Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1034

Whitney's eyes dimmed with exhaustion, too weary to feel anger anymore. There were things she hadn't known, and it seemed the answers might lie with two little rascals...

She put her phone away, leaning heavily on the kitchen counter, replaying her conversation with Ludwik in her mind, searching for clues among the tangled words. The question that haunted her was about her mother, a topic dredged up from the depths of her heart where

it had been buried for years.

Whitney had come to terms with her mother's supposed death long ago...

But what if there was more to the story?

Unfortunately, the car accident from years ago had become a cold case, covered up by the Valentine family, leaving no records to be found at the Banyan City police station, let alone reopening the investigation.

Her mother...

If she hadn't died...

Whitney clutched at her chest, a tightness gripping her heart at the thought. The world was vast; if her mother was alive somewhere, why hadn't she come forward? Impossible, she thought, as the fleeting hope in her eyes faded back to resignation.

-

At the hospital.

hooked up to a monitor, Parker's eyes turned red as he rushed over, "Uncle." Mrs. Wilson, with her children by her side, was also

way. The patient can't stay in a contaminated environment; we

pale. "Doctor, didn't you tell us half an

a coma, and we can't predict when he'll wake up. We also can't assure you he'll regain consciousness immediately after the anesthesia wears off. The bullet

the situation. Surgery had saved his uncle's life, but

Parker couldn't help but blame himself for

gripping Parker's arm, scolded, "Parker, don't scare Mrs. Wilson with possibilities the

to Parker, "Mr. Doonan, Mr. Wilson has brain activity. Think of the gunshot wound as a severe trauma that didn't damage the entire skull. Deep down, he's conscious. It's just that his injuries are too severe for him to wake up now. Do

course not!" Ludwik shot him a look, "Mr. Wilson will wake up eventually; it's just a matter of time. For

ensuring Phineas was settled in the ICU with a respirator and brain monitor, the medical team left, sealing the

with urgency, "Doctor, first off, thank you for everything. But we must keep the news of Mr. Wilson's successful surgery within these walls. My uncle's survival must not leak out. Do

interjected, "you could even

Ludwik's imposing presence to Parker, her eyes cold yet gentle, "Mr. Doonan, Phineas isn't dead. Why declare

Ludwik's intentions. "Aunt, the situation at Inko Group is dire. The person who shot Uncle is still out there, watching. Our plan is to ensure Uncle can recover in peace. If the shooter knows Uncle is alive, they might strike again. And with Inko Group leaderless, there's no telling what the shareholders might do. It's a strategy that serves multiple

he's vegetative is too much. Declaring him dead would cause enormous confusion. How would we explain when he wakes up? How do we face

nodding in understanding. While declaring Phineas dead would make waves, he hadn't considered

sooner. And, there's another matter. With Mr. Wilson incapacitated, you have a say in Inko Group's future,"

Wilson gently held back her son, shaking her head softly, "The matters of Inko Group, being a woman, even if I'm on the board, those shareholders might not listen to me. They might even have their reservations about

the company a few times, and the board is aware