Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 416

Ludwik forced his eyes shut, replying with a deliberate chill in his tone, "Whitney, you shouldn't have come to Empire City."

"What are you doing here, all strangers in a strange land? Go back to Banyan City, take good care of Danny, and don't just abandon your son like that."

He harbored a secret desire for her not to come to Empire City, fearing she might catch him with Florence...

The man gave a bitter smile, fully aware that she and Bryce had moved on, yet he clung to a fantasy. Maybe, just maybe, after his agreement with Florence ended in two years, he'd stand a chance... Self-deception, that's what it was.

It wasn't that he didn't want to see her, but he had already promised Florence his day.

With a twist of his brow and a tone devoid of warmth, he added, "I'm swamped, got a meeting this afternoon. You should leave."

Hopefully, that would send her back to Banyan City sooner.

Staring at his message felt like a cold shower to Whitney.

Why was he ordering her around, shooing her away with such detachment?

Alright, since he didn't know she had come back to reconnect with family, she'd let it slide.

Her heart sunk, though. She had mustered up the courage to extend this olive branch.

"Mama..." Danny woke, rubbing his big eyes and snuggling closer.

Seeing Mama texting Daddy made him ecstatic, but his joy quickly faded, his nose wrinkling in disappointment. "What's with this deadbeat dad acting all high and mighty? Can't he see you're giving him a chance to make things right?" Noticing his mother's dejection, Danny immediately said, "Call him!"

"You call him." Whitney, too, was irked, dialing the number before handing the phone to Danny.

Danny listened to the ringback tone, anticipation building.

---

"Ludwik-? Could you grab me..."

Florence glanced up, spotting Ludwik's phone vibrating. He was staring at it, undecided about picking up, a deep contemplation in his gaze.

Suddenly, she rose, reaching to tap his arm, "Ludwik, could you get me that glazed pot-? Oh! I'm so sorry."

The phone slipped from his grasp, tumbling into the spinning clay below.

Ludwik frowned, reaching to retrieve it, but Whitney's call went dark just then.

"Your phone?" Florence gasped, hastening to help fish it out.

The phone, now a casualty of the mud, was clearly ruined. Ludwik's gaze darkened, resigning, "It's wrecked, let it be. I'll get a new one."

"I'm so clumsy, all my fault..." The girl looked genuinely remorseful.

---

"Why won't he pick up after two tries?" Danny was visibly upset.

"Maybe he really is busy with a meeting..."

Whitney consoled her son, sending another message to explain: [I'm not leaving. I've brought Danny to Empire City too; he wants to see his dad. Message me when you're free.] Using her son as an excuse, her heart raced, hoping he'd show up in the afternoon.

But by four, there was no reply, no sign of him coming to see them.

Danny's hope dimmed, "Dad's such a jerk. Are we not more important than his work?"

"Mama, don't be upset. When he shows up tomorrow, we'll make him kneel on durians!"

Whitney, equally frustrated, agreed, "A whole row of them."

"Let's prick him good." Danny huffed, trying to cheer his mom.

The mood lifted slightly, and by five, Mr. Sheldon's driver arrived, Whitney reluctantly handing Danny over to the nanny.

The nanny, along with two bodyguards from Banyan City, made her feel somewhat at ease.

Changing into something more appropriate, she stepped into the private car.

By six, she arrived at the opulent Brew Hill estate-Sheldon Mansion, where she bumped into Hudson descending from a grand manor atop the hill. "Daddy..."

"That's the Lippert family, the first family of Harmonia Country."

Hudson pointed to the hilltop, winking, "I was looking for Jason Lippert, but he wasn't home today..."

Whitney caught on, but before she could ponder further,

A graceful woman emerged from the mansion, "Husband, is this Whitney? She's quite the beauty."

"This is my wife, Holly." Hudson introduced warmly.

"Nice to meet you."

Whitney eyed Mrs. Sheldon, thoughts of her mother crossing her mind. This woman, unlike expected, welcomed her warmly despite her being an illegitimate daughter. Clearly, she wasn't an easy figure to read.

"Whitney is very polite, come on in." Holly smiled, leading the way.

As they walked down the garden path, a sudden splash from above caught Whitney off-guard. Attempting to dodge, she slipped on the wet path, tumbling into the mud. "Well, isn't this a grand gesture for a family reunion?" A scornful voice rang out.

Standing before Whitney was a haughty girl, her laugh sharp.

Slowly, Whitney stood, locking eyes with her.

"Sienna, what are you playing at?" Holly sighed, introducing, "Whitney, this is your cousin, Sienna Turner, my sister's daughter..."

"Sienna Turner, apologize to your cousin!" Hudson's voice was stern.

"Uncle..." Sienna glared at Whitney, "She's not Florence, the legitimate Ms. Sheldon. What sister is she to me, just a country bumpkin." With that, Sienna ran towards the house.

"Stay right there! Who asked you to come?" Hudson's face darkened.

"I came with grandma!" Sienna retorted confidently.

Holly looked at Hudson helplessly, "My mother brought her; what can I do, dear? Sienna is still young, don't be angry with a child. Right, Whitney?"

Whitney could clearly hear the snide remark was aimed at her. If she responded with anger, it would only prove their point.

She flashed Hudson a smile, "Dad, it's okay, really. Holly's right, all debutantes have their moments. I'll just let it slide, don't worry about it."

"Whitney, you're so mature," Hudson said, his voice tinged with guilt and affection.

Holly silently seethed. When had she ever said debutantes were temperamental? Whitney, with her sweet-as-pie act, was really getting on her nerves. She thought to herself, "What a little snake."

"Whitney, come in, your grandparents must be waiting for you," Hudson said, ushering her inside.

But when they entered the villa, only a silver-haired grandmother was seated in the grand living room.

Sienna, who had been trying to trip Whitney up earlier, stood by the elderly lady, sneering as Whitney entered. "Grandma, this country girl really doesn't know any manners. Doesn't even know to bow when she sees you." Hudson glanced over sharply, and Sienna straightened up.

Hudson frowned, "Mom, where's Dad? I told you I was bringing Whitney home to meet you guys today."

The grandmother, sitting regally, gave Whitney a once-over. Noticing the mud on her pants and her disheveled appearance, she frowned slightly, clearly unimpressed.

Whitney instantly knew why Sienna had pulled that stunt outside. It was all a calculated move to make her look bad.

With a slight lift of her lips, Whitney remained calm and greeted, "Grandma, hello, I'm Whitney."

The grandmother hummed a non-committal response, her demeanor cool.

Turning to sip her tea, she then addressed Hudson, "Your father's not been well, rarely leaves the old house. I came to see for myself. Besides, has this girl had a paternity test yet?"

"What are you talking about? Of course, she's my daughter!" Hudson said, his face darkening.

"That remains to be seen. Uncle, she doesn't look anything like you. It's best to have a test to avoid raising someone else's child," Sienna interjected, with a smirk.

Holly chimed in with a smile, "Mom, Sienna, Whitney is beautiful, and though she might not resemble Hudson much, she probably takes after her mother."

That comment made Emma remember Parisa, and her expression darkened as she looked at Whitney...