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.

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

I haven't visited you

stern. "Aren't you? After getting me discharged from the

"That's not true."

she smiled coyly. "I was just worried about your health, so

"How did you know?"

into Shane the day before yesterday;

the

and distinct, with veins slightly

Whitney thought he must have been as handsome

thought of her

cast a shadow over her mood, stirring emotions. After a few seconds of contemplation and staring at her father, Whitney couldn't resist touching

hands stilled, and in

profile seemed

tightened, his hands gripping the cup's edge so tightly that

pause, then she whispered, "If

Hudson said, his voice suddenly hoarse. "Not

do miss her. Every day, every moment, these years, she's always on my

love for her

them tightened by his expression, showing deep pain. Whitney was shaken, unable to speak, struck by the love and regret in

to speak, "I thought... after all these years, with a complete family, even when you brought me home,

gaze,

drawer on his desk, speaking softly, "Back then, I had responsibilities, a family, a wife; I couldn't be honest with

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

can love your mother

me was something no one else could, and the

been stronger, more resolute, perhaps I wouldn't have lost her so

grandmother's disapproval or Holly's schemes, it