Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 417

For Mrs. Sheldon, the person she despised most back in the day was Parisa.

Her son, outstanding and distinguished, was seduced by Parisa, a girl from a humble background, nearly causing a rift with the Sheldon family.

She had three children: Hudson was the eldest, the second had issues, and the youngest, a daughter, was Sienna's mother.

The Sheldon family almost lost their heirloom, and at one point, they nearly fell apart! Her opinion of Parisa was nothing short of calling her a siren.

Mrs. Sheldon snorted coldly at the thought, her gaze on Whitney growing even colder, "What's the use of being pretty? A girl needs to have a good character, follow the rules, and know honor from disgrace.

Especially women from a centuries-old dynasty like ours, need to be as pure as the driven snow, not always scheming to seduce the powerful. Like Holly and Hudson, perfectly matched, even Holly's daughter Florence, gentle as water, uncontentious with the world. That's what a true lady looks like."

Mrs. Sheldon's words were clearly pointed, and even more so, pointed at multiple targets.

Whitney caught the harshness in her words, felt upset for her mother, and was indirectly scolded as a newly acknowledged granddaughter.

Her heart turned cold, indignant for her mother, but she remained silent, watching the dynamics unfold, understanding who was truly family and who was distant.

"Mom, it's Whitney's first day back home, was it necessary to say all this?"

Hudson, slightly annoyed but hesitant, afraid to bring up Parisa and hurt Whitney further, frowned, "Enough, I'm acknowledging my daughter, let's keep other opinions to ourselves."

"Yeah, Mom, I think Whitney is quite polite. You keep praising me and Florence, be careful Whitney might feel left out."

Holly, slightly embarrassed as if trying to keep the peace, said.

"If she feels left out, that really would show her small-mindedness." Mrs. Sheldon glanced at Whitney, displeased. "Aunt, you are so considerate." Sienna complimented.

Whitney saw through Holly's not-so-simple maneuvers; bringing Sienna and Mrs. Sheldon into play,

Sienna acted willful and naive, Mrs. Sheldon was challenging, and with a few words, Holly easily ignited their ire towards her. And she herself, was the gentle Mrs. Sheldon.

hid her smirk, obediently saying, "Of course, I won't take it to heart, being

mom, and you weren't upset, truly

realize something, his

to achieve?" Hudson's voice was low but stern. "Honey, I

She was furious inside.

turning with a smile, "Where's Florence? That child is frail, Holly, why

she's in love and will bring her boyfriend today

and then at Hudson, slapping her thigh, "Oh, I almost forgot, Florence did say she'd bring her boyfriend home today to meet her parents. Coincidentally, Whitney is also back today; it's

Florence start dating? I've not heard her mention it,

said, "Florence told me it

her frail health, I didn't ask much about the

glancing at Whitney, a ripple of coldness hidden behind her

topic being unrelated to her,

butler suddenly announced from outside, "Sir, madam, Mrs. Sheldon, Miss Sheldon has brought a

taken aback, furrowed his

to the entrance to

a fine young man; I

mansion, a Bentley pulled up, its headlights shining, illuminating the spacious back seat as the

a

pottery we made together would make a good gift for my sister? It's her first time coming home, and I'm so happy. Our home has been quite lonely with just me

is coming home for the first time?" Ludwik got out, helping the

streetlight, "Yes, I haven't met her. She's the daughter my dad just

Ludwik's heart skipped a beat, an

even took a dance lesson. If Ludwik hadn't been there to support me, I couldn't have managed." The girl twirled

home, her parents

role, 'cooperating' by gently catching

man said with

cast a soft, yellow glow, the beautiful couple embraced in a dance, a scene of romance

who is this gentleman?" Hudson coughed,

untangled herself from the man's embrace,