Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 566

Florence stared at his unforgiving profile, nearly dropping her chopsticks. Her lips started to quiver uncontrollably. Holly also remained silent, too afraid to speak. Jason looked stunned and vehemently objected, "You can't touch her... at least wait until the baby is three months old, so we can get a paternity test!"

"A paternity test won't change my mind. I won't marry her, nor do I want the child. Dad, it's best if you don't get too attached."

Ludwik's tone was cold, chilling to the bone. He stood up, nodded at his grandmother, and left the table. The elderly woman, noticing he hadn't touched his food, couldn't help but glance at Florence. The atmosphere at dinner was tense and uncomfortable. Florence, enduring the grandmother's stern look and recalling Ludwik's harsh words, lost her appetite completely. Her face turned pale, feeling extremely awkward, even though she had Jason as her lifeline.

Jason hardly touched his meal before setting his chopsticks down, hearing the sound of a car driving away.

The old man remained calm, wiping his mouth before standing up, "Don't worry about him. Florence, you stay here with peace of mind. As long as the child in your womb is of Ludwik's blood, the Lippert family will take care of you."

Despite the dinner ending on a sour note, Holly got the reassurance she sought. She was overjoyed. Florence, on the other hand, was deep in thought, returning to her room. She felt Ludwik's coldness stemmed from his unresolved feelings for Whitney. If he still harbored hopes, she needed to find a way to make him see the light, to turn his longing for Whitney into disdain.

Her eyes narrowed in contemplation...

---

The next day.

Danny invited Whitney to visit Natalie in the hospital, saying, "Grandma will be discharged in just over a week!"

Whitney felt indifferent but smiled, "Sweetheart, please give her my congratulations."

Danny frowned, "Won't you visit? Mom, grandma really wants to see you. She says her heart flutters not seeing Whitney." Whitney didn't elaborate, simply refusing her son, "Mommy's company is swamped. Just tell grandma, she'll understand."

Not only did grandma understand, he did too! Grandma was bound to be upset. Danny sulkily got into Tiana's car, bidding her goodbye.

indeed busy. Having recently moved to Emperor City, she needed to penetrate the local market. There were

start coming in. You, the stunningly beautiful jewelry store owner, should be

arrived late. Fortunately, Bryce managed the

female customers. Whitney dropped her bag and paperwork, noticing a well-to-do lady unattended. She immediately approached, donning black gloves, "Here, madam, your hands are

"Really? My hands aren't that special. It must be the ring making them

anything less,

how to pick your customers. What's the brand of this jewelry again?" Whitney's

decent designs. Wrap it up for me! Are you

ribbing Whitney with a smile and warmth in his eyes. The lady blushed upon seeing Bryce's handsome features, "Oh, the owner! You're well-maintained! How old are you? Is this gentleman

was embarrassed

closer, whispering as she turned to package the ring, "Madam, with so many questions, which

really match, such

girlfriend is naturally breathtaking. Don't believe me? Look at

spoke, he affectionately leaned in closer, gently brushing Whitney's ear with his hand. The

She wanted to pull away but reminded herself. Indeed, they were dating! This gentle contact, she had to get used to it,

touched her jade earrings. The lady's attention was immediately captured, "Your girlfriend's earrings are nice, making her look even more radiant. What kind of jade is this? It's

with a mischievous grin, "You know, those earrings

his playful jab. Her initial restraint melted away as she lifted her gaze and smiled, "Well,

compliment, or are you taking a dig at me? You

Whitney found her ease again, diving into a conversation about the earrings with the high society ladies

one noticed the moment Bryce had embraced Whitney,

hours later,

family's heiress, was