Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 512

Dr. Ryan had an air of realization. "Just a child of three, no matter how clever, soon he'll be under my control."

As Florence, supported by Myra, slowly sat up, her pale lips curved into a faint smile. "I have no doubts about your hypnotism skills. When the time comes, perform a brain surgery on him, dumb him down, and turn him into my little toy!" Dr. Ryan didn't respond.

Truth be told, besides being exceptionally bright, Sammy was also incredibly endearing. In the initial days of confinement under Dr. Ryan's care, the boy nearly starved, yet he showed remarkable intuition and even displayed a knack for medicine that belied his young age. Dr. Ryan had a soft spot for the intelligent, especially those who were sharp from a young age. And the kid had a way with words that charmed him. Lately, he found it harder and harder to lay a hand on him.

"Dr. Ryan, do you have any objections to my decision?" Florence noticed his brief silence and glanced at him with her doe eyes.

"None, none at all!"

Dr. Ryan quickly denied, looking away. "Everything as Ms. Sheldon wishes. I won't let the kid have an easy time. Turning him into a fool is just a matter of surgery!"

Internally, Dr. Ryan felt it was a pity.

Florence suppressed her smile, twirling a handkerchief between her fingertips, and instructed him further, "This vial of spinal fluid must be kept a secret for me. Until I decide to donate it to Natalie, no one must know of its existence!"

Dr. Ryan replied, "Understood."

Myra frowned slightly. "Ms. Sheldon, Dr. Ryan was seen at the Sheldon Mansion today. You mentioned Ludwik might have people tailing you. Could he discover Dr. Ryan?"

Florence squinted her eyes, already having a plan in mind, and chuckled. "Dr. Ryan has been affiliated with the Emperor City Hospital for years, and he used to be my go-to doctor not so long ago. Ludwik has only been in Emperor City for a short while. Even if he had ways to uncover everything, he couldn't possibly know that Dr. Ryan is now working in my lab."

Myra thought about it and agreed.

Florence reminded Dr. Ryan again, "Keep up the facade of being a hospital doctor. If anyone investigates you in the coming days, just keep your cool. And don't visit the kid these next few days."

Dr. Ryan nodded.

how long before I recover? Prescribe me some supplements, and something to

in such a rush to extract her spinal fluid. He quickly wrote down a prescription and

the anesthesia, when her phone rang. Glancing at the

to your blessing, I've successfully returned to

Bartels family still remembers your favor. If there's anything

eyes, sensing this woman could

---

Whitney's

father incapacitated, Uncle Hugh has temporarily taken over the company's affairs. I think our grandparents made a reasonable decision. But the unexpected twist happened at this

Hugh, through the shareholder meeting, proposed that Florence join the Sheldon Group. With her 12% share of the company, he announced her as the successor. And with Hugh and several key shareholders

calm demeanor vanished, her breathing became

was indignant. "Do you know what this means? From today, Florence becomes the heir to the Sheldon Group, the future CEO! I can't figure it out. Even though Uncle Hugh has always been kind to Florence, why would

brows furrowed, her stomach churning with more intensity. Sandy's question echoed her

more than once that Hugh was exceptionally good to Florence, ever

the nieces, Uncle Hugh always favored Florence, right from

stake, didn't he want a piece? Now was the perfect opportunity to push Holly and her daughter out! Yet, he

A family?

by the speculation. But apart from this possibility, there was no reason for Hugh to hold Florence so close to his heart. Additionally, she had witnessed an odd tension

pale. If this was true, how many years had Holly been plotting? Deceiving her father, allowing Hudson to live

heart of the Sheldon Group, powerless to protect her father now lying comatose in a hospital bed. Her cousins, Jared and Emma, remained blissfully unaware of

mix of fear and loathing. Betrayed and sidelined, she was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness that brought tears to her

don't let this anger eat you up," Sandy said, noticing Whitney clutch her stomach in pain, her body curling from the distress. "It's not anger. It's sorrow for my dad,"