Love beyond the mask201-300

Novel Catalog

Chapter_253

Sammy’s footsteps were light but quick as he carefully maneuvered through the shadows, trying to keep a safe distance from the crowd while staying close enough to the Lamborghini to follow its movements. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear but from the thrill of the chase. Every step brought him closer to uncovering something that could change everything.

The convention center loomed ahead, a sleek glass-and-steel structure that reflected the setting sun in golden hues. Sammy’s eyes darted around as he surveyed the area, watching the entrance where his mother had just entered, followed by a few other high-profile guests. His mind whirred with possibilities. Why had she come here, to this exclusive, high-stakes auction? And why had she chosen such a moment to leave so suddenly?

With one last glance at the cab driver—who was still lurking a safe distance away—Sammy slipped into the crowd, unnoticed. He felt like a shadow, his small frame blending into the busy surroundings as he moved closer to the entrance. He knew he had to get in, but he couldn’t risk being seen. His curiosity was too strong, and the answers he was looking for were inside that building.

Just as Sammy reached the entrance, he froze. Two men in dark suits stood at the door, scanning the crowd. His pulse quickened. He wasn’t exactly old enough to blend into such an elite event, and the last thing he needed was to get caught. He scanned the area and spotted a group of people walking in, their faces turned just enough for him to make his move.

With a quick, well-timed step, Sammy joined the group, keeping his head down and his eyes forward. He adjusted his watch strap nervously but kept walking, pretending to be one of the attendees. He could feel his heart racing, but he pushed it aside. He was so close now.

Inside, the air was thick with the buzz of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the sharp scent of expensive cologne. The auction room was filled with finely dressed people, all speaking in hushed tones, their voices echoing in the vast space. Sammy crept along the edges of the room, scanning for his mother. He spotted her immediately—Whitney stood near the front, her figure poised and commanding. She was talking to a man in a sharp suit, his face familiar but distant in Sammy’s memory.

Sammy couldn’t get too close, but his eyes never left her. His mind was ablaze with questions. Why was she here? And who was that man she was speaking with? He was tall, with dark hair, and his body language suggested he was important. Sammy took a mental note of his face. He would need to remember every detail.

He moved closer, careful not to draw attention. As he inched toward the back of the room, his thoughts wandered again to the message Whitney had received earlier. Keegan’s trial. Sammy had heard whispers about it, but the specifics had been vague. What did it all mean? What kind of danger was his mother facing? Was it something that could put their whole world at risk?

His mind reeled with possibilities, and his hand instinctively went to his pocket, where he kept his little GPS device. He knew it was a little odd for someone his age to be so tech-savvy, but the watch had been a gift from Bryce. He trusted Bryce, and he knew the device could help him in ways no one else could.

Sammy’s attention snapped back to the conversation his mother was having. The man she was speaking to smiled, but there was something cold about his expression. He leaned in a little closer to her, his voice low and urgent.

Sammy strained to hear, but the chatter around him drowned out most of the words. His curiosity burned hotter. Whatever was happening here, it was big. And his mother wasn’t the only one with something to hide.

Suddenly, the man handed Whitney a sealed envelope, and she nodded in return. As she turned to leave, Sammy quickly moved to the side to avoid being seen. He was getting closer to the answers he’d been seeking—but now, with the envelope in hand, it seemed like the stakes were higher than ever.

Whitney’s footsteps echoed in the hall as she made her way toward the exit, her demeanor still calm but with a certain urgency now. Sammy could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he followed her, closer than ever.

His mother had come to this auction for a reason, but Sammy was starting to realize that there were forces at play here far beyond what he had imagined. And whatever they were, they weren’t just going to leave him or his family untouched.

Next Chapter