Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 427

At a quarter past eleven, Ludwik's phone abruptly rang, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Dr. Ford from Banyan City on the line. Ludwik's face turned ashen. "Why would she suddenly start coughing up blood and go into shock?" Dr. Ford relayed the events with a tone of resignation, "Natalie seemed to have been on the phone with Ms. Valentine when it happened..."

-

Whitney had been hiding downstairs for two hours until Danny's call came through. The little guy was still awake at this hour, clearly worried about his mom. After a good cry, Whitney felt somewhat calmer. Her heart felt numb. She reminded herself that she didn't come to Emperor City just for romance; she was here for her mother, to find Sammy. She had to make a life here; she wasn't leaving!

The Sheldons, mother and daughter, seemed to have been scheming around her for a while. Florence was more than she appeared. Now that her competitive spirit was ignited, Whitney was determined to penetrate the Sheldon's secrets and settle old scores. After splashing her face with cold water, Whitney headed back upstairs to her room.

"Mummy! Did anyone at grandpa's house bully you? I checked, and the most prestigious estate in Brew Hill belongs to the Lipperts. Did you see daddy when you were there?"

Danny was like a little watchdog, waiting anxiously at the door for her. After a hefty sigh, Whitney looked at her adorable son. Right, she still had her son. He was her last line of defense. She hugged the boy tightly, exhausted yet unwilling to let him see her hurt by the truth about Ludwik, so she said nothing. "Mummy is really hungry, Danny. How about we have some pizza together?"

Whitney asked the nanny to order two large pizzas. Danny, already full, watched as his mom devoured her slices. He sensed his mom wasn't happy, forcing food down as if it was a chore. Just as he was about to ask, Whitney's phone rang.

"It's daddy!" Danny lit up, eagerly answering the call for her. Whitney's face froze, too late to stop him. Before she could speak, Ludwik's stern voice came through, "Whitney, it's not you; it's me. Why provoke her? Do you have any idea, because of what you said, she's coughed up blood and is in shock. She's adamant about coming to Emperor City to find you... you don't know she's..." suffering from leukemia.

lock herself in. Her heart felt cold, as if Ludwik's words couldn't hurt her anymore. "I didn't know you were so vengeful! Staying in Emperor City just to get back at me? I have ways to make you leave." Before Ludwik could continue, Whitney cut in with a cold laugh, "I never knew a man could be so low, lying even to his own mother! You're

she wouldn't be surprised. But she hadn't expected her anger to trigger Natalie's condition. What was going on? Feeling slightly

did daddy find

little guy was furious. "How could he do this to us? The big jerk, if he dares to betray you, I

needed. Perhaps, with Danny's

-

tonight at the Lippert Resort on the mountain. Jason is hosting a welcome party for Ludwik. Florence and

"You're the Sheldon family's daughter. It's time you were introduced to the elite circles of Emperor City. It'll help you establish yourself, and pave the

her best interest, Whitney couldn't ignore his last remark. If she wanted to stand firm within the Sheldon family, attending was inevitable. As soon as Hudson hung up, an indignant voice piped up, "Uncle! A first family's gala,

for your information, she's not a 'nobody'. If you can't learn to respect your cousin, I might just revoke your

walked over. "Whitney is the Sheldon family's darling. I think it's wonderful that Dad is taking

Florence? You're actually defending that country bumpkin? You're way

blinked innocently. "Why should there be any

"Florence, you're the sensible one. Sienna's just spoiled rotten

a stern look before turning to see Holly emerge, seizing the moment to give her instructions. "Dear, are you going shopping for Florence's dress? Pick up a few dozen for Whitney too, only