Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 489

Florence felt his gaze, cold as a winter storm, and knew she couldn't help but fear him in his presence. Yet, she was determined to make him regret underestimating her, to remind him who really had the upper hand in their deal.

On the surface, she played the part of the vulnerable damsel, her voice quivering, "Ludwik, it's not like I didn't want to donate blood. I was feeling terribly under the weather last night, so I couldn't. I thought we could discuss it when you arrived." "And what? You decide to bail on my mom at the last minute?" Ludwik's voice was frosty.

"It's not like that," Florence replied, her eyes welling up with tears. "You left me alone last night, and I was scared to go to the hospital by myself. Now that you're here, we can figure it out together."

The accusation and the veiled threat in her words were crystal clear.

"What do you want? An apology?" His laugh was as cold as ice.

Florence shivered slightly, her lips pursed thoughtfully. "I want you, Ludwik, to act more like a boyfriend. Not just someone who's always there, but never really there. You've never even held me when I was sick. That's not what you promised when you agreed to be the perfect boyfriend."

Ludwik sneered, "You think this deal is not worth it anymore?"

His words were sharp as knives.

Florence couldn't feel a shred of affection from him. Indeed, she was right; he'd sacrifice everything for Whitney, but couldn't spare a bit of love for her!

So, her previous strategy of being docile and compliant seemed pointless. If she couldn't touch his heart, how could she ever secure her place as Ludwik's wife? Florence looked pitifully at him, "Ask yourself, Ludwik, have you ever really cared for me? I'm offering my blood and bone marrow, my very life, for your mother." "But you said it was voluntary, didn't you? Is your generosity so fickle? Or did I misjudge you from the start, Florence?"

and the chill

deleting records? When

suggesting Florence's acquaintance with him wasn't mere

she was terminally ill. Yet,

patience didn't make

for her response, simultaneously voicing his speculation, "The day you brought me back to the Sheldon family, you lied about not knowing Whitney?

about you and your sister recently. I didn't mean to pick on her; I just felt betrayed because you lied about knowing

at her response. His icy gaze didn't waver. Whether the call went through or not wasn't his immediate concern. But Whitney had told

my past with Whitney, will you

had pushed him, hoping to change his behavior, but now found herself cornered by his assertiveness. She knew the blood transfusion must proceed. Without the

for Natalie, but only if you start treating me

mother relying on Florence's blood, he restrained himself, "If you're willing, then let's go.

She coughed softly, nodding, "Go ahead. I need to change." As he left the room, his presence still felt like a storm passing through. Florence took a deep breath, her friend Myra equally shaken, "Controlling Ludwik

No matter how proud he is, he has no choice," Florence said, her eyes

her phone rang. It was

quickly picked up, "Mother, about

kidnappers. They're drawing sketches and launching a manhunt. Those men were from your uncle and the Blue Gang. We need to deal with them." Florence's expression darkened. "Stay calm. Don't get involved directly, in case Whitney is bluffing. Let

Holly, sweating, agreed, "Okay..."

nervously, dialing her brother Hank Walker, "The kidnappers have been spotted. We