Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 677

Jarvis kicked back a chair and slumped into it, his gaze sharp as he locked eyes with Florence. "Spill it."

With a careful glance at the door to ensure they were alone, Florence closed it tightly before approaching Jarvis. Her hand slowly caressed her belly as she began to reveal her secret, "Nolan, everyone thinks that Ludwik and I had a drunken one-night stand, and I got pregnant with his child. Yes, this child is indeed of Ludwik's flesh and blood... But it's not of mine."

Jarvis's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, failing to grasp her meaning instantly. But when he did, his usually cool demeanor shifted to one of astonishment, "What the hell are you talking about? Make it clear! His seed but not yours? How is that even possible?" "It's Whitney's child," Florence said, her voice soft yet chillingly cold as she saw Jarvis's interest pique.

Jarvis took a deep breath and stood up, a laugh escaping him. "Really now?"

He laughed heartily, "This is damn intriguing."

"Florence, you're impressive. How did you manage this?"

With a hand over her flat belly, hiding the dread she felt from his intense stare, Florence shared her dark tale. "Nolan, you might not know, but I've always been fascinated with the bizarre and the taboo. I have a lab with some experts in forbidden surgeries. The embryo was transferred from Whitney's womb to mine."

"Damn."

Jarvis lit a cigarette, his opinion of Florence's malevolence reaching new heights. "What a venomous woman, stealing someone's child, and even an embryo transfer at that. Whitney and Ludwik really met their match."

He gave a cold chuckle, "This is an unbelievable tale, but who's to say you're not making this up? Embryo transfer? Even if I'm no medical expert, I know there's no such thing in the world."

man; just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't

how do you prove this child is Whitney's?" Jarvis

I prove it to you, Jarvis, would you consider marrying me?" "Marry you? For what, telling me this secret? I could turn around and spill everything to Ludwik. By then, you, Ms. Sheldon, might find yourself

an eyebrow, "Ludwik is too busy to bother with me right now. Besides, if I dared to reveal my hand to Nolan, I'm not afraid of you telling Ludwich or Whitney. Because you won't. You loathe Ludwik too much to do him any favors. And telling Whitney is as good as telling Ludwik." Jarvis, expressionless, stood up, "I have no interest in raising

become a weapon for you in the future!" Florence said,

of the child's potential usefulness. It could serve as a bargaining chip in seeking Jarvis's

me, and a few months later, I give birth to this child, wouldn't you have Ludwik by the throat? This is his and Whitney's flesh and blood. He loves Whitney so much, once he learns the truth, this child could be your best weapon. Eventually, it'll prove most useful. Keeping it means being prepared. The condition, though, is marrying me, offering me status, and aligning with

laid out her proposition

leverage for him. If Ludwik hadn't been so in love with Whitney to the point of abandoning everything for her, causing the downfall of the Lippert family, Jarvis pondered. "You're a despicable creature, full of schemes. How did the Sheldon family ever produce someone as dark as you? No wonder, you're just like your manipulative father. Not at all like Whitney, a true lady,"

how repulsed she was by him, she had to endure. Only through this could she regain her stature and seek revenge on Whitney. "Nolan, what's your decision? This deal

me a paternity test

head to the hospital right

Florence clenched her fists. She had

-

room that was

They found it empty.

of hot water had

frowning; what kind

the auction house manager," the attentive cleaner informed Wade. Wade signaled, and