Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Hudson hesitated for a moment before turning to Whitney in a low voice, "Look, Whitney, forget about the basement for a sec, and what's with the flowers. Florence said she's clueless, plus, the kids aren't here in the mansion. Maybe you got it wrong?"

He really didn't want to think the worst of Florence. Kidnapping Whitney's child, that's just evil!

Whitney felt cornered. Without Sammy, she couldn't prove her case. The handkerchief and the basement's layout might seem like clutching at straws to Hudson. Florence could easily deny everything—the handkerchief wasn't custom-made for her, she didn't plant the flowers, she knew nothing about the basement. She could deflect all the blame since proof would take time and some things might never be verified!

She stared at Florence, "Dad, I'm not mistaken. Whoever took my child will face karma! This mansion is so eerie, let's seal it off. No one touches anything inside! Dad, you might want to see for yourself, how 'thoughtfully' she has renovated it. Maybe then you'll see her in a new light." Whitney's gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept over Florence. Without finding Sammy, she didn't linger. Taking Danny by the hand, she left the mansion.

Exiting the Sheldon family's grand hallway, Ludwik just caught the tail end of Parker's recount. The man's sculpted features tightened, breath quickening, his knuckles turning white. Ludwik's gaze was fixed on the Sheldon mansion. Seeing Whitney emerge with Danny but without Sammy, his eyelids drooped, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Sammy wasn't found in there?!" Parker was surprised. With the car window down, Whitney caught Ludwik's eye. His face was pale and weak. She looked away.

Parker leaned out, "What's going on?" Whitney just shook her head slightly at Parker. Her brows furrowed with fatigue and cold resolve, and she got into her car with Danny. Minutes after Whitney drove off, Ludwik turned his car around, trailing behind Whitney's.novelbin

Upstairs in the Sheldon Mansion, Holly peeked out of the window, then rushed to Florence's vanity, exclaiming, "Florence! Myra said Ludwik was at the Sheldon family's gate. He never came in. I just saw Whitney leave with that brat. She didn't talk to him, but his car lingered before following Whitney. Parker was with him; he's probably going to spill everything to Ludwik!"

"You better figure something out, don't let Ludwik suspect you're behind Sammy's disappearance!"

Florence's mood darkened, tossing the handkerchief onto the floor, "That damn handkerchief caused all this trouble. I barely convinced dad about that clutter room. Today's mess... we can't hide it from Ludwik."

After a moment of thought, she looked up sharply, "I already crossed swords with Ludwik back in Banyan City. Mom, playing the damsel in distress won't work anymore. No matter what Ludwik thinks, Whitney didn't find Sammy here. And I've learned that Natalie's surgery has been moved up a month. I now have the upper hand, why not be upfront and renegotiate terms..."

A cold smile played on her lips as she shed any pretense of vulnerability, her mind working overtime. Holly smirked, "If playing the victim won't win him over, maybe it's time for a new strategy."

Exiting her daughter's room, Holly quietly entered a guest room where Hugh sat in a wheelchair, staring blankly at her. Approaching, she leaned into him, her eyes cold, "Florence and I are at a disadvantage. Even with your mom blocking the divorce, Hudson will kick me out! We need to move our plan forward..."

Hugh stroked her hair, "Yeah."

Whitney needed a moment to calm her thoughts. Why would Florence kidnap Sammy? Was it during their time in Banyan City, under Elaine's watch? What was her motive so early on? Then it clicked for Whitney. Florence aimed to drive a wedge between her and Ludwik from the start! She succeeded! Everything was part of Florence's elaborate scheme, step by step...

Whitney felt a cold sweat on her forehead. Back at the hotel, she settled a tired and sad Danny before her doorbell rang. Opening the door, she found Parker and Ludwik, the latter supported by the former.

Parker spoke up, "Ms. Valentine, Hank has been controlled by Ludwik, and the kidnapper has been caught. Maybe you two should talk."

After ushering the frail man inside, Parker left. Ludwik struggled to stand. Whitney, despite her reluctance, had to support him, "Where's your wheelchair?"

"I didn't want to use it to see you," Ludwik rasped.

As Whitney helped him onto the sofa, her expression remained cold. He gave her a deep look, "You can use the evidence against the Walker family to pressure Holly, negotiate with your father, and get into the Sheldon Group headquarters."

Whitney was taken aback by his

suggestion. She thought he'd side with Florence, given how Holly had wronged her, and he even

et

remembered the competition that prevented her from entering Sheldon Group. Her lips pressed tightly together; she stared at his

handsome features. Why didn't he

mention Sammy? Didn't Parker tell him?

Whitney wanted to bring it up, to accuse Florence of kidnapping Sammy, but would he believe her? The air was thick with tension and the unmistakable tang of blood

Whitney's gaze sharplyain

Ludwik's chest, where a dark stain was spreading across his shirt. His face, usually so composed, was tight with pain.

Whitney's voice was icy, "You need to get to a hospital!"

"I came because I have something to ask you." Ludwik's eyes, heavy with a mix of pain and concern, met hers. "Parker mentioned you haven't been

digging into the car accident. He suspects you might know who tampered with your car. Tell me, who was it?"

The scent of blood was becoming

overpowering. Finally, Whitney

turned, retrieving a first aid kit from the other room. Seeing her actions, a hint of softness flickered across Ludwik's face. He gritted his teeth and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a blood-soaked bandage beneath.

Whitney frowned as she approached him, feeling the heat radiating from his body. He was running a high fever.

"You should be in a hospital!"

"Aren't you going to treat me?" His lips curved in a pained smirk, his gaze fixed on her, a blend of tenderness and detachment. "After all, you did save me, only to get hurt in the process."

She couldn't ignore that fact.

"Who tampered with your car?" he pressed.

Whitney didn't hold back. "It might have been Thea."

"Thea?" Ludwik thought of Jarvis, but Thea? "What grudge does she have against you? You two don't even know each other."

"I caught her in a compromising situation."

It was a complicated story, one Whitney wasn't ready to delve into. Shifting the subject, she eyed his wounds, unable to hold back her concern. "How's Natalie?"

Ludwik stiffened at the mention of the name, a reaction that made Whitney pause, her gaze sharpening.

Ludwik looked away. "It's the same. Organ failure. Treatment takes time."

"Is it really just organ failure? She doesn't have some other condition?"

Ludwik's gaze snapped to hers.

Whitney inhaled sharply, her voice cold and direct. "Ludwik, your relationship with Florence is there some ulterior motive? Is it related to your mother's illness?"