Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1139

Parker leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Ludwik wants Bryce to tip his hand. The moment Bryce thinks he's in the clear, his greed will get the better of him, and he'll start cashing in those contracts in broad daylight."

"That's when you point him out to the President," Parker continued, his eyes glinting with the promise of retribution. "By then, Bryce will be caught red-handed. And even if Ms. Tennyson's gone, Ludwik will see to it that her assets are recovered. Bryce and Florence won't get a penny."

Phineas paused, his expression dark with anger and sorrow. "How could Bryce dare to harm Ms. Tennyson? How did you let him get away with it?"

"When Ms. Tennyson returned, she discovered Florence wasn't her biological daughter. Bryce acted too swiftly, and Ludwik couldn't stop him in time..."

On the TV screens lining the wall, a news report blared about the Lippert Group being investigated by the authorities. The Lippert family's stocks were plummeting, and a throng of disgruntled partners and journalists surrounded Jason outside the company headquarters.

Phineas frowned. "You mentioned Ludwik was apprehended by the President, and now the Lippert family is under scrutiny. And you still won't let me meet the President, all for the sake of catching Bryce?"

"The evidence of Bryce and Florence's involvement in Parisa's death hasn't surfaced yet. Now that the Lippert family is in trouble because of Bryce, he'll be feeling smug. His next move might be to have Florence, as the supposed heir, seize control of Inko Group. After all, Parisa owned a significant share."

"When they start diverting Parisa's funds and bribing officials, that'll be the time for you to act. But even then, you'll only be able to prove Bryce's attempt on your life."

Parker's phone buzzed with a call from Shane, interrupting his grim monologue. He glanced at the screen, furrowing his brow before answering. "Mr. Nelson, the news is everywhere about the Lippert family investigation. How's Jason holding up?"

"Forget about that for now, Mr. Doonan. Whitney's found her mother! Or rather, Jared Sheldon found Parisa first. They've secretly brought her to my hospital."

"Rescue teams are still searching the canyon to avoid arousing Bryce's suspicions. You need to head to the police station and inform Ludwik."

"Are you serious? Ms. Tennyson's alive?" Parker was incredulous, marveling at Ludwik's uncanny intuition. It was indeed Hudson who located Parisa.

"Whether she's alive or not is uncertain. Whitney was pretty distraught."

Shane wasn't ready to celebrate prematurely. As his car pulled into the Nelson Hospital parking lot, he sprinted towards the emergency room.

and frantic, assisting doctors as they wheeled her parents

Valentine!" Shane

towards Shane, panic in her eyes. "Mr. Nelson, can you get the best doctors for

off a cliff and poison-this was beyond the help of even

concerns to himself, nodding reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll bring in the nation's top experts. Did the ambulance manage to revive her on the

defibrillator didn't work, her heart didn't start beating again." Whitney's eyes brimmed with tears, suspecting

earlier, mentioning Florence had been to her lab. The poison could have

Your grandma's been poisoned, and Ryan might know of an antidote

sweetheart," instantly understood the gravity of his

his grandmother, but his

to his feet, leaving Danny's side. "Mom, I'm going to find Ryan

with you,"

stared at the closed doors of the operating room, knowing both her parents were in there, teetering on the

But her mother, whom she'd never met, lay with eyes closed, never having seen

Whitney's heart ached.

lose hope. The doctors will test Ms. Tennyson's blood for the poison,

Florence's tricks too well. Her poisons are lethal within 24

doctors are still fighting for her, and if they haven't

her tears, wishing the doctors would

guards and the police still at the

officers to keep it under wraps and

lurking around," Shane said, squinting

search team

with a chill

ace in the hole, but we need Bryce to think he's got nothing to