Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 403

Ella gasped, "Miss, you're so frail, this could kill you."

"It's alright, I really wanted to help Mr. Lippert's mother. It's just... after Mr. Lippert saved me in that alley, I fell for him at first sight. So, I had a selfish little request..."

The girl shyly raised her head, her gaze timid as a fawn.

Ludwik frowned.

She hurriedly added, bitterly, "Mr. Lippert, don't feel burdened. Liking you is my business! If Mr. Lippert can be a good boyfriend and fiancé, keep me warm, and let me experience true love, I'd die with no regrets." Ludwik somewhat understood her point.

He set his terms, "I can give you the status of a boyfriend or fiancé, the care and protection you're asking for. But, my heart, and anything more intimate, I can't. I won't be able to fall in love with you, I hope you understand."

Florence clearly understood. He was willing to play the perfect boyfriend, but he was offering only an empty shell, all fake warmth and affection. But it didn't matter. Time was on her side, and with her charm and strategies, she was sure she could win his heart from Whitney!

The girl smiled happily, "Having Mr. Lippert dote on me is enough for me."

"Do you have any other requests?" he asked.

"Yes." Florence said pitifully, "I want the donation of marrow and blood to be kept a secret from the public. My family doesn't know about my terminal illness; they think I'm just frail. If they found out about my donations, they'd be heartbroken." Ludwik nodded in agreement.

A young girl bearing a terminal illness? The man felt a faint sense of pity.

Dr. Johnson asked, "Miss Florence, how are you feeling? We need a full understanding to prepare for the blood transfusion and your care."

Florence nodded, looking at her doctor.

The doctor stepped forward, gravely, "Miss's condition is dire. She shouldn't be risking her life with a blood transfusion, but I couldn't dissuade her... Her terminal condition is a heart issue. Any excitement could induce coughing fits and fainting. If she's to donate marrow, she must be well looked after and kept happy."

Ludwik looked at the girl before him as though she were a precious resource.

would hold up his end of

emotion, "Starting today, I'll look after you, be the 'boyfriend' you

fiancé!" The girl's smile pierced Ludwik, reminding him vaguely of Whitney. The girls

taken aback, seeing in her the innocence and

a meeting at ten, shall I take you

call you

averse to such intimacy from other women,

also reach out to chat anytime?" she

part of being a 'boyfriend,' so

to his car, driving her to the Garden Hotel, then

to reject a marriage arrangement my family made. I don't want wealth or power, just to spend the rest of my life with someone I love. So, I'll bring you home to

for a moment, then

preparing to visit Emperor

-

Hotel, Ludwik, eyes closed, instructed, "Felix, dig up some information on

and Whitney... Felix dared not speak further, recalling the desolation in Mr. Lippert at the hospital, a side of him unseen before. Florence retracted

approached with a changed expression, "Miss Florence,

an illegitimate daughter, my father

now. Before my father finds out, we'll pack up and return to Emperor City." Myra smirked, their

sons, the master must've thought of your frailty in handling such a large estate... He wanted to bring back the illegitimate daughter, keeping the 'Miss' title for her since she's older than you. It's truly unfair to you." Florence's lips held a pale smile,

-

In the office.

hidden. But she is indeed from out of town, coming to Banyan City only to seek treatment." Ludwik narrowed his eyes. In the café, he'd noticed her reluctance to share her surname. He had sensed it was related

as she's not complicated. No need

Felix understood.

-

cemetery of