Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 417

For Mrs. Sheldon, the person she despised most back in the day was Parisa.

Her son, outstanding and distinguished, was seduced by Parisa, a girl from a humble background, nearly causing a rift with the Sheldon family.

She had three children: Hudson was the eldest, the second had issues, and the youngest, a daughter, was Sienna's mother.

The Sheldon family almost lost their heirloom, and at one point, they nearly fell apart! Her opinion of Parisa was nothing short of calling her a siren.

Mrs. Sheldon snorted coldly at the thought, her gaze on Whitney growing even colder, "What's the use of being pretty? A girl needs to have a good character, follow the rules, and know honor from disgrace.

Especially women from a centuries-old dynasty like ours, need to be as pure as the driven snow, not always scheming to seduce the powerful. Like Holly and Hudson, perfectly matched, even Holly's daughter Florence, gentle as water, uncontentious with the world. That's what a true lady looks like."

Mrs. Sheldon's words were clearly pointed, and even more so, pointed at multiple targets.

Whitney caught the harshness in her words, felt upset for her mother, and was indirectly scolded as a newly acknowledged granddaughter.

Her heart turned cold, indignant for her mother, but she remained silent, watching the dynamics unfold, understanding who was truly family and who was distant.

"Mom, it's Whitney's first day back home, was it necessary to say all this?"

Hudson, slightly annoyed but hesitant, afraid to bring up Parisa and hurt Whitney further, frowned, "Enough, I'm acknowledging my daughter, let's keep other opinions to ourselves."

"Yeah, Mom, I think Whitney is quite polite. You keep praising me and Florence, be careful Whitney might feel left out."

Holly, slightly embarrassed as if trying to keep the peace, said.

"If she feels left out, that really would show her small-mindedness." Mrs. Sheldon glanced at Whitney, displeased. "Aunt, you are so considerate." Sienna complimented.

Whitney saw through Holly's not-so-simple maneuvers; bringing Sienna and Mrs. Sheldon into play,

Sienna acted willful and naive, Mrs. Sheldon was challenging, and with a few words, Holly easily ignited their ire towards her. And she herself, was the gentle Mrs. Sheldon.

Whitney hid her smirk, obediently saying, "Of course, I won't take it to heart, being new here, I have a lot to learn from you.

You were very generous just now, mentioning to Grandma: I resemble my mom, and you weren't upset, truly broad-minded." After saying this, she slowly looked at Hudson.

Hudson, upon this reminder, seemed to realize something, his gaze towards Holly turning icy.

"You bringing up these old matters, made Mom prejudiced against Whitney! What are you trying to achieve?" Hudson's voice was low but stern. "Honey, I didn't..." Holly quickly glanced at Whitney, surprised at her cunning.

She was furious inside.

"Enough." Mrs. Sheldon changed the subject, turning with a smile, "Where's Florence? That child is frail, Holly, why did you let her go out?

She said she's in love and will bring her boyfriend today to meet us, is that true?"

"She's in love." Holly smiled, looking at Mrs. Sheldon and then at Hudson, slapping her thigh, "Oh, I almost forgot, Florence did say she'd bring her boyfriend home today to meet her parents. Coincidentally, Whitney is also back today; it's a double celebration for the Sheldon family tonight."

Hudson, surprised, asked as a father, "When did Florence start dating? I've not heard her mention it, who is the boy's family?"

Holly affectionately said, "Florence told me it was love at first sight.

I'm so happy she's in love given her frail health, I didn't ask much about the boy..."

Holly said, glancing at Whitney, a ripple of coldness hidden behind her smile.

The topic being unrelated to her, Whitney paid it no mind.

However, the butler suddenly announced from outside, "Sir, madam, Mrs. Sheldon, Miss Sheldon has brought a gentleman home! Congratulations!"

Hudson, taken aback, furrowed his brows but stood up politely,

The family headed to the entrance to welcome them.

Mrs. Sheldon was delighted, "Florence's boyfriend must be a fine young man; I want to meet him... haha."

Outside the mansion, a Bentley pulled up, its headlights shining, illuminating the spacious back seat as the door opened.

Florence held up a cup, smiling, "Ludwik.

Do you think this pottery we made together would make a good gift for my sister? It's her first time coming home, and I'm so happy. Our home has been quite lonely with just me being unwell..."

"Your sister is coming home for the first time?" Ludwik got out, helping the girl down from the car.

Florence smiled purely under the streetlight, "Yes, I haven't met her. She's the daughter my dad just found."

Hearing this, Ludwik's heart skipped a beat, an inexplicable anxiety rising within him.

As they walked side by side toward the house, Florence spoke softly, "I'm so happy today, I finally went out on a date like other girls, did pottery, even took a dance lesson. If Ludwik hadn't been there to support me, I couldn't have managed." The girl twirled at the doorstep, a mix of joy and sorrow in her voice, "I didn't dance well, did I, Ludwik? Hold me..."

This was her home, her parents might be watching.

Ludwik remembered his role, 'cooperating' by gently catching her waist.

""You looked beautiful." The man said with a soft, deep laugh.

The porch light cast a soft, yellow glow, the beautiful couple embraced in a dance, a scene of romance and envy.

"Florence, and who is this gentleman?" Hudson coughed, breaking the silence.

"Father!" Florence's cheeks blazed with embarrassment as she swiftly untangled herself from the man's embrace, "This is my boyfriend..."

And with that, the striking silhouette turned to face them, his voice cool and detached, "Jared, I am..."

His voice trailed off abruptly.

Ludwik was dumbstruck, his body rigid with shock. His eyes stirred a storm as they fixed on the delicate figure opposite him.

Whitney stood frozen in place, as if time had pressed pause just for her!

Her world came to a standstill, the couple before her blurring into the background as her mind reeled in shock and irony.

She must be hallucinating.

Why was Ludwik here?

Whose boyfriend was he?

Yet, her thoughts were crystal clear, a cacophony of something shattering, a heart-wrenching plummet!

She faintly realized, it was her own heart, being ruthlessly carved open, its chilling emptiness exposed.

The pain was overwhelming, her palms slick with cold sweat as she stared at Ludwik.

Stared at him holding another girl's waist, her mind tormented by the images of them dancing together, his tender, indulgent smile.

She couldn't believe he belonged to someone else now.

Panic and pain etched across her face as she glanced towards Florence, her body trembling slightly, her eyes focusing on the girl's porcelain features.

It was a face... strikingly similar to her own, but purer, more innocent, utterly endearing.

Whitney's mind exploded, in that instant, Florence's face overlaid with that of the girl from the photos, watching a movie with Ludwik!