Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Whitney nodded, her lips pressed tight. "If we can just get a sample of Florence and Hugh's hair, everything will be clear. I could use this against Hugh and Holly, just bring it up at the shareholders' meeting. If Florence isn't my dad's biological daughter, she won't inherit the Sheldon Group. Then, my dad's company could be saved. But... this would mean exposing my dad's scandal. He always believed Florence was his legitimate daughter! Also, I have to consider the reputation of the Sheldon family and how Jared and Emma would cope. With dad in a coma, I can't know what he would think. Would he approve of my actions?"

Tiana understood. "This is a last resort. You can't seek revenge now, but you can clear up Florence's background."

Whitney nodded, one step at a time. She had to take down Florence to rescue Sammy.

"By the way," Tiana suddenly mentioned, "Valerie texted me a few days ago. Elaine vanished all of a sudden. Ashton searched the hospital for a long time but couldn't find her."

---

Meanwhile, in a car.

Parker mentioned to Ludwik, "Ashton called me. Elaine suddenly left the hospital and disappeared."

"When did this happen?" Ludwik's brows furrowed.

"Just these past few days. Ashton had people search Banyan City, but she's nowhere to be found."

"What about the cops watching her?"

Parker felt guilty. "I asked. Those officers were out to lunch, probably got distracted by Elaine. Do you think she went back to Emperor City?" "Why would Elaine go back to Emperor City? The Bartels are finished."

This was an unpredictable factor, and Ludwik didn't want any complications. "Go check if she went home."

"Okay."

Parker texted his contacts, started the car, then changed the topic, "Felix said you had him stir trouble for Bryce. Looks like Whitney didn't accept your land offer?"

Ludwik's tone was cool. "Even if she doesn't accept my land, she can't move in with Bryce."

Parker gave a thumbs up. "Did you ask her about Natalie's condition? The spinal issue?"

"Haven't got to it." Whitney barely gave him a chance to talk. And he was unsure whether to tell her about the poisonous pills she had been given over the past three years. But Ludwik had called Dr. Ford. Dr. Ford revealed that Whitney suspected someone had injected something into her mother's spine.

"Whitney reminded you about the night your mother was kidnapped when someone injected her spine?"

Parker nodded. "Whitney wouldn't lie to me."

Ludwik's eyes darkened. Could his mother's leukemia be related to the spinal injection? This person had to be either Elaine or Florence. Florence was there the night of the kidnapping, otherwise, how would Sammy end up with her?

A choking sensation hit Ludwik as he suddenly thought, why was Florence's blood type and spinal marrow a perfect match for his mother? His gaze fell into darkness. If this was a premeditated plan... if his mother's leukemia was an error in Dr. Ford's research, unrelated to Whitney's medication?! Ludwik felt his heart tighten. Perhaps he had been misled from the start, wrongly accusing Whitney. Then Florence, she deserved to pay. No, she should make amends to his mother first, ensure her recovery, then he would deal with her ruthlessly.

Parker noticed Ludwik's intense gaze, witnessing his inner turmoil. "Ludwik, you think there's something fishy about Natalie's illness? What's going on?"

"Not sure."

.ne

A pang of pain hit Ludwik. If all this was Florence's doing, how far off track had he and Whitney been led? Damn Dr Ford. He immediately texted Dr. Ford, "Analyze the pills you've been giving my mother these past three years. Again! Make sure there are no toxins that could cause leukemia."

His fingers pressed hard against the phone, and Ludwik's mind flashed with an image of Whitney's face, innocent and sincere. Maybe had never harmed his mother, intentionally or unintentiona had only shown endless kindness and filial piety! Regret and agitation turned his eyes red.

She

"Ludwik... Ludwik! Your phone's ringing," Parker reminded him.

Ludwik glanced down, his brooding expression smoothing out as he answered, "Felix."

Parker glanced at the rearview mirror, noticing Ludwik's mood darken again. "Bryce was released from the station in less than half an hour? Who bailed him out?... You can't find out?"

Parker pulled over.

Ludwik's expression was icy. "That failed real estate project he bought was previously under the Lippert Group. The person backing Bryce is either Jarvis or Thea. Who else could it be?"

On the phone, Felix sounded troubled. "Mr. Lippert, I've checked. Bryce hasn't met with Jarvis or Thea, or anyone from their side recently. The person behind Bryce remains a mystery, but it's clear they've been supporting him."

Ludwik's expression darkened. His sharp instincts told him, whoever was backing Bryce, was targeting him. But besides Jarvis and Thea, Ludwik couldn't think of anyone else. Yet, there was another puzzle Ludwik couldn't figure out. For years, Jarvis had been secretly funneling untol amounts of funds into the Patrick Group through his dealings with the Lippert Group. The Patrick Group, once the underdog among the empires of Empire City, and the Patrick family, lacked any notable figures. Why would Jarvis align with Thea? Why help Thea elevate the Patrick Group to power? They were only related through marriage, not blood. There seemed to be no reason for such closeness. It was time to go home, to have a serious talk with Jason.

"Parker, drive me back to Brew Hill, to the Lippert Resort."novelbin

Parker frowned. "Ludwik, what's going on?"

"Someone's backing Bryce, likely aiming at me." Ludwik paused, thinking. "But my gut tells me, this person is connected to Jarvis somehow." "The Lippert Group has been a bit rocky lately," Parker sighed. "You're facing troubles from all sides."

At the Sheldon Mansion.

In a secluded guesthouse in the backyard, Holly sat on Hugh's lap, drenched in sweat and slowly dressing, a look of contentment on her face. Hugh stood, wrapping his arms around her, his eyes brimming with affection as he followed with a kiss.

"Enough, Hugh, I'm tired."

"At last, we don't have to sneak around anymore!"

A cold gleam passed through Hugh's eye, making his handsome face appear even more sinister. Compared to Hudson, Hugh was not lacking in looks, but he missed Hudson's masculine charm and refined grace. He was a dark character, and on top of that, he was physically impaired.

Holly weighed her options silently, her face a mask of tenderness. "Hugh, now that the Sheldon Group is ours. Thank you for everything you've done for our daughter."

At her words, Hugh hinted darkly, "My dear, we've loved each other for so many years, and now I control the Sheldon Group. Florence has become the heir, my pride and joy. When will you tell her that I am her real father?"

Holly's face shifted slightly at his words.