Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 424

Hudson glanced over, shaking his head. "It's empty, just stuffed with odds and ends. We had to seal it up because we were worried the family dog might get in there and start chewing everything." "Is that so?" Whitney frowned, but her gaze couldn't help but drift back, drawn by some inexplicable pull, perhaps the eeriness of the antiquity.

Hudson's true intention wasn't to show her the room but to replace a quiet spot to talk to his daughter. His voice carried a hint of resignation, his eyes complex. "Whitney, tonight's developments were unexpected. Florence and Ludwik dating came as a surprise. I can see you're hurt. Is there something between you and Ludwik that I don't know about? It's only recently we've reconnected, and I'm still catching up on your life. I blame myself for this. The merger between the Lippert family and the Sheldon Group seems set in stone, and I'm afraid it's too late to change anything..."

Listening to his apology, Whitney's heart felt bitter. She scoffed, shaking her head. "Dad, don't blame yourself. This isn't on you. It all boils down to my poor judgment in men. I couldn't care less about this merger with the Sheldon Group now." "This is all so sudden; I'll look into it," Hudson said, squinting at her. "You're not staying here tonight?"

Whitney needed to get away, to catch her breath. She was putting on a brave face, but alone, she'd face her rawest emotions. Tears glimmered in the corners of her eyes as she smiled. "No, I'll be leaving shortly. Danny's waiting for me back home." "If Ludwik wasn't so influential, I'd give him a piece of my mind," Hudson said, his frustration evident.

Heading back inside, Whitney grabbed her bag, and Hudson's driver followed her out. Under the porch light, the elongated shadows of a man and woman entangled, seemingly in an embrace. Florence stood close to Ludwik, whispering sweet nothings, oblivious to the world around them.

Whitney's steps halted abruptly. The sight of Ludwik bending over to accommodate Florence, a profile Whitney once adored, now dripped with irony.

"Ludwik, you're so tall. Doesn't it tire you to stoop down to talk to me?" Florence's voice was sugary sweet.

"Not at all."

"Do you think I'm too short?"

"No." His voice was patient, albeit slightly distracted.

"I'm a bit shorter than my sister..." Florence's eyes inadvertently caught Whitney's approaching shadow. "My sister's so beautiful. I was stunned when I first saw her today. She's much prettier than me. Sickly people like me just don't have that kind of glow. Do you think, after seeing my sister, you could ever replace her attractive?"

Ludwik fell silent, his affection more than mere liking, yet doomed from the start.

Noticing his distraction, Florence looked down. "I'm being boring, aren't I? Sorry, I guess it's just my insecurity talking."

He frowned, encouraging her despite his own turmoil. "Don't be discouraged; it's bad for your health. Florence, you're beautiful in your own way. Remember to check your blood pressure tomorrow, okay?"

Catching Whitney's frozen shadow, Florence brightened with a nod. "If only every dog didn't block the path," a voice suddenly cut through.

Ludwik spun around, startled to see Whitney clutching her bag tightly, her eyes vacant as if she hadn't seen him. Brushing past without a word, she moved forward.

"Whitney, why are you leaving? Won't you stay... Ah!" Florence moved to speak but suddenly swayed, nearly collapsing. Ludwik, unsure if Whitney was to blame, instinctively caught Florence. "Are you okay?"

"It's nothing. Just bumped by my sister," Florence managed to say, gasping with a pained smile. "I wonder if she dislikes me. Is it just my imagination, Ludwik?"

His gaze lingered on Whitney's retreating figure, a mix of light and shadow making her appear even more fragile. A shadow crossed Florence's eyes as she caught his longing look.

---

In the Sheldon family's study, Hudson eyed Holly with a serious expression. "Florence has been abroad for treatment and only returned to the country half a month ago, avoiding Emperor City. As her mother, you have no idea where she's been? And how did she come to meet Ludwik privately? You're really clueless?"

Holly appeared innocently bewildered. "Honey, she's twenty-one. She doesn't need to report everything to me. Since coming back, Myra's been with her. I didn't pry daily. Maybe they fell in love at first sight during a trip."

Hudson's gaze sharpened, pressing on. "So it's just a coincidence that I bring Whitney home the same day Florence brings Ludwik to meet us? And this merger between the Lippert and Sheldon families, you knew as soon as Jason mentioned it. Don't tell me you orchestrated their meeting, securing this alliance in advance?"

Holly's heart skipped, but she feigned distress. "Husband! How could you think that of me? I had no idea that Florence was dating Ludwik, and according to Florence, she was just as surprised. It's just a twist of fate. And you know Florence, always so easy-going, not one to overthink things."

"She might not overthink, but you, as her mother-" Hudson paused, his tone turning deep and slightly cold, "I haven't forgotten what you and the Walkers pulled off with me back in the day. You thought you were safe after Whitney disappeared, and now that she's back, are you...?"

"Honey! I was a victim in that whole ordeal too. I never meant to break you and Parisa apart... After all these years of loving and standing by you, doesn't that prove my love? I adore Whitney just the same. But you... don't think I don't know about your little meeting with Jason this afternoon, planning to set Whitney up in an arranged marriage. Poor Florence, by all means, you should be loving her unconditionally. It's not sitting well with me."

Hudson stiffened, falling silent. After a moment, he said, "If I didn't love Florence, I wouldn't have given her an 8% stake in the company. Anyway, Whitney will be moving in with us, try to be more accepting. I don't want to see her mistreated. You've worked hard today." With that, the imposing figure of Hudson exited the study. Holly wrapped her arms around him from behind, her voice soft, sliding her hand down his waist, "Honey, will you come to the bedroom and wait for me?"

Hudson removed her hand, his expression cool, his tone gentle, "I'm not used to sharing my bed, my dear. You should rest early." He patted Holly's hand and walked away.

Alone, Holly's expression darkened. It had been almost a decade since she and Hudson had shared a marital bed, and even before, it was rare. She knew Hudson's heart still harbored that woman. Now with Whitney back, that face resembling Parisa's only made Hudson pine more. In the end, men are unreliable. The only reliable things are power and wealth held in one's own hands. Hudson must think she loved him, huh.

Holly headed to her daughter's room. Florence was having her hair dried by Myra, sitting in front of the vanity, sipping on a glass of milk. As Holly entered, she signaled, and Myra excused herself wisely, closing the door behind her. "Mom, did Dad come to see you?" Florence asked lightly.