," he said, a playful tone in his voice.

Whitney was beyond words, choosing silence over engaging further.

Moments later, she saw the news about Bryce taking over the Sheldon Group and scoffed. Bryce was evidently eager to announce his new conquest to the world.

She turned to Ludwik, "When do I start working at the Sheldon Group?"

"In a couple of days," Ludwik replied, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "You're going to disrupt his Sky-Surprise Inn project. The more you oppose it, the more desperate he'll become to launch it. Once his money's tied up in the project, we'll have him right where we want him." Ludwik's intimidating aura enveloped Whitney, yet she found comfort in his presence, nodding in agreement as she clenched her fists.

-

Meanwhile, Parker had nothing to do with the Sheldon Group's affairs at the moment. He had promised Cherry a toy shopping trip and was ready to make good on his promise.

His voice, usually cold, was tender as he crouched down to her level, "I promised to buy you a toy, didn't I? Did you sleep well, my little treasure?"

Cherry, moved to tears, hugged him tightly, "Having you as a dad is the best! I slept really well."

She sniffed him and noted, "Daddy, you smell nice, though there's a hint of smoke. But mommy's scent is sweeter, like fresh-baked cookies. Have you ever noticed how good mommy smells?"

Just as Cherry asked, Tiana appeared, her cheeks turning a shade of red at her daughter's words.

Her gaze accidentally met Parker's behind his sophisticated glasses, catching a glimpse of his meaningful look. Tiana, fresh from sleep, her eyelashes fluttering over her creamy skin, looked absolutely enticing. Parker swallowed hard, visibly affected.

Tiana, catching his gaze, remembered the previous night's wild encounter and blushed even harder.

"Cherry..." Tiana attempted to intervene, but her daughter was relentless.

"Daddy, have you ever noticed how good mommy smells?" Cherry persisted, innocent to the awkwardness she was stirring.

Parker coughed awkwardly, his voice a tad husky as he glanced at Tiana, "I haven't paid attention, but I'll make sure to take a good whiff next time."

"See! You should smell mommy more, you'll fall in love just like that!" Cherry cheerfully advised, playing matchmaker.

Tiana's face was a canvas of embarrassment, "Cherry, that's enough. Go get ready."

But Cherry was determined, "No homework today. Daddy Parker promised me a toy shopping spree!"

Parker, seizing the moment, urged Tiana to join them, "Promises must be kept. Get ready."

Tiana was reluctant, "I'd rather not go. After what happened last night, how can I even face you?"

But faced with her daughter's dramatic plea of loneliness and neglect, Tiana had no choice but to comply.

Parker watched as Tiana reluctantly prepared, his thoughts wandering to unexpected fantasies about their little makeshift family.

If she was his wife, and the kid in the backseat, Cherry, was his daughter.

They would be a typical family of three, him like any average Joe, waiting for his stunning wife to get in the car, ready to spend a blissful, ordinary weekend together. "...What am I even thinking?"

Has he been single too long that he's actually considering marriage?

And to imagine marrying Tiana of all people?

It had been years, yet seeing her again last night, he found her grace and cuteness utterly captivating. Imagining her beneath him on the bed, she would probably cry softly, like a cute little kitten. A surge of warmth, a twinge in his heart, and then the sound of the car door opening.

Parker watched her, involuntarily licking his lips as he leaned over, his large hand purposely brushing past her body, "Buckle up."

"I, I can do it myself...!" Tiana's skin trembled under his touch, his wrist bones strikingly attractive, but his warmth even more scorching. Brushing past her chest, igniting a spark, there was an overwhelming desire in the air.