Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 424

Hudson glanced over, shaking his head. "It's empty, just stuffed with odds and ends. We had to seal it up because we were worried the family dog might get in there and start chewing everything." "Is that so?" Whitney frowned, but her gaze couldn't help but drift back, drawn by some inexplicable pull, perhaps the eeriness of the antiquity.

Hudson's true intention wasn't to show her the room but to find a quiet spot to talk to his daughter. His voice carried a hint of resignation, his eyes complex. "Whitney, tonight's developments were unexpected. Florence and Ludwik dating came as a surprise. I can see you're hurt. Is there something between you and Ludwik that I don't know about? It's only recently we've reconnected, and I'm still catching up on your life. I blame myself for this. The merger between the Lippert family and the Sheldon Group seems set in stone, and I'm afraid it's too late to change anything..."

Listening to his apology, Whitney's heart felt bitter. She scoffed, shaking her head. "Dad, don't blame yourself. This isn't on you. It all boils down to my poor judgment in men. I couldn't care less about this merger with the Sheldon Group now." "This is all so sudden; I'll look into it," Hudson said, squinting at her. "You're not staying here tonight?"

Whitney needed to get away, to catch her breath. She was putting on a brave face, but alone, she'd face her rawest emotions. Tears glimmered in the corners of her eyes as she smiled. "No, I'll be leaving shortly. Danny's waiting for me back home." "If Ludwik wasn't so influential, I'd give him a piece of my mind," Hudson said, his frustration evident.

Heading back inside, Whitney grabbed her bag, and Hudson's driver followed her out. Under the porch light, the elongated shadows of a man and woman entangled, seemingly in an embrace. Florence stood close to Ludwik, whispering sweet nothings, oblivious to the world around them.

Whitney's steps halted abruptly. The sight of Ludwik bending over to accommodate Florence, a profile Whitney once adored, now dripped with irony.

"Ludwik, you're so tall. Doesn't it tire you to stoop down to talk to me?" Florence's voice was sugary sweet.

"Not at all."

think I'm

voice was patient, albeit

beautiful. I was stunned when I first saw her today. She's much prettier than me. Sickly people like me just don't have that kind of glow. Do you think, after

affection more than mere

looked down. "I'm being boring, aren't I? Sorry, I

her despite his own turmoil. "Don't be discouraged; it's bad for your health. Florence, you're beautiful in your own way. Remember to check

only every dog didn't block the path," a voice

around, startled to see Whitney clutching her bag tightly, her eyes vacant as if she hadn't seen him. Brushing past without a

you leaving? Won't you stay... Ah!" Florence moved to speak but suddenly swayed, nearly collapsing. Ludwik, unsure if Whitney was to blame, instinctively caught Florence. "Are you

with a pained smile. "I wonder if she dislikes me. Is it just

making her appear even more fragile. A shadow

---

and only returned to the country half a month ago, avoiding Emperor City. As her mother, you have no idea where she's

She doesn't need to report everything to me. Since coming back, Myra's

gaze sharpened, pressing on. "So it's just a coincidence that I bring Whitney home the same day Florence brings Ludwik to meet us? And this merger between the Lippert and Sheldon families,

Florence was dating Ludwik, and according to Florence, she was just as surprised. It's just a twist of fate. And you know Florence, always so