Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1179

"Elaine's been missing for ages, and then just shows up in Banyan City? What's going on with that?" There was a cold, dangerous glint in Ludwik's eyes.

Parker snorted, his tone dry. "That's a long story, man."

...

Inside Parisa's hospital room.

Whitney had finally calmed down. She picked up a thermos cup, stuck in a straw, and helped her mom sip some warm broth. "Here, Mom. Can you lift your wrist for me?"

Parisa's gaze softened, her eyes shining with a rare hint of joy. In public, she was always so composed, strict, never letting herself show even a crack. But in front of her daughter, she let her guard down, her armor slipping away.

She caught on to Whitney's gentle touch, her eyes brightening. "You...know how to check a pulse?"

Whitney grinned, meeting her mother's gaze. "Of course, Mom. Don't you remember?"

memory Whitney was talking about -truth was, she'd

warm with nostalgia. "You taught me everything I know about medicine, remember? When I was little, I just wanted to go play outside, not learn about herbs and remedies. You'd

was one of the top pharmaceutical guys back in New York. No wonder you were always so good at this stuff. It's just... after a while, when Preston Valentine and Yvonne kept upping your medication, it must've

then, you and Grandpa went on a business trip-and there was

voice trailing off,

any of it, and yet, as Whitney spoke,

like the memories were floating just out of reach, but the feelings lingered. That terror, the panic during the crash and the blast, was etched deep inside

her

it came to

memories. She knew it had to

who, just recently, had saved her

back to the present, managing a small smile for her daughter. "You know, I think

some medical skills. Once, I was sick and Somehow managed to check my own

I even asked her if she knew anything about medicine. She