Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"If I spill the beans to Whitney, that her marriage was all your backstage maneuvering, and that it was you who used Sammy to blackmail her, do you think she'd still want anything to do with you?"

Florence dropped the bomb, fully expecting Bryce to be petrified.

Instead, the man merely chuckled, a dark undertone in his laughter. "Florence, you seem to be missing the point of your current situation.

Ludwik is down and out, your so-called backup plan has vanished into thin air.

Do you have any idea who's backing me?

The top family in Harmonia Country-the Patricks!

Cross me, and you're essentially crossing the Patricks and Jarvis. Do you really think you'll come out of this unscathed?"

"You...you're in cahoots with the Patricks."

Florence was utterly shocked. She had never seen it coming. Bryce, that supposed country bumpkin from Banyan City, when did he get involved with the Patricks?

Bryce cut in, "Did we have a deal before? I don't remember, and you'd do well to forget it too.

I'm not someone you can afford to mess with."

His voice was icy as he hung up.

Florence, holding her phone, shivered involuntarily.

Bryce was more venomous than she thought, spinning Whitney around his little finger.

She couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of joy at Whitney's predicament, thinking she wouldn't fare well in Bryce's hands.

But from now on, she and Bryce would have to keep their distance.

Ring-ring-Hugh's call came in urgently.

Florence, already on edge, answered irritably.

"Florence, did you threaten Bryce? The guy I sent got caught by Whitney. It's only a matter of time before she wrings the truth out of him. Keep Bryce out of this! Tell him to let the guy go!"

Florence's irritation grew, "It's no use, Uncle. Your rash actions...I didn't expect Whitney to find out so quickly.

We're too late!

The only way forward now is to go all in. Uncle, I heard the company seal and shares are with Dad-Cody. It's time you made your move!" Hugh was already planning this, his eyes flashing with malice. With Whitney back, she wouldn't let the Sheldon Group go easily.

He had to strike first.

"Florence, you should leave Emperor City for a few days. I'm worried Whitney might come after you. We can't let her succeed."

Florence felt a surge of anger but had no choice but to swallow it. She said, "Dad, you're my real father.

Now that Ludwik is down, I can't count on him anymore. The only thing I can rely on is you and the Sheldon Group. The company must be mine; I can't let Whitney have it, do you hear?"

Hugh was deeply moved.

This was the first time Florence had called him Dad. He had waited for over twenty years.

Every time he saw his daughter calling Hudson 'Dad,' his heart ached with bitterness and resentment.

"My daughter, for you, I'll make sure to eliminate Whitney once and for all. Don't worry."

A cold resolve filled Hugh's eyes.

Florence, trying to catch her breath, smirked coldly. Even without Ludwik as her backup, she was determined to win over Whitney and trample her underfoot.

"Dr. Ivan, how's my father been doing recently?"

At the hospital's entrance, Whitney asked with concern.

Dr. Ivan, however, revealed a hint of joy, "Ms. Valentine, you've been away and might not know, but the unexpected outcome of the last brain surgery... Jared Sheldon's nerves are gradually recovering. He might wake up within the next three months."

Whitney's eyes brightened, "That coincides with your earlier estimate of six months."

"Don't worry too much. It's all going according to plan."

Whitney steadied her heart and made a call to Cody, asking him to hire more veterans for security tomorrow.

She was determined to protect the Sheldon Group and prevent a recurrence of today's events.

"Mommy." Sammy came out.

Checking the time, Bryce said, "It's getting late, Whitney. You skipped dinner to come here, and I bet Sammy hasn't eaten either, worrying about his grandfather."

The little guy's stomach growled.

Whitney immediately scooped up her son, feeling both heartache and guilt, "Sammy, mommy's here now. I'll take over protecting grandpa. You're too young to worry so much.

Can you tell mommy... where that doctor lives? I want to understand your condition and negotiate with him."

"Mommy!" Sammy looked nervous, "You can't go there."

"Didn't you say you're not scared of them anymore?" Whitney frowned.

Sammy lowered his head, resorting to a lie, "He's still threatening my illness. If you all start showing up, he might think you're against him and not treat me properly."

"Then, can you come home with mommy tonight?" Whitney thought, planning to secretly investigate the doctor.

After hesitating, Sammy, missing his mother's embrace, agreed.

Florence would surely be furious tonight and too preoccupied to inquire about Ryan's situation.

Slipping away for one night wouldn't raise her suspicions, right?

He took his mother's hand, "Let's go eat first, then I'll stay with you tonight."

Whitney finally smiled, "You go with Bryce, and I'll take care of the bill."

She headed to the payment counter, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure.noveldrama

Natalie walked in, accompanied by a

maid, looking anxious and politely

inquiring about something with a nurse. Hesitating before entering the elevator, the maid seemed to be consulting with her.

Whitney paused, guessing Natalie was here to visit someone from the Lippert family, someone other than Natalie she didn't know. Could it be Jason was ill and admitted here?

This was a Sheldon Group hospital...

Whitney quietly averted her gaze, ultimately passing by without offering assistance.

Now, Natalie was no longer a part of her world.

That night, they returned to Delight Mansion.

Danny, seeing Sammy, was overjoyed, whispering, "You ditched your bro for a girl, only mom could've lured you back home.

Look at our place, it's huge, mom bought it outright with the money she made."

"Huge."

"Bro, let me show you upstairs."

Meanwhile, Bryce stood at the

doorway, conversing with Keegan in a cultured manner. Whitney, after cleaning his stained coat, handed it

over, expressing her gratitude, "Bryce, thank you for tonight couldn't have handled Hugh and his gang without you." Content belongs

"There's no need for such formalities with me." Bryce looked deeply into her eyes, then deliberately glanced at his watch, "Uncle, it's getting late, you

all should head to bed."

Whitney nodded, but then Keegan nudged her from behind.

She momentarily grasped Keegan's intention, yet her expression stiffened, instinctively hesitating to say anything to make him stay.

Keegan glared at her, then with a mix of frustration and humor, said, "Bryce, it is late. Why don't you stay here tonight?"

Bryce paused, then looked towards Whitney with an intense gaze, "Well then, I'll impose on Uncle and Whitney tonight."

"It's no imposition, you and Whitney are practically family."

Keegan then turned, his voice laden

with meaning as he advised, "Whitney, you have no idea. After you went missing, Bryce hardly cared for his work, he spent every day searching for you."