Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1050

"Alright, off you go!" Jared said, managing to sit back down with the help of his butler.

The mansion was quiet, its classic architecture reminiscent of a bygone era, with lanterns hanging under the eaves. Each wing of the house was like its own separate cottage, much like the estates you'd find in old European tales. Whitney walked towards the west wing, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the courtyard in the center, beyond which lay the parking lot.

Memories flooded her mind uninvited.

A year ago, when Hudson had first brought her to Sheldon Mansion, that was the day Bryce had seized the opportunity to follow her, pretending they were engaged. Ludwik was there too.

The rivalry was intense. As the most eligible bachelor of Harmonia Country, Ludwik had mocked Bryce relentlessly, pushing him into the dirt.

Jealousy had flared, and Ludwik had cornered her in the bathroom, bullying her mercilessly.

Her cheeks flushed with the memory, her brows knitting together at the thought of Ludwik's irrational behavior. The man's arrogance, born of his privileged background, had granted him the power to trample over others. Perhaps it was his powerful stature and haughty personality that had driven Bryce to seek revenge, his greed growing over time.

Relying on the Patrick Group, Bryce had risen from the shadows, using her in his scheme of vengeance. Even now, Bryce remained a significant problem.

The tangled web of cause and effect between them was complex.

She hoped that Ludwik, having faced his downfall, would temper his reckless arrogance. Otherwise, dealing with someone as cunning as Bryce could lead to his downfall.

Shaking her head, Whitney snapped back to reality. Why was she even worrying about Ludwik?

A frown crept over her face as she dismissed her wandering thoughts and approached Hudson's study, knocking on the door.

"Come in," came Hudson's refined voice.

With a smile, Whitney pushed the door open. "Dad!"

"Whitney?"

Hudson looked up in surprise, pen in hand over documents. Seeing his daughter, he stood up immediately, his secretary moving to assist him.

his tall, lean figure walking over. "My dear, what brings you home

saying I haven't visited you

After getting me discharged from the hospital, you've

"That's not true."

knew he wasn't really angry, so she smiled coyly. "I was just worried about your health, so I came to

"How did you know?"

into Shane the day before yesterday; he mentioned

walked over to the sink and washed

long and

he must have

suddenly thought of her

of contemplation and staring at her father, Whitney couldn't resist touching upon his painful past. "Dad, have you ever thought

her question, Hudson's hands stilled, and in

profile seemed

his hands gripping the cup's edge so tightly that

she whispered, "If you

Hudson said, his voice suddenly hoarse. "Not mentioning her doesn't mean

Every day, every moment, these years,

my love for her has never

His eyes were reddened, the lines around them tightened

all these years, with a complete family, even when you brought me home, you never spoke

gaze, Hudson

then, I had responsibilities, a

Holly, after these twenty-some years, I'm finally

can love your

regret. The love she gave me was something no one else could, and the love I gave her indirectly led to her demise. I'm sorry to her, and I'm sorry

stronger, more resolute, perhaps

grandmother's disapproval or Holly's schemes, it was my fault first and