Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Whitney felt a flutter of unease, a familiar sensation whenever Ludwik spoke. It wasn't like him to make idle conversation. Every word, every question had a purpose behind it.

"Spit it out already!" Whitney pressed, her patience thinning.

"First, tell me, who else has been asking about your mother?" Ludwik's voice finally broke the silence.

"My uncle," Whitney replied, her lips pursed, a frown creasing her brow. "You both are so bizarre. My uncle mentioned he dreamt of grandad recently, but mom wasn't anywhere in his dreams. It unsettled him, made him speculate whether mom really perished in that car explosion...

And you, asking about my mom, questioning if she truly died. What, do you suspect she's alive? Why would you even think that?"

Ludwik took his time before responding, his gaze deepening: Had Keegan also inquired about Whitney's mom? Was it a premonition, or just a dream?

They say the departed visit you in dreams.

Had Whitney's grandfather appeared to Keegan in a dream?

"So, your uncle wasn't sure if your mom died in that car, was he?"

"He was sure. He just rushed to the scene too hastily, the explosion was so swift, his focus was entirely on grandad. He mentioned seeing shrapnel from a mask embedded in grandad's heart, so his memory of mom is a bit hazy. But he saw her clothes in the car, believed there was no miracle to be had."

Speaking of her talk with Keegan tonight, Whitney's mood dipped.

No one wished more than her for her mom to have miraculously survived that doomed explosion.

But... was it even possible?

Countless car accident reports told her otherwise. Impossible.

"So, your mother is dead?" Ludwik's voice was low, his brows furrowed, "Did the Valentine family ever retrieve any ashes from the wreckage for DNA testing, to confirm if it was indeed your grandfather and mother?"

Whitney shook her head at her phone, forgetting Ludwik couldn't see her, her face a mask of sorrow and regret. "I was sent overseas to study by Preston's scheming, wasn't home for those two years.

When I finally returned, the Valentines concealed the truth about my mother and grandfather's deaths, obliterating all evidence, even their personal belongings vanished.

I was too young to challenge the Valentines.

It was only when I grew up that I discovered their graves were empty, the urns probably filled with nothing but dirt. The Valentines are heartless." Meaning, the forensic analysis never confirmed if the ashes belonged to two bodies from that infamous car explosion.

Was there a one in a million chance Whitney's mother wasn't there?

That she didn't die and had fled abroad... to Germinia?

And now, Florence, having undergone surgery to look like Whitney, was receiving help.

This hypothesis was far-fetched, with slim chances, but it explained why Florence had surgery.

Ludwik's gaze grew colder, calculating, as if shooting icy spears.

After a long silence, he realized Whitney had been too heartbroken to speak, immediately regretting his words, "I'm sorry, Whitney, I didn't mean to bring up painful memories.

I'm just curious about your mother's life."

"So why do you think she's alive? Why suddenly bring up my mom, what have you been up to lately?" Whitney pressed, barely holding back her emotions.

Ludwik, ever secretive, wouldn't share his thoughts if they were bound to cause unnecessary worry.

He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, "It's related to Chairman Phineas's sudden attack. It's Bryce's move for a comeback, so I need to investigate his motives."

Whitney, quick-witted, "His motives... do they involve me? Is that why you're probing into my family history tonight?"

Ludwik was momentarily stunned by her acumen.

After a pause, he reluctantly admitted, "Yes, it's just a theory for now.noveldrama

Whitney, please understand, I'm working on something. I plan to take down Bryce for good. Don't worry about it, I'll fill you in soon."

"So, Chairman Phineas's attack was Bryce's doing?"

"Did you suspect as much?"

Whitney frowned, nodding, "Parker returned to Emperor City suddenly, that's when I learned about his uncle's murder. At this critical time, only the Lutz Group and the Patrick Group had major conflicts with Inko Group after being dropped by Phineas."

"Smart, with a keen mind," Ludwik praised lightly, "It was Bryce. So, I'll make sure he pays. But he's leaning on some powerful backers that haven't shown their faces yet..."

"Those weird questions you asked, does Bryce's support have something to do with me?"

Whitney's leap in logic was startling.

Seeing her reaction, Ludwik's eyes darkened, and he quickly changed the subject, "It's nothing. I told you not to worry unnecessarily."

"Then stop being so secretive. If you ask me things without explaining why, how can I not speculate?"

"I've told you," Ludwik softened, his voice deep and reassuring, "Whitney, you just need to stand behind me.

The chaos in Emperor City, this is a battlefield for men like me and Parker. You just need to look after our children and manage the Sheldon Group.

Leave everything else to me. It's a promise from me to you, as your man."

Out of nowhere, he turned the conversation sentimental.

Whitney bit her lip, her heart skipping a beat, knowing full well his nature - resolute, dominant, and fiercely protective.

Whitney ran her fingers through her long, soft hair, feeling the cool strands against her palm.

With a mix of frustration and sincerity, Whitney said, "Look, I don't want to meddle in your affairs, but if it involves me, you've got to keep me in the loop. I refuse to be the last to know, shielded away like some naive fool.

I don't need...

Bryce is my enemy too. After everything he's done to me, to our kids, I want my pound of flesh.

And Florence, what on earth were you doing in Eurovoria trying to get back from her?

Ludwik, can I get a straight answer from you for once?"

The man looked down, silent.

Truth was a luxury he couldn't afford to give her yet.

Ludwik sighed heavily, "You'll understand in time..."

"Ludwik!" Across the hospital corridor, Parker suddenly called out to him.

Ludwik glanced sideways, his brows furrowed as he quickly moved the phone away from his ear, speaking hastily, "Phineas is out of surgery, got a bit

of a situation here, can't talk now. Make sure you and the boys hit the hay early, alright? Be good."

And with that, he hung up the phone, swiftly ending the call!

Whitney caught only half the conversation, cryptic and abruptly cut off, followed by a dial tone.

He clearly used the interruption as an escape.

What exactly was going on between him and Florence that was so secretive?