Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Parker squinted, gauging the distance between the little boat he had commandeered and the massive cruise ship looming ahead.

At least five hundred yards, he guessed.

Rowing there by hand, especially fighting against the sea breeze, would take him a good few minutes.

If Bryce was here, then the "mystery man" must be on that cruise ship!

He was so close to uncovering the truth.

Parker's brow furrowed with impatience as he recalled the gunshots he heard earlier. He reached for his waistband only to realize he had forgotten to bring his gun in the haste of pursuit.

"Damn."

As he bent down to row, the gunfire from the cruise ship abruptly ceased, and soon the sounds of fighting faded as well.

Clutching the oars tightly, Parker's hawk-like eyes tried to pierce the night, but he couldn't make out what was happening on the ship. Gritting his teeth, he rowed harder, pushing through the waves with determination.

Inside the grand lounge of the cruise ship-

The floor was drenched in blood.

Bryce's crew, outnumbering the black-clad assassins, swiftly wiped them out.

Parisa was pulled from the clutches of the assailants.

Florence, still trembling with fear, cried with gratitude, "Mr. Lutz, thank goodness for you, thank goodness!"

She watched as Parisa's deep, contemplative eyes stayed fixed on Bryce, seemingly trying to piece together tonight's chaos: first a group of assassins came after her, then Bryce appeared out of nowhere. How did he know they had changed their landing spot?

Parisa shifted her gaze to Florence.

Florence's voice wavered as she hesitated to explain to Parisa, "Mom, I didn't mean to tell Mr. Lutz about our change in plans. He had no idea you were coming back.

He messaged me an hour ago saying that Ludwik's men were waiting at the Empire City Airport, planning to eliminate you on the spot! He had run into them and was worried about me, and you.

I was terrified, so I had no choice but to tell him our new landing location.

Luckily, he arrived just in time. Otherwise, you and I would have been done for, victims of my father Ludwik's cruel schemes. They're ruthless, willing to go to any lengths to get rid of you!"

Get rid of?

A cold shiver ran through Parisa's spine.

The man who betrayed her hadn't searched for her all these years, but now, upon hearing of her return, he was out for blood. Did he think she was still the same forsaken woman from back then?!

But.....how did he and Ludwik know she was coming back?

"Are you sure these assassins were sent by Ludwik? I never disclosed my return plans, and he couldn't have known," Parisa questioned, her brow furrowed with suspicion.

Bryce glanced at Florence.

He stepped forward, pulling out his phone, and nodded politely at Parisa, his voice calm and earnest, "Ms. Tennyson, I apologize for Florence telling me you were coming back, but she refused to disclose the landing site. I went to the airport to protect you, assuming you might land there.

But I found Ludwik's men, led by Parker, already surrounding the place!

I don't know how Ludwik got the intel...but with his connections to the Inko Group and their aerospace ventures, bribing a shareholder wouldn't be too hard.noveldrama

I tried to stop Parker, but his men attacked me.

If you don't believe me, you can see the photos I took.

That's him, Ludwik's brother Parker. You can look him up!"

Parisa took the phone, immediately recognizing the airport's VIP lounge and the scuffle caught on camera, her gaze lingering on a young, fierce-eyed man in the midst of the fight.

Parisa squinted, "Ludwik bribing Inko Group shareholders?"

"Not just that Didn't Florence tell you he already knew about your identity back in Germinia?" Bryce sighed deeply, "Actually, the recent chaos in the Inko Group is alle

et

Ludwik's doing. You have no idea!"