Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 471

Separated by just a wall, the chill wind made Ludwik tighten his jacket as he sighed, his long strides taking him into the elevator.

Inside the house, Whitney leaned against the door, her hand covering her eyes as if to shield herself from the emotional storm within. Anger nearly choked her breath.

Their discussion had been about Sammy, but a single call from Florence and Ludwik was ready to dash to her side, breaking any resolve he had.

What was it about that woman that so captivated him?

Sammy's well-being had been brushed aside so hastily.

Whitney's gaze faltered, drifting unfocused to her phone as a new notification pinged. Opening Twitter, she wasn't surprised to find Florence's post from a minute ago: "His whereabouts during the day don't matter; every night he returns to snuggle beside me Mr. Lippert, my love."

Whitney scoffed; the message was clearly a jab at her.

Yet her eyes still burned, misty with the harsh truth that, time and again, Florence was prioritized over his own son. That was the reality!

Foolish Whitney... those wandering emotions of yours only highlight your naivety. Stop letting him play you... Tossing the phone aside, she took a deep breath, steadying her emotions before heading to Danny's room, hoping to offer some solace.

The little guy was bundled up in bed, his face the only thing colder than ice, but otherwise, he seemed okay.

"Mommy always said, don't let him ruin your mood. Daddy is Daddy, and you are you," Whitney said softly, caressing his head.

"Let's forget about that jerk. He's gone. Mommy, I wanted to tell you about something I saw at the Sheldons' place."

see?" her son managed to avoid mentioning Ludwik

bedroom, but Emma caught me. Mommy... there's something eerie about Florence. I saw all these weird potion bottles, and then, there were books on hypnotism!" "Hypnotism?" Whitney frowned. The bottles could

Then I sneaked around to the back where there are several cottages, and there's this

Sheldon estate that Hudson mentioned was used for storage. At the far end of the Sheldon Mansion, neglected for years, "That cottage, what about

of the connection I have with Sammy. But I got dragged away by Molly before I could investigate further. The cottage

you save the photo

"I didn't, why?"

match the embroidery on the fabric with the flowers he'd seen

fabric, I think I saw it at the Sheldon

breath hitched. The embroidery seemed

flower comes from, if it's rare. I'll try to sneak back to the Sheldons' cottage

the uncommon flower, intricately embroidered on a piece of fabric, was indeed planted at the Sheldon Mansion, could Sammy's disappearance be linked to the Sheldon family? Excluding the father,

bold suspicion, especially after Danny mentioned Florence's odd look at him-a theory formed in her mind. But

ask your dad for the photo

of hope, Danny settled down, "Mommy, let's sleep. Hopefully, Sammy is somewhere safe too, eating and sleeping. We'll

welled up as she kissed his forehead, "You're amazing,

"Mommy, are you asleep?"

darkness, Danny's muffled voice

""What is it?"

he's being blackmailed by that witch,

into the darkness at her son, feeling a bitter cold mix with sorrow.

guilty about seeing their mistresses. They're usually thrilled. But Ludwik seems miserable. He hasn't laughed in a long time... except when he's with grandma

at justifying Ludwik's actions, Whitney smiled bitterly. Her son