Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Felix looked genuinely troubled as he tried to smooth things over on behalf of Mr. Lippert. "Danny, I get why you're upset. Mr. Lippert spending time with Florence was only because your granddad had arranged for the press to be there, for the sake of The Lippert Group's reputation. He couldn't just say no... He went back to the office right after.

Mr. Lippert's tied up in a meeting right now.

He's flying out tomorrow. The chip development team is collaborating with scientists from Tech Haven on some data. Mr. Lippert has to oversee it. The latest chip from Skyfaith Group has been signed over to The Lippert Group. Its launch is crucial. It's going to impact the future of The Lippert Group and whether we can keep our position as the number one family in Harmonia Country."

"Dad's traveling at a time like this?" Danny glanced at the date, August 17th. "How long will he be gone?"

"It's up in the air. What do you want me to pass on to Mr. Lippert?"

What could Danny say? That he hoped his dad would be back for mom's wedding, or rather he wouldn't?

His young mind was a whirlwind of confusion, guessing if his dad's business trip was a way to avoid mom's wedding, worried he might not be able to control himself.

Sigh. The world of adults was beyond him, their motives even more so.

"I've got nothing," he finally said, bitterness seeping through. "Just tell him I hope he doesn't recognize Florence's little brat!"

Felix's face was a picture of despair, but before he could respond, the young master had hung up.

Felix's thoughts then drifted to Sammy, who was recovering at the Ryan residence. Sammy seemed less impulsive than the young master, but now he was a stranger to them all, with no telling when he might regain his memory and personality.

Florence didn't leave the mall until evening.

Her bodyguard was laden with baby supplies from the maternity store, bags big and small.

A few reporters trailed Florence for an interview.

Her face was flushed with a shy, happy smile, even though Ludwik had left hours ago after dealing with them. But the photos of her and Ludwik looking close and cozy made her feel content.

More outings like this, and even if Ludwik was reluctant, seeing all these soft baby things and talking more about the baby, he'd start to feel fatherly affection, she thought.

Melting the ice around a man's heart, Florence knew how to do it, especially using their child.

After all, this baby was his and Whitney's flesh and blood. Deep down, he'd feel it. He couldn't possibly be heartless enough to want the baby gone. If she could make him feel affection for the baby, she wasn't worried about not being able to marry him.

"Ouch," she winced suddenly, bending over and clutching her stomach.

"Ms. Sheldon, what's wrong?" Myra quickly came over, shielding Florence.

With the mall's elevator crowded and news about her spread, everyone recognized Florence.

Myra helped her into the elevator. Once the doors closed, Florence carefully checked her stomach. "It's starting to hurt again. Maybe I walked too much just now. But I feel like... this pain is because Ryan didn't implant it properly. Call him for me."

Myra nodded. "We should have Dr. Ryan handle your check-ups from now on, especially since he... did the implantation. This morning's hospital visit was just to appease Jason and Ludwik."

Florence narrowed her eyes, a hint of suspicion. "I trust Ryan wouldn't sabotage the implantation surgery. It's probably just the embryo not being stable."

Myra ended the call. "Ryan's at home. Let's go see him now."

At Ryan's villa.

Sammy stopped on the stairs as he heard a car pull up, and Ryan rushed out of the kitchen, abandoning his cooking and his daughter, his expression changing rapidly.

Sammy frowned, pausing his steps, hiding behind the railing.

Ryan's daughter looked up, and Sammy gestured for her to stay quiet.

"Ms. Sheldon... What an honor to have you here," Ryan's voice drifted from the doorway.

Sammy froze in place. Florence?

He had been waiting for this moment, for Florence to visit and meet with Ryan.

Hiding his excitement, he pressed his lips together.

Supported by Myra, Florence walked in and got straight to the point with Ryan, her gaze catching a small figure on the stairs.

Sammy knew he had to show himself to Florence. He quickly adjusted his expression to one of numbness and confusion, and walked down the stairs. "Dr. Ryan! Ms. Sheldon..."

His eyes shone with trust and joy as

he ran towards Florence, stopping a few steps away as if wary of displeasing her, nervously twisting his shirt. "Dr. Ryan, Ms. Sheldon is here, I'm so happy..."

Florence raised her chin, eyeing Sammy suspiciously.

Ever since Ryan claimed the boy had become simple-minded and brainwashed, refusing to return to Ludwik and insisting on staying here, Florence hadn't seen him.

Now, witnessing his gaze and actions so full of apparent fondness for her, Florence snapped, "You're happy to see me? Who told you to say that?"

Sammy met her sharp gaze, his

voice innocent and child-like, "No one told me. Isn't Ms. Sheldon family? That's what Dr. Ryan and the guards say. I've been hoping you'd come to see me, for a long time."

swne

Florence turned to Ryan, detecting a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "You and the guards have been feeding him these lines?"

Ryan caught Sammy's clever act and played along with a heavy sigh, stepping into his role.

Sam didn't undergo any brain surgery; Sam didn't lose his wits! Ever since that lie was spun to Florence, it took a web of further fabrications to keep it covered.

He nodded, his mood dark and his conscience heavy, "After the operation, he woke up a blank slate. The first person he saw was you, and he took to you like family."

Florence scoffed.

Well, Whitney, this is your just desserts. Your son has become my little puppet.

And Ludwik, he couldn't reclaim his mind.

So, Ludwik had no choice but to leave him here, pinning his hopes on Dr. Ryan's treatment, not daring to send such a fool back to Whitney.

Florence was utterly relieved, her gaze cold and satisfied as she glanced over at Sam, while Myra stepped forward, pushing Sam. aside Goofball, Ms. Sheldon's done

with you. Go play

yourself!"

Florence's eyes hardened, "Dr. Ryan, upstairs. I need to discuss something important."

Ryan immediately glanced at her abdomen, his expression turning mysteriously silent, and without a word, led the way upstairs.

Florence and Myra headed upstairs.novelbin

Sam was left in the living room, his gaze fixed.

He was waiting for the moment Florence and Ryan would meet; they were bound to discuss the secret of that day, the secret of why his mom was lying unconscious in the hospital.

He was determined to uncover it!

Before long, Sam had managed to ditch his bodyguard and sneak up to the outside of Ryan's office. He climbed up to the window, his small frame barely reaching.

Inside, Florence lay on the bed, lifting her shirt to reveal her flat stomach, talking all the while

Sam held his breath, his ears pressed against the window edge!