Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 522

She glanced at Hugh's paralyzed leg, a flicker of disgust briefly crossing her eyes.

Holly snuggled closer to him, her voice soft with worry. "But if we suddenly tell Florence the truth, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it. You know how much she's looked up to Hudson since she was little, how close they've been. And if word gets out that Florence isn't Hudson's biological child, she'll be seen as an outcast by the shareholders of Sheldon Enterprises! All the plans we've been working on for years could be ruined. We can't let a small mistake ruin everything." Hugh's gentle eyes hardened as he looked at her, a bittersweet smile on his face. "Holly, are you still disgusted by my disability?"

"I..."

"You know, when you were infatuated with my brother, you didn't hesitate to use me to get pregnant. I loved you, so I helped you. All these years, you asked me to remain faithful to you, and I've done just that, never marrying or dating anyone else, waiting for you through so many lonely nights. And now you're saying Florence can't accept me as her father? Or is it you who can't accept me as a man?"

Hugh's voice grew passionate.

Holly's facade crumbled under his words, tears welling up in her eyes. "Hugh, how could you think so low of me! You're so much better than Hudson ever was. It was my mistake to be blinded by him at first. But haven't I fallen for you quickly after that? Don't doubt my feelings."

She and Florence depended on Hugh now, especially since he was about to take control of Sheldon Enterprises. Entrusting the massive company to Florence was still years away, and Holly couldn't afford to alienate Hugh now.

His gaze softened as she spoke, though the sharpness never left his eyes. He looked troubled. "Even if I don't acknowledge Florence, I think someone already suspects our relationship."

Holly blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"That day at the hospital, Whitney's gaze on me and Florence felt too sharp."

Hugh's eyes narrowed. "She's likely to suspect you first because of your past conflicts. But she might also see that I'm siding with you. Once she starts guessing about our relationship, how far off can she be from suspecting Florence's true parentage? We need to make sure Florence is wary of Whitney. If Whitney gets a hair sample from her and compares it with mine, we're all done for."

at

damn Whitney, always

I won't let this get out. We just need to let Florence know she needs to stand

betraying a hint of reluctance. Hugh sneered internally, knowing her heart still wavered. He needed to secure their loyalty, to bring his daughter back under his wing after giving her

"Right..." Holly replied half-heartedly.

almost bumped into Florence, who looked up at her mother and then at Hugh

"Florence... what

Mom, I don't understand. Who is my

enveloped in

embarrassment. "Florence, listen

and

Holly followed her silently into her bedroom and closed the door behind

"Florence, please, calm down."

I, when you've never told me this? How can I not be my dad's daughter? Does that mean Whitney is Hudson's

voice was cold

"I refuse to

He's always been pitied in the Sheldon family, never respected. My

reddened with anger. "Silence! You have no idea the

marry Hudson while he scorned me, devoted only to Whitney's mother! I had no choice but to turn to Hugh. You were conceived to ensure our place in the Sheldon family. Everything I've done was for you to inherit

ever finds out you're not his own flesh and

was in turmoil, her fingers clenched tightly. "The shooting of my father... was it really