Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Florence, it seems, still cared about her.

A wan smile flickered across her face, but then a sharp pain sliced through her mind, a chaotic flurry of memories flashing by, forcing her to bow her head and rest for a few seconds.

Erik noticed, quickly fetching her medicine. "Miss. Tennyson! Is your migraine acting up again?"

"Yes."

Every year, for these two months, fragments of memories would ambush her, including the silhouette of a young, handsome man.

Was he... the man who betrayed her?

It was infuriating. He broke his promises, married another woman, brought her child home only to mistreat her, and even brutally killed her brother... Perhaps the pain was too much; hence, during these years of amnesia, she never returned to Harmonia Country. Firstly, she couldn't remember where her home was, and secondly, she was probably scared to reopen old wounds.

Parisa's eyes darkened as she now had found her daughter and learned of her own identity.

Maybe it was time to visit Harmonia Country?

The thought flashed through her mind as she lifted her head to swallow the medicine, her gaze sweeping over Erik, recalling his earlier mention of having something to report.

She put down her water glass. "ERIK, go on with what you were saying."noveldrama

"Madam Chairman. Didn't you ask me to track down that missing obstetrician from Sanctum Mary Medical? I found that he had returned to his country, making it safely back to Germinia.

He had just gotten home when I seized him!" Erik reported solemnly, his voice low.

Hearing this, Parisa dropped her pen and stood up abruptly. "Why didn't you say so earlier. Where is he now?"

Three minutes later-

Parisa headed towards an outside room, a small meeting room, and closed the door behind her.

The obstetrician was young and looked visibly pale and frightened as Erik held him captive, tied to a chair. The room was soundproof, with sealed doors and windows.

The doctor, a gentle soul, widened his eyes in terror, not daring to struggle.

His frightened gaze met the newcomer, a cold and dignified corporate woman in a somber black business dress, in her forties, whose beauty was not merely physical but also reflected a timeless grace.

"Who... who are you?" he exclaimed. "Did you have him tie me up? I'm going to call the police, God, I need to call the police!"

"Shut your mouth."

Parisa remained calm, her soft voice coupled with her striking features adding an air of tranquility and intimidation.

The doctor was taken aback, not expecting to face such a serene middle-aged woman after being captured by what seemed like a thug.

Perhaps he realized that this woman wouldn't kill him.

Licking his lips, the doctor asked, "Can you tell me why you've kidnapped me?"

He was truly scared!

Ever since that young man from Harmonia Country burst into the hospital, forcing him to deliver a baby, his ordinary professional life had turned into a terrifying cliffhanger.

Barely making it home safely, he was kidnapped again!

"You needn't panic." Parisa stood in front of the desk, her posture as straight and commanding as a cold pine, exuding a powerful aura.

She introduced herself, "I'm the largest donor to your Sanctum Mary Medical each year. My reason for bringing you here isn't to kill you but to inquire about the birth you attended four nights ago.

However, if you refuse to speak or lie, I wouldn't mind having my bodyguard break your most crucial wrist, ending your career as a doctor!

Understand?"

Her words were slow, making the doctor clench his fists in terror, looking up to ask, "Are you related to that pregnant woman?"

"You need not ask questions that aren't your concern. Start from the moment a man barged into the hospital. I want a truthful reconstruction! Refuse, and you'll be detained here. Thinking of calling the police? Forget it."

Parisa's glare was icy.

The doctor swallowed hard, unsure if the formidable woman before him was indeed the family of the pregnant woman.

But with his life under serious threat, he had no choice but to reveal what he knew.

After all, she only seemed to want information.

He recounted the harrowing experience, "That night, I was on duty for that pregnant woman. Suddenly, a man seized me and brought me to the delivery room.

At a glance, the woman's water had broken, and her child was in critical condition.

The man and the woman were arguing in a language I didn't understand, presumably from Harmonia Country.

Then, the man threatened me with a knife, forcing me to perform a cesarean without anesthesia.

I initially thought the man was a villain, maybe even planning to harm the newborn.

But to my surprise, that handsome man seemed genuinely concerned for the baby. The baby had a severe lung infection and was barely alive. The man locked me in the neonatology department, insisting I save the child alone.

After two days without improvement, a group of people barged in, seemingly trying to kidnap the baby... It was chaotic, and I couldn't understand the situation until the man returned, insisting I accompany the child on a plane, fearing it wouldn't survive the trip.

Thankfully, he eventually let me go..."

The doctor was still visibly shaken by the ordeal.

He mused, "That man looked distinguished and was incredibly handsome! At first glance, he didn't seem like a ruffian, yet what he did was a blatant disregard for Germinia's laws!

Ah, it's hard to understand what kind of person he is, treating the pregnant woman so harshly yet insisting on saving the child. I wonder what sort of vendetta he had against her, seeing such hatred in his eyes, as if he wanted to kill the pregnant woman."

Listening intently to his personal account, Parisa's expression visibly changed-Erik too looked puzzled.

Erik turned to the doctor, "Are you sure you're not lying? This man really wanted to save the child, not to harm or torture it?"

"Torture? No, he kept me locked up, insisting I save the infant," the doctor affirmed, pushing up his glasses.

Erik looked back at Parisa.

Parisa's cool, dark eyes gradually became icy.

How had Florence cried to her? She said Ludwik was heartless, committing arson and chasing her all the way to Germinia for Whitney, eager to kill her poor unborn child.

Yet, the doctor claimed he saw Ludwik trying to save the child.

Why such a stark discrepancy?

Doctors are sworn to honesty; they've got no reason to weave tales of deceit.

So, the liar in this twisted tale must be...

Parisa's expression chilled as confusion swirled within her. Why on earth was Florence so bent on painting Ludwik in such dark hues?

And Ludwik, what manner of man was he? Could a villain, deemed beyond redemption, find it within himself to save an infant he had no bonds with?

If he indeed fought tooth and nail to save a child, why then would he turn around and strike Florence with such ferocity?

A cloud of suspicion hung heavily over Parisa's thoughts.