Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 881

Three years ago, Barclay just happened to be at the same club where Tiana had her unfortunate incident. Afterward, Elaine sought out Endora, asking her to spread rumors that Barclay had wronged Tiana. Endora, in turn, positioned herself as the savior of Parker, basking in the glory and riches that followed.

Now, Endora was desperate to seize this opportunity with both hands.

She dangled the bait before Barclay, "How about we strike a deal, Barclay? You were asking me for a loan earlier, right? I doubt a few tens of thousands would cut it for you you'd need at least a couple hundred million to turn things around!"

"Are you willing to lend me that kind of money?" Barclay's tone shifted instantly, his flattery thinly veiled, "Endora, I didn't take you for such a generous soul. What's the deal?"

"Considering your current standing within the Doonan family, you're practically at a dead end, Barclay. I think we should join forces. If you're willing to marry Tiana, it might feel like settling for less, but once I become Mrs. Parker, his fortune becomes mine. Then, not just a few hundred million, but billions will be at your disposal! I'll be grateful to you, using my position as Mrs. Parker to continuously support you and solidify your position within the Doonan family. After all, Parker's future lies not with the Doonan family but with the great Inko Group, thanks to his uncle Phineas. Eventually, you could be the head of the Doonan family! How about it? Just marry Tiana, and I'll help you get everything."

Barclay was no fool. He knew all too well about Endora's obsession with his brother, and considering Parker's enhanced status thanks to his maternal uncle Phineas, letting such a catch go would be idiotic on Endora's part. Barclay was also aware of the recent rumors linking Parker and Tiana closely together.

He was irked! Tiana had his child, yet he couldn't assert his dominance within the Doonan family, especially in front of his underachieving brother.

The prospect of gaining wealth and status naturally appealed to him.

His mother's background paled in comparison to Parker's, fueling his ambition to take over the Doonan family, but only if he assisted Endora in becoming Mrs. Parker.

Barclay was well aware of Endora's scheme to have him deal with Tiana and eliminate her as a problem...

He smirked nonchalantly, "You mentioned she's pregnant, didn't you? I'm not exactly thrilled about playing daddy again, but rest assured, I'll fight for my daughter's custody when the time comes. As for the other... 'accident'..." "Let's not call anyone an 'accident,' Barclay. If you recognize the child, then it's all yours," Endora said, her smile sharp with cunning. "Enduring one 'accident' for a fortune sounds like a fair trade to me. If it were me, I'd jump at the chance." Barclay narrowed his eyes, playing with the few chips he had left, "If you're serious about this partnership, show me some good faith. Three million, and I'm in. I'll take care of Tiana, you marry Parker, and we both get what we want." A bold demand.

Endora inwardly cursed Barclay's audacity.

Despite being half-brothers, why was the gap between him and Parker so vast?

It's no wonder Parker was groomed to be the heir from a young age, while Barclay was nothing but a disappointment.

Seeing the need to use this disappointment to her advantage, Endora agreed, "I'll transfer the money, but before I do, you need to do something for me right now."

"Name it. Your head's always full of schemes," Barclay mocked.

Ignoring him, Endora watched Parker stride into the café, her lips curling into a sly smile, "Go to the central hospital and find Tiana. Stir up some drama, ask whose 'accident' she's carrying. If she refuses to say, just claim it and reconcile with her. Barclay, you have your ways; you've pressured Tiana before. Just think about how to bring her back to the Doonan family as your wife!"

"Woman's venom," Barclay scoffed, though he was clearly willing, "Three million to check on Tiana? I'm on it."

"Immediately."

Hanging up, Endora touched up her makeup and stepped out of the car, timing her entrance perfectly.

She entered the café, her high heels clicking seductively on the floor.

Parker, brows furrowed, sipped his coffee, giving her a cursory, icy glance through his glasses, his aloofness palpable.

But Endora, though momentarily daunted by his presence, was undeterred. Unlike Ludwik's overt dominance, Parker's demeanor was deceptively laid-back, with a hidden ruthlessness in his gaze.

Tightening her grip on her purse and flipping her hair to reveal an irresistibly sweet smile, she approached, "Parker!"

"What's happened to Tiana? Speak," he demanded, setting down his coffee cup with a clatter, his long legs crossed, the epitome of casual power in his leather jacket and jeans, the glasses adding an edge to his look.

Women nearby couldn't help but steal glances at him, his attractive features drawing their attention.

She looked at him, emotions swirling, annoyed that his first question was about Tiana.

Endora knew her manipulations had driven a wedge between Tiana and Parker, making Tiana believe Parker was still entangled with her. The fallout had been severe, and though Parker seemed to be keeping Endora close, she knew his heart wasn't in it. His frequent glances at his phone, the lost look in his eyes-he was missing Tiana.

Sometimes, lost in thought, he'd scroll through photos of Tiana's daughter.

He was deeply entangled in his feelings for that "siren."

Gripping her fingers tightly, Endora sat down, leaning forward to capture his attention with her voluptuous figure, her eyes shimmering with faux sadness, "I'm just so worried about Tiana."

"What's wrong with her?" Parker's cool tone shifted slightly, a hint of concern breaking through.

He was frustrated; the moment Endora hinted at trouble with Tiana, he had rushed over.

Parker could have just asked Ludwik. Ludwik, in turn, could have just asked Whitney, and they'd have the truth. Yet, Parker hesitated. He knew Whitney was now siding with Tiana, probably despising him as much as she did. And he wasn't ready to swallow his pride, not yet. Watching over Endora, he had his reasons, reasons he couldn't easily explain.

In a couple of days, Tiana, that heartless woman, would learn the truth.

He wasn't unfaithful, he didn't love Endora. His heart belonged to one person only...

"Tiana is pregnant," Endora suddenly blurted out, her voice cutting through the silence like a clap of thunder, stunning Parker, the revelation hitting him squarely, freezing his dark gaze.

He was petrified, his sharp eyes shifting rapidly behind his glasses, from shock to gloom, to suspicion, and even a flicker of inner turmoil... Memories of their intimate moments flashed through his mind, but she had denied them all! Pregnant??

Parker had to admit, he couldn't sit still any longer.

As he abruptly stood up, he shot Endora a icy look, his voice cold as frost, "Where did you hear that? Endora, if you dare spread false rumors about her, I won't go easy on you!"

"Ha," Endora paled, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and accusation, "So, Parker, are you admitting you've fallen for my cousin? You're so protective of her, you'd even threaten me, your fiancée."