Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 496

Hudson hesitated for a moment before turning to Whitney in a low voice, "Look, Whitney, forget about the basement for a sec, and what's with the flowers. Florence said she's clueless, plus, the kids aren't here in the mansion. Maybe you got it wrong?" He really didn't want to think the worst of Florence. Kidnapping Whitney's child, that's just evil!

Whitney felt cornered. Without Sammy, she couldn't prove her case. The handkerchief and the basement's layout might seem like clutching at straws to Hudson. Florence could easily deny everything-the handkerchief wasn't custom-made for her, she didn't plant the flowers, she knew nothing about the basement. She could deflect all the blame since proof would take time and some things might never be verified!

She stared at Florence, "Dad, I'm not mistaken. Whoever took my child will face karma! This mansion is so eerie, let's seal it off. No one touches anything inside! Dad, you might want to see for yourself, how 'thoughtfully' she has renovated it. Maybe then you'll see her in a new light."

Whitney's gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept over Florence. Without finding Sammy, she didn't linger. Taking Danny by the hand, she left the mansion.

-

Exiting the Sheldon family's grand hallway, Ludwik just caught the tail end of Parker's recount. The man's sculpted features tightened, breath quickening, his knuckles turning white. Ludwik's gaze was fixed on the Sheldon mansion. Seeing Whitney emerge with Danny but without Sammy, his eyelids drooped, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Sammy wasn't found in there?!" Parker was surprised. With the car window down, Whitney caught Ludwik's eye. His face was pale and weak. She looked away.

Parker leaned out, "What's going on?" Whitney just shook her head slightly at Parker. Her brows furrowed with fatigue and cold resolve, and she got into her car with Danny. Minutes after Whitney drove off, Ludwik turned his car around, trailing behind Whitney's.

-

Upstairs in the Sheldon Mansion, Holly peeked out of the window, then rushed to Florence's vanity, exclaiming, "Florence! Myra said Ludwik was at the Sheldon family's gate. He never came in. I just saw Whitney leave with that brat. She didn't talk to him, but his car lingered before following Whitney. Parker was with him; he's probably going to spill everything to Ludwik!"

"You better figure something out, don't let Ludwik suspect you're behind Sammy's disappearance!"

all this trouble. I barely convinced dad about that clutter room. Today's mess... we can't hide it

Ludwik thinks,

her mind working overtime. Holly smirked, "If playing the victim won't win

sat in a wheelchair, staring blankly at her. Approaching, she leaned into him, her eyes cold, "Florence

stroked her hair,

-

her thoughts. Why would Florence kidnap Sammy? Was it during their time in Banyan City, under Elaine's watch? What was her motive so early on? Then it clicked for Whitney.

settled a tired and sad Danny before her doorbell rang. Opening the door, she

by Ludwik, and the kidnapper has been

the frail man inside, Parker left. Ludwik struggled to stand. Whitney, despite her reluctance,

it

gave her a deep look, "You can use the evidence against the Walker family to pressure Holly, negotiate with your father, and get into

by his suggestion. She thought he'd side with Florence, given how Holly had wronged her, and he even remembered the competition that prevented her

to accuse Florence of kidnapping Sammy, but would he believe her? The air was thick with tension and the unmistakable tang

was icy, "You need to get to

mentioned you haven't been digging into the car accident. He suspects you might know who tampered with your car. Tell me, who was it?" The scent of blood was becoming overpowering. Finally, Whitney turned, retrieving a first aid kit from the other room. Seeing her actions, a hint of softness flickered across Ludwik's face. He gritted his teeth and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a

she approached him, feeling the heat radiating from his

should be

treat me?" His lips curved in a pained smirk, his gaze fixed on her, a blend of tenderness and detachment. "After all, you did save me, only to get hurt in the