Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 897

Seeing him asleep, Ashton let out a quiet sigh. He had been considering calling Whitney to probe into what was really going on with Tiana. It seemed like there was a huge misunderstanding between Parker and Tiana. But then, the thought of Whitney's overprotective, harsh demeanor made Ashton reconsider.

From what Felix mentioned, Whitney seemed to be organizing some work for the Sheldon Group and planned to visit Banyan City soon.

Apparently, there was some investigation into whether Barclay and Cherry were biologically related...

What was she up to?

The first time Ashton saw Cherry, he was taken aback by how much she resembled Parker, especially the distinctive shape of her nose and eyes. It was rare for a baby to have such defined features.

But since Parker himself didn't believe Cherry could be his daughter, Ashton dropped the suspicion.

It wasn't unheard of for nieces to resemble their uncles.

In the middle of the night, Ashton moved Parker to his own apartment, leaving the reeking man behind to take a shower.

Around 3 AM, a phone call suddenly exploded in the room.

Parker woke up, his head throbbing painfully. Irritated, he tore at his black shirt and yanked the ringing phone from his pocket, intending to smash it.

But the phone survived, its ringtone continuing to pierce his ears.

Opening his bloodshot eyes, filled with cold fury, Parker eventually rolled off the bed, picked up the damned phone, glanced at the caller ID, and sobered up a bit.

It was from the Doonan family estate in Banyan City!

His family, especially his grandfather, respected his privacy, so this call must be important.

Parker rubbed his temples, forcing himself to answer the call.

"Hello-"

"Master, it's me, Butler Alex. Do you have a moment?" Alex noticed the rasp in his voice.

Parker stood up, leaning on the bed, "What's the matter?"

Alex's tone was grave, "It's bad news, Master! Ms. Melford has attempted suicide at the Melford estate and was rushed to Banyan City Hospital. She's still in surgery....

The Melfords came to the Doonan Mansion making a scene in the middle of the night, and this has alerted your father. The old man rushed home, and they've been demanding compensation for their daughter!

This suicide attempt by Endora has caught us off guard and has caused quite a stir in Banyan City. There are even reporters camping out at the hospital.

The old man is furious with you, demanding you return to the Doonan family estate by dawn, no matter where you are!"

Parker's drunken haze cleared immediately, his mind as if doused with cold water.

"Endora committed suicide?"

"Yes, Master. It seems Ms. Melford returned to her parents' house alone today, claiming you wanted to break off the engagement and had been trying to push her away for a month.

Her grandmother criticized her for being incompetent, driving her out of the house.

The news of Ms. Melford's miscarriage three years ago and resulting infertility has leaked, becoming a scandal in Banyan City.

This has made the Melfords a laughingstock, and Endora couldn't handle it. Her parents, Cato and Alice, said she'd be doomed to spinsterhood, which might have triggered her. Ms. Melford then attempted suicide in her apartment. The old man wants to know if you're responsible for Ms. Melford's miscarriage years ago?

He's very angry, accusing you of tarnishing the family's reputation and making a grave mistake. Please, come back as soon as possible."

Alex's rambling made Parker's headache worsen, his handsome face growing colder.

He had planned to deal with the Ludwik situation before returning to Banyan City to face his grandfather's commands regarding the dissolution of the engagement.

Parker had countless ways to silence the troublesome Melfords, but Endora had made the first move.

Suicide? A bold move indeed!

But thinking of the Doonan family patriarch... Parker's expression hardened. His father didn't usually interfere in personal matters, but there was no tolerance in his eyes for those who breached the family's strict codes. "I understand," he said, almost fully sober now, standing straight.

"Ms. Melford's situation is critical, and things are getting out of hand. Please hurry."

Alex ended the call.

Parker stood rigid, staring out at the moonlight, his jaw set coldly.

"Whoosh " Ashton came out of the shower to find the man who had been drunk as a lord now standing eerily at the bedroom door, his eyes vacant. "Damn, you trying to give me a heart attack?" Ashton cursed, approaching him and noticing something was off, "Parker, what the hell woke you up?" "I need to go back to Banyan City."

"What?" Ashton was taken aback, pointing at his drunken mess, "Now? You're talking in your sleep!"

"Endora tried to kill herself." Parker glanced at him and picked up his dirty jacket from the couch. Ashton was completely baffled.

Watching Parker head towards the door, staggering yet hurried, Ashton quickly followed, "Is this for real? Who told you? Are you sleepwalking...?" The ringing continued-

The ringtone of the cell phone pierced the silence of the room like a hammer hitting an anvil.

Parker glanced at the caller ID, half-expecting it to be the Doonan family's butler, "Alex."

"It's me!"

Parker's chiseled features instantly tensed, the authoritative yet calm voice seemed to press down from above, and he slowly responded, "Dad."

"I want you here within an hour." Winston Doonan's voice carried an unprecedented fury.

Parker could hear it.

Even Ashton, standing by, caught the severity of the situation clearly. He moved his thin lips, his brows furrowed, and said, "Then you... better head back now."

Parker pressed his temples, battling a throbbing headache.

Ashton thought he was upset about his father. Honestly, if this were thirty years ago in Banyan City, Winston was the kind of man whose mere name could strike terror into hearts, with few daring to breathe easily under his watchful eye. The Doonan family's rule over their domain wasn't just talk.

After a brief silence, both men became agitated.

Ashton dashed out, "Right, the helicopter, I'll arrange it from Ludwik's company! Whatever Endora is up to, you need to check it out ASAP. How come you haven't dealt with someone like Endora earlier... you and Ludwik, always getting tripped up by women." Parker pursed his lips, thinking he had underestimated Endora's boldness.

She dared to risk it all, striking first at the Doonan family, dragging the old man into her mess.

Playing mind games with him?

Parker clenched his fists, giving Ashton a cold glance, and managed to throw in a sarcastic comment, "At least you didn't let Elaine cause you any trouble, did you?"