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.

"Of course, I won't take it to heart, being

generous just now, mentioning to Grandma: I resemble my mom, and you weren't

this reminder, seemed to realize something, his

Mom prejudiced against Whitney! What are you trying to achieve?" Hudson's voice was low but stern.

She was furious inside.

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

said she's in love and will bring her boyfriend today to meet us,

looking at Mrs. Sheldon 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,

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

me it

so happy she's in love given her frail health, I didn't

glancing at Whitney, a ripple of coldness

her, Whitney paid

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

furrowed his brows but stood

to the entrance to welcome

boyfriend must be a

a Bentley pulled up, its headlights shining, illuminating

up a cup, smiling,

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

time?" Ludwik got out, helping the girl down from the

purely under the streetlight, "Yes, I haven't met her. She's

a beat, an inexplicable anxiety

house, Florence spoke softly, "I'm so happy today, I finally went out on a date like other girls, did pottery, even took a dance lesson. If Ludwik hadn't been there to support me, I couldn't have managed." The girl twirled at the doorstep, a mix of joy and sorrow in her voice, "I didn't dance well, did I, Ludwik? Hold

home, her parents might

'cooperating' by

said with a soft,

porch light cast a soft, yellow glow, the beautiful couple

and who is this gentleman?" Hudson

with embarrassment as she swiftly untangled herself from the man's embrace, "This is