Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 526

Whitney! Sandy showed me around some townhouses, and I fell in love with one of them. Have you wrapped up your stuff yet? Want to come check it out?

Just what I needed, a change of scenery.

Whitney texted back: Sure.

She drove to the address Tiana had sent her.

The townhouse was near a shopping district within the inner ring of Emperor City, and as Whitney surveyed the area from her car, she noted the impressive amenities and the clean, cultured environment. The community was called: Delight Mansion.

A collection of several low-rise townhouses, it boasted a lake, a children's playground, a kindergarten, and even a golf course among its amenities.

Following Sandy's lead, Whitney toured the fourth house, which had the best lakeside view.

Spanning two floors, it was more than spacious enough for her family and Tiana's.

Tiana, practically shining with excitement, wrapped Whitney in a hug, "Look at this place, isn't it something? I just adore the decor, it's so modern and airy, with a touch of blue and white-perfect for kids." "Do you like it?" Whitney raised an eyebrow at her.

Sandy chimed in with a smile, "Who wouldn't? It's got that Macaron vibe, totally a hit with the ladies."

"If you guys are into it-"

Whitney coolly pulled out her card, "Sandy, let's get the property manager on the line. We're buying this place."

"Wait, you're serious?" Tiana's eyes widened in disbelief. "Did you even look at the price tag? 400 million, not 40 million, you high roller. I know Skye Gem Ltd. is doing well, but we're about to relocate the company. Maybe save some of that cash?" "If we're cutting costs, it's not going to be on a home. A hotel room can change, but a home stays the same. It's time I settled down."

Whitney said, suddenly feeling a pang of fatigue that had been haunting her for days, she wasn't sure why.

She took a seat on the couch, and Sandy handed her a glass of water.

"Take a break. Sandy, thanks for everything."

"It's no trouble. I just want to see you settled in Emperor City. After all, staying at the Sheldon Mansion, especially after the fallout with Aunt Florence... This place is so much better. Plus, I can drop by anytime." Sandy had always felt like an outsider in the Sheldon family, bullied by Florence and Sienna, without a true friend in sight. Whitney's friendship meant the world to her.

Whitney looked at her thoughtfully, this pure-hearted girl. She wanted to ask if she knew Shane, especially after that bombshell about him kissing Sandy at a bar and claiming she had his child!

As Whitney was lost in thought, the property manager arrived in record time.

Signing the contract and making the full payment of 400 million dollars happened in a blink.

Tiana was gobsmacked, clutching Whitney's card, "To be this wealthy! I'd love to know what spending 400 million feels like. Will I ever get that chance?"

With a resigned look, Whitney shoved the purchase agreement into her hands, "Take it. If you put some effort in, the Melford Group's revival is just around the corner."

Pouting, Tiana retorted, "So, staying with you for just one day and I'm already a freeloader? Fine, I'll look for a job tomorrow!"

Whitney blinked, "If you need help, just ask. Or you could ask Parker, too."

"What are you on about? He's my daughter's uncle!"

"But from what I see, he seems quite concerned about you and Cherry."

"You really do worry about everything. Isn't Ludwik enough for you to deal with?" Tiana snapped back.

Whitney's expression darkened.

Sandy, trying not to laugh, sincerely admired, "You and Tiana have such a great relationship. Are you guys going to live together here?"

Before Whitney could answer, Tiana nodded eagerly, "Of course! Ludwik even said Whitney and I are like conjoined twins."

Whitney shot her a cold look.

Tiana quickly shut up, "Alright, alright, no more talk about the jerk. It's getting late, and Whitney just bought a house. We should celebrate! Let's go out for dinner and get Danny and Cherry." Seeing Tiana so happy, and considering it was her first day in Emperor City and everything felt new, Whitney couldn't help but smile and agreed.

They chose a French restaurant for dinner.

Parker texted Tiana, "Whitney bought a townhouse by herself?"

"How did you know?"

Parker: "Your Twitter."

Tiana glanced at Whitney guiltily; she had bragged a bit too much on Twitter, even sharing the address in her excitement.

Tiana asked him, "You didn't snitch to Ludwik, did you?"

Parker: "Already did."

Damn that gossiper.

Tiana couldn't help but ask, "And how did Ludwik take it?"

"Ludwik is furious." Furious that Whitney bought a house without consulting him first. Given that the Lippert Group owns over half of Emperor City's real estate, Ludwik could

a

Easily provided Whitney

mansion for free.

Even more absurdly, upon replaceing out Whitney's new address, Ludwik had sent a home inspection specialist to check for formaldehyde! Parker was speechless.

Glancing at the brooding man

behind the big desk, Parker added

fuel to the fire, "Not only did Whitney buy the house, but she's also e

moving in with Tiana. They're out celebrating right now..."

Ludwik's face darkened, his pen paused, "Did they order wine?"

Parker was momentarily confused.

Ludwik's gaze was fixed on his documents, but his presence loomed large, "Keep chatting with Tiana." "Once they order any kind of wine-red, white, you name it-send someone over there and spill it!" Parker gave Ludwik a look of utter disbelief, wondering how his life had gotten so complicated. And Whitney? She might actually drink wine!

-

Inside the restaurant.

Sandy ordered a bottle of red wine and poured a glass for each of them.

Tiana raised her glass to toast, and as Whitney was about to take a sip, disaster struck.

A waiter rushed over, tray tipping, and accidentally knocked over her glass of red wine. "Oh, I'm so sorry, miss! I'll clean this up right away," the waiter apologized, visibly shaken. Whitney quickly tried to tidy up, shaking her head, "It's okay, you can go back to your work." Danny watched the waiter leave with a sharp eye.

Around the corner, Parker appeared, slipping the waiter some tip money. He watched as Tiana quickly finished off the bottle of wine, then left, grinding his teeth in frustration.

Soon after, Tiana received a text, "Ms. Melford, you're Cherry's mom. Getting sloshed is not a good look.

Stop drinking! Set a better example for your kid."

Tiana stared at Parker's profile picture, "Damn, this nosy guy has X-ray vision or what?

How does he even know I'm drinking wine? It's none of his business!"

"How I raise Cherry is none of your concern."

"I'm her uncle, of course, I'm concerned."

"You're not her dad!"

On the other end, Parker's face turned a shade of pale, at a loss for words. For a moment, he thought of Cherry's adorable face and wished he was... "Tiana, who are you texting down there?" Whitney glanced over.