Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 416

Chapter 416

Ludwik forced his eyes shut, replying with a deliberate chill in his tone, "Whitney, you shouldn't have come to Empire City."

"What are you doing here, all strangers in a strange land? Go back to Banyan City, take good care of Danny, and don't just abandon your son like that."

He harbored a secret desire for her not to come to Empire City, fearing she might catch him with Florence...

The man gave a bitter smile, fully aware that she and Bryce had moved on, yet he clung to a fantasy. Maybe, just maybe, after his agreement with Florence ended in two years, he'd stand a chance... Self-deception, that's what it was.

It wasn't that he didn't want to see her, but he had already promised Florence his day.

With a twist of his brow and a tone devoid of warmth, he added, "I'm swamped, got a meeting this afternoon. You should leave."

Hopefully, that would send her back to Banyan City sooner.

Staring at his message felt like a cold shower to Whitney.

Why was he ordering her around, shooing her away with such detachment?

Alright, since he didn't know she had come back to reconnect with family, she'd let it slide.

Her heart sunk, though. She had mustered up the courage to extend this olive branch.

"Mama..." Danny woke, rubbing his big eyes and snuggling closer.

Seeing Mama texting Daddy made him ecstatic, but his joy quickly faded, his nose wrinkling in disappointment. "What's with this deadbeat dad acting all high and mighty? Can't he see you're giving him a chance to make things right?" Noticing his mother's dejection, Danny immediately said, "Call him!"

"You call him." Whitney, too, was irked, dialing the number before handing the phone to Danny.

Danny listened to the ringback tone, anticipation building.

---

"Ludwik-? Could you grab me..."

Florence glanced up, spotting Ludwik's phone vibrating. He was staring at it, undecided about picking up, a deep contemplation in his gaze.

arm, "Ludwik, could you get me that glazed pot-? Oh!

grasp, tumbling into

frowned, reaching to retrieve it, but Whitney's call went

Florence gasped, hastening to help fish it

the mud, was clearly ruined. Ludwik's gaze darkened, resigning, "It's wrecked,

my fault..." The girl looked

---

pick up after two

he really is busy

sending another message to explain: [I'm not leaving. I've brought Danny to Empire City too; he wants to see his

no reply, no sign of him

Are we not more important than his

he shows up

"A whole row of

prick him good." Danny huffed, trying to cheer his

five, Mr. Sheldon's driver arrived, Whitney reluctantly handing Danny over to

with two bodyguards from Banyan City, made her feel

something more appropriate, she stepped

the opulent Brew Hill estate-Sheldon Mansion, where she bumped into Hudson descending from a grand manor atop

the first

to the hilltop, winking, "I was looking for Jason Lippert, but

on, but before she could ponder

graceful woman emerged from the mansion, "Husband, is this Whitney? She's quite the

wife, Holly." Hudson introduced

"Nice to meet you."

mind. This woman, unlike expected, welcomed her warmly

on in." Holly smiled, leading the

dodge, she slipped on the wet path,

a haughty girl, her laugh

locking eyes with

playing at?" Holly sighed, introducing, "Whitney, this is your cousin,

Turner, apologize to your

glared at Whitney, "She's not Florence, the legitimate Ms. Sheldon. What sister is she to me, just a country bumpkin." With

asked you

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