Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 980

"Cherry's statement is no good anymore."

Whitney's gaze turned icy, her eyes shimmering like fragments of broken ice. "We underestimated her. She made her move early, not even sparing a child. Keep an eye on Cherry for now. If it was just hypnosis, it shouldn't be too serious. Clearly, Elaine's return to Banyan City was part of a bigger plan. She's using Ashton as a starting point, aiming to stir up trouble and claw her way back into high society."

"In her dreams!" Tiana seethed, gripping Whitney's hand. "You mentioned we have other options, let's use them. Or we could just tell Parker to handle it!

And we shouldn't wait for Endora to change her testimony in jail. That witch needs to be stopped now."

Indeed.

Leaving Elaine in Banyan City after she dared to hypnotize Cherry was too dangerous. Who knows what else she might cook up among them, spreading lies and unrest, especially with Valerie still out of the picture... Like a cancer, she had to be cut out.

Whitney stretched her neck, her voice cold and decisive. "Don't worry, I'll handle this. With Ashton in the way, we need to get rid of her quickly!"

The resolve in her eyes gave Tiana a sense of assurance. They were all good people, forced into this corner by a woman who wouldn't stop at anything, even kidnapping Cherry. She had it coming.

"Mommy, what are you whispering about?" Cherry's head popped up behind them, ever the inquisitive one, afraid of missing out on anything. "Are you talking about Daddy? He came to the hospital, didn't he? Why haven't I seen him?" Whitney nudged Tiana, signaling her to calm her anger.

Tiana came back to reality, turning to look at her daughter's small face, closely observing her condition, worried about any lingering effects from the brief hypnosis.

Her thoughts darkened at the possibility of Elaine doing something more sinister to Cherry.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. "Whitney, it's getting late, and you've been run off your feet these past few days. Take a break, go do what you need to." Whitney caught the hint.

Nodding, she replied, "Not in a rush. I want to see you and Parker settled first before I can rest easy."

"What's there to settle between him and me?" Tiana muttered, looking down. "Just go, leave me be."

Whitney's lips curved in a knowing smile, pulling gently at her. "Isn't it time for your ultrasound? Parker mentioned wanting to see his son. I'll go call him."

"Why should he butt in? Besides, who said it's going to be a son?"

Tiana grumbled, her cheeks flushing. But then, the blush faded as she lifted her head. "Whitney, do you think he really wants a son? What if it's not? Would he still accept the child?" Whitney stared at her, exasperated, and gave her a light smack on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?" Tiana winced.

Whitney, slightly frustrated, said, "Where's that smart brain of yours that you use in hacking? Can't you see this clearly? Do you really think Parker is after a child or you?"

"I don't know." Tiana frowned, feeling wronged. "This morning at the Doonan family's, when he thought he lost his child, he looked like he could eat me alive. Now that he knows the baby's still here, he's all sweet talk. Doesn't that show he's only after a son?"

Whitney sighed, trying to explain. "Parker made it clear to me. His anger was out of sorrow, not the desire for a child. If he wanted kids, plenty of women would line up to bear them for him.

He wants you, dummy! And it's also because of his almost-marriage to Endora that you're so heartbroken. You've lost confidence in yourself and in him, haven't you?"

"Yeah. I'll have this child as a settlement to him, to make up for my unilateral decision to abort.

But marrying him now... I'm not sure about the future, about him, or about the Doonan family's stance."

Tiana opened up about her fears, her heart encased in a shell of timidity after enduring so much.

Whitney understood her well.

Leaning in, she hugged Tiana, speaking from the heart, "Listen, Tiana, don't pressure yourself or let others pressure you. Follow your heart.

The only obstacles now are the Doonan family, and your feelings for each other.

If you're unsure about Parker, use this pregnancy to feel things out. See if he's genuinely there for you or if it's just about the child. These months should be enough to evaluate whether he's worth marrying, right?" Tiana's cheeks reddened again.

"So, after all is said and done, you still want me to marry him. You'll be at ease once I'm settled, right?" She huffed.

Whitney chuckled, bumping her playfully. "Aren't you even a bit curious about marrying him? Your hesitation is because of all the troubles between you two. Give him a chance to make amends, why don't you?" "And what about you and Ludwik?"

Tiana shot back, then shook her head. "No, Ludwik's not even made a move yet, and he's already disappeared. So much for pursuit! Talk about unreliable!"

Whitney paused, a shadow crossing her face as Ludwik's image flashed through her mind. She realized that no matter how busy she was, every idle moment brought his face to mind.

It was like an addiction, his memory ingrained in her brain.

No matter how long he was gone, his features remained vivid in her mind.

She scoffed internally, having just thought of him that morning. Today marked the eleventh day without contact.

Tiana was right. Unreliable!

"Look at me, playing matchmaker for you, and you turn it around on me."

Whitney rolled her eyes at him and called over the duty nurse, "You head to the ultrasound department and wait there. I need to fetch Parker; got something to discuss with him." Hearing she needed Parker for something, Tiana didn't object anymore. Taking Cherry along, she followed the nurse.

Whitney made her way back through the dimly lit halls of the ICU.

Around the corner, the bright fluorescent lighting illuminated a tall figure standing firm.

Whitney glanced at him, "So, Celine just forgave you and left?"

Parker turned, revealing a clear slap mark on his devilishly charming face!

Whitney paused for a moment, piecing together what had happened, and couldn't help but snort, "Got what you deserved. Celine smacked you?"

"She's protective of her daughter." Parker lowered his head to light a cigarette, his long fingers brushing the red mark at the corner of his mouth. His manner was carefree and defiant, quite the spectacle.