Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 396

health checks?"

The faint bluish tinge of the needle mark on Natalie's back suggested recent injections, a detail that puzzled Whitney. Furrowing her brow, she snapped a photo with her smartphone and gently inquired, "Natalie, have you been feeling any different lately? Had any major "I'm fine," Natalie responded, slightly taken aback but smiling. "Though, I did have quite a few tests done today..."

Outside the room, Ludwik's expression shifted upon hearing Whitney's questioning, calling out, "Whitney!"

Whitney turned to see Ludwik approaching with a frown, seemingly displeased by her intrusion into the hospital room. She paused, her lips parting slightly.

She had come at Tiana's behest, hearing that Natalie might be in trouble and wanted to see for herself.

But Ludwik's wary look made Whitney hold back further questions.

"Could you step outside for a moment?" Ludwik asked, his voice low.

Stepping out, Whitney faced Ludwik, her cheeks flushed from a slight fever, her gaze somewhat weary.

Ludwik stepped closer, touching her forehead with a tenderness that belied his concern. "You're ill yourself; why come visit your mother?"

came along," Whitney replied, turning her

hand fell as he asked,

lightly. "You're still wary about me treating your

it that way..." Ludwik started, but Whitney cut him off, showing him the photo of Natalie's back. "I found this needle mark on Natalie. Has she been having spinal issues, needing injections or spinal taps? It doesn't seem related to her current condition." Ludwik, taken aback by the image, hadn't been aware of any recent procedures on his mother's spine.

Whitney, sensing his underlying message of keeping her out of it, replied with a hint of resignation, "I get it. I won't interfere anymore. I'm leaving, and Danny wants to come back to the

a ride home was briskly refused, the tension between them palpable as Danny

out, "Whitney, can we not do this? Please, don't

there to say? Your caution is understandable," Whitney

a formal suit, introducing him as Jason's aide from Emperor City,

aide, Whitney left with Danny, her heart heavy with misunderstood intentions and unspoken

Natalie's room, the conversation turned to family secrets and past grievances, revealing a tapestry of sacrifice, hidden love, and the complex ties binding them to Jason and the Lippert family. Ludwik's resolve to protect his mother from the harsh truth of her illness clashed with his desire to mend the fractures within

after many years, Jason

"Son, I've lived under Kaden's cold shoulder, dragging you down with me, depriving you of fatherly love and leaving scars on your psyche. After all these years,

wish is for you to achieve unparalleled success. When you're powerful, you'll naturally be able to protect me, Whitney, and the kids. Leaving Banyan City, this vortex

clenched her fists, and Ludwik understood

lifetime of indignity, it was time for him

to Emperor City was