Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Was it all about her secret whereabouts today?

The two little rascals, dodging and weaving in front of her, talking about her skills in holistic medicine. It surely wasn't about helping Phineas, or why not just come out with it?

So, who needed saving?

Whitney furrowed her brows, deciding to keep her cool. She glanced at the two bodyguards beside the car, squinted her eyes, and smiled playfully, "Alright, my little munchkins, I'm not about to lock you up, but you've got to be careful, especially these days. Try not to go out if it's not necessary."

"Oh! Okay, mommy, we'll do just that."

Sammy immediately played the good kid, afraid of arousing more suspicion from mommy. He took her hand.

Danny let out a silent sigh of relief. "Mommy, can we go home now? I'm starving. I want your famous sweet soup, with grilled cheese sandwiches, and blueberry pudding!"

Whitney glanced at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Have you guys not eaten all day while you were out?"

Danny shot Sammy a look.

They had been guarding their little sister, too focused to even think about food.

Sammy looked up at mommy. "Daddy and Mr. Doonan were swamped, they hardly had time for us."

"So, you had to tag along everywhere?" Whitney's gaze deepened, a hint of reproach in her voice. Sammy hung his head, silent.

It was their lack of vigilance that had mommy overhearing them from behind the flower beds.

He was anxious, hoping mommy would buy their 'explanation.'

If only their sister could get stronger soon, daddy would eventually explain everything to mommy.

Things at home would get better. Mommy might be upset, but seeing a lively and fresh little baby, she'd eventually come to accept her.

The fear was, what if their sister couldn't make it...

Their brief joy would turn to mommy's immense suffering.

He pursed his lips, holding mommy's hand tightly, planning their story for daddy to avoid mommy's clever probing.

Whitney, back in the living room, had washed the kids' hands and faces, and asked the maid to prepare some fruit. She then donned a white apron and headed to the kitchen.

Turning back to see the children laughing on the couch, she squinted and made a quick trip back to the bedroom. Then, sneaking out the dining room's side door, she called over the two bodyguards planning to take a break.

"Did you two accompany the young masters out today?"

"Uh... yes, Ms. Valentine!" The bodyguards stood at attention.

Whitney approached them, her eyes calm and gentle in the night, making her seem approachable.

She didn't ask much, knowing Sammy's character, the little guy probably had them sync their stories in the car.

She simply smiled, stepping closer. "Next time Ludwik asks you to chauffeur the kids, please let me know. I am their mother, after all, and I worry.

Besides "

She bent down, pretending to inspect the car window, tapping it. "This doesn't look like bulletproof glass, does it?"

The bodyguard, noticing her hand probing inside, quickly reassured, "Please be assured, Mr. Lippert's car is equipped with bulletproof glass. Mr. Lippert is always vigilant, especially concerning the young masters."

"Oh, if it's bulletproof glass, then that's fine." Whitney withdrew her hand and stood up, saying no more, and walked away.

The baffled bodyguards exchanged glances, locked the car, and left.

Back in the kitchen, Whitney checked her other phone, which she had secretly slipped into the car's seat crevice earlier.

She opened the tracking app on her phone, which would show the location of the hidden device.

Narrowing her eyes, she resumed cooking.

Just as she was mixing the batter for pancakes, her phone vibrated softly.

Drying her hands and pushing a stray hair behind her ear, she saw it was Ludwik and, feeling a bit irritated, answered curtly, "What's up?" Ludwik had just returned to the neurology hospital, not yet seeing Phineas out of surgery.

Taking a moment, he called Whitney, detecting her frosty tone.

Leaning against a cold wall, his thoughts cooled, he relaxed slightly, chuckling softly, "What's wrong? Who upset you this time? A son?"

"A grandson," Whitney shot back, her tone icy.

Ludwik paused, his features hardening as he realized she was mocking him.

His voice deepened, "You're becoming quite the sharp-tongued little devil, testing my limits."

Whitney rolled her eyes, dismissively, "You take the kids out, stirring up who knows what, and they come home late at night under your watch. Don't push me."

Ludwik frowned, "They came home late?"

"What else? When did you part ways with them? And where are you now?"

Sensing her probing, Ludwik kept cool, "Nothing. I'm with Parker."

"For Phineas, the Chairman's ordeal?"

"Yes."

"Sammy and Danny spent the whole day at Phineas's hospital?" Whitney leaned against the counter, querying.

Had Sammy told Whitney that?

Understanding his son's hint, Ludwik admitted, "Yes. They were bored at home, and Danny insisted on seeing Parker."

"Really? Since when are you so accommodating?" A conspiracy between father and sons!

Whitney lost interest in prying further, her smile wry, "Danny even suggested I use my healing skills on Phineas. Funny, considering Phineas and I barely know each other.

The boys suddenly caring about him, isn't that strange?"

Her sarcasm was clear.

Ludwik, piecing things together, realized Sammy might have mentioned Whitney's healing skills in relation to saving their little treasure.noveldrama

He pressed his lips tightly together, his voice slightly hoarse and unnaturally interrupted, "Yeah, mentioned something about your medical skills. The kid's just babbling, don't take it to heart.

What are you up to?"

Whitney was making a racket, "Can't you hear?"

"In the kitchen?" His voice deepened again, tinged with the scent of nicotine, probably taking a drag, his voice richer and sexily rolling with the smoke, a chuckle in his tone, "Cooking for the kids? You're a good woman."

"..." She was so done with his nonsense, who asked for his compliments anyway!

Utterly shameless, not considering others' feelings at all.

Whitney bit her pink lip, frustrated by the pointless conversation, her cheeks flushing as she said, "I'm busy, Ludwik. Please, don't bother me if it's nothing important. I'm hanging up now."

"Wait! Whitney, I did have something to ask you!" Ludwik had called precisely to inquire about her family background.