Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 706

"Daddy, why don't you invite this gentleman in for a bit? Don't be such a Scrooge!"

Four-year-old Piper was quite the character—quirky and precociously sensible. She reached out, wanting to pull Ludwik inside.

Seeing her gesture, Ludwik softened a bit, "No need, little one. Your dad doesn't seem to welcome me."

"Why not?"

"Maybe because I'm down on my luck right now."

Shane felt like he was about to explode. What was Ludwik's problem?

"Daddy, you can't be so superficial!"

Sure enough, Piper was fuming at him.

"Sir, we Nelsons aren't superficial. Please, come in." The little girl shyly invited Ludwik, shooting Shane a glare.

Shane was nearly at his wit's end with Ludwik. Just by being his unpleasant self, he had completely turned Piper, the little charmer, against him.

Ludwik cracked a smile, "You're more polite than your dad, kiddo. I like you."

"Really?" Piper blushed, shyly looking up at him.

Shane felt a surge of frustration, "Piper, behave yourself. Go inside!"

"Oh, Daddy, please let him come in."

...

After Piper had gone inside, Ludwik casually asked, "Where's her mom? I didn't know you were married."

Shane stalled, his past a deeply guarded secret.

Ludwik sensed the delicacy of the situation. His brows furrowed slightly, probing, "She doesn't have a mom?"

"What's it to you?" Shane shot back, his tone sharp.

"Seeing if you're after something—or someone you can't have. Everyone has their weakness, or something they desire."

Shane paused, then fixed his gaze on Ludwik.

After a moment's thought, he spoke gravely, "You know Sandy Turner, right? Whitney's confidante. She's cousins with Florence. Four years ago, Sandy studied abroad and somehow forgot an entire year's worth of memories. I suspect Florence knows why. She's always been cruel, especially to Sandy, ganging up on her with another cousin. I need you to use your connection with Florence to force the truth out of her."

Ludwik raised an eyebrow, almost forgetting about Florence's troublesome nature.

Sandy, he recalled, was quite loyal to Whitney. It seemed Florence's malice ran deep, targeting even Sandy.

But what was Shane's interest in Sandy?

He pondered silently, then agreed with a half-smile, "Alright, I'll handle it for you."

"If you pull this off, consider it the foundation of our friendship."

With that, Shane had said all that needed to be said.

Ludwik understood; it was his ticket in.

"I'll be off then."