Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 498

Her words tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me deeply distressed.

Ludwik's lips twisted into a slight, chilly smirk. "So, the soft approach isn't working, huh? Time to play it hard?

Can someone terminally ill even think about having kids, let alone have the capacity to do so?

Imagine, two years from now, you're still alive, and voila, you've got yourself a great-grandchild for the Lippert family."

Whitney had mentioned that perhaps Florence was feigning her illness.

And here I was, pitying her because she claimed to be terminal, a gesture of humanity on my part!

But what if her terminal illness was a lie?

The ambition she's showing now is far from what one would expect from someone on their deathbed. Perhaps, as Whitney suggested, this was all a scheme, and Florence's ultimate goal was me all along.

Florence, her eyes brimming with tears, met Ludwik's stern gaze. "It's true, my condition isn't ideal for pregnancy. But I'm willing to take the risk for you, as my last wish before I die. How could you think there's an ulterior motive? I just wanted to leave a child behind to make my parents, and my grandma happy..."

Ludwik gazed at her, his eyes sharp as daggers. "Whitney and I have two children, enough to keep your parents and grandma happy. Besides Danny, there's Sammy. He was kidnapped. Florence, who do you think took my child?"

His accusation was like a noose around Florence's neck!

She trembled inwardly, knowing this question was inevitable.

But she was confident, like a player who had already mastered the game. They wouldn't find anything, except for that handkerchief. And 'the person' was safely in her grip, of course referring to him and Whitney.

Florence looked bewildered, tears in her eyes. "Ludwik, how could I possibly know who kidnapped him? I wasn't even aware that you and your sister had children until today. That scene at the Sheldon family's place caught me off guard as well. Thankfully, my parents know I'm innocent."

She denied any involvement with a face that didn't show a trace of guilt.

Ludwik's fingertips were cold as he pondered.

to understand this woman

Natalie to undergo surgery. If you refuse... well, I'm sorry,

words were laden

vulnerability, knowing full well he had no room to negotiate unless he was willing to risk Natalie's life. Ludwik, however,

smoke swirling around his more ferocious eyes as he smirked at her audacity. Deep down, he was plotting,

parting, he simply said,

a surge of joy. "Ludwik, you really agree? To engage with me, to have a

securing her place as Ludwik's spouse and becoming the first lady of Harmonia Country made Florence's heart flutter. Ludwik looked at her coldly. "I only

hadn't faded when Ludwik's expression turned to disgust.

another moment

Myra watched Florence silently.

gaze filled with a feigned smile. "Ludwik,

there a

remember is

left with

thoughts but still shocked. "Mr. Lippert, how could you agree to Florence's blatant extortion? You're actually going to have a child with her?" Ludwik sat by the window, the cold moonlight casting shadows on his

cigarette, scoffing, "Just agree for now. She wants a child, but who says it has to be mine? Once the

thought she could manipulate

Felix heard the doorbell

to the pain from his wound,

"Ludwik, you wanted

"Take a seat."

hotel, smiling. You've suspected her of kidnapping Sammy, yet you didn't confront her about his whereabouts, break up with her, or force her to return Sammy?" Parker

shook his head gravely. "Not

"Why?"

to doubting him, wondering if he had his reasons. Parker listened as Ludwik revealed, "My mother has leukemia. Her bone

behind his glasses, was

sure, that Natalie was

connection with

nose. "When I first