Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 430

However, Florence had heard that the elderly matriarch of the Lippert family led a secluded life, having relinquished her authority and influence long ago. Florence couldn't help but scoff internally. To her, securing the loyalty of Jason and Ludwik, the key male figures of the family, was paramount. Whitney's acquaintance with an aging grandmother hardly seemed advantageous.

"Florence, I brought you some iron-rich beef broth. Would you like some while it's still hot?" Ludwik offered gently, pulling Florence back from her thoughts.

With feigned bashfulness, she replied, "Ludwik, thank you for being so thoughtful. I was actually feeling a bit peckish."

Ludwik gestured for his assistant to pour a bowl for her and handed her the spoon and bowl, lowering his voice slightly to explain, "Florence, after you have the broth, we'll need to run some tests to make sure your blood pressure is normal."

Florence leaned in closer, whispering back, "Is it your mother's condition that's changed?"

"Yes, unfortunately, she'll need a transfusion within a week."

Florence quickly accepted his generous offer, "Then I'll make sure to drink up."

"Look how Ludwik dotes on Florence!" Sienna, unable to hear their exchange, envied their closeness. She raised her voice to the surrounding debutantes, "Ludwik even brings her broth to a party, just to make sure she doesn't go hungry. And feeding her himself, please, stop showing off your love; you're making it hard for the rest of us to live!"

Florence gave Ludwik an exasperated look as if to say, 'What can we do now?'

A socialite teasingly approached, asking, "Ms. Sheldon, how did you manage to capture the heart of Harmonia Country's most eligible bachelor?"

"Yeah, do tell us your love story with Ludwik!"

Florence glanced at Whitney, who was being ogled by several young noblemen, and couldn't help but smile internally at Sienna's unwitting aid. Turning to Ludwik, she whispered shyly, "Ludwik, everyone's asking. What should we do? What should we say?"

After watching her consume the broth, Ludwik set aside the bowl and scanned the crowd. The matter of their agreement was something Florence insisted on keeping confidential, and he had no intention of disclosing it. However, his gaze darkened upon noticing the men eyeing Whitney. Wrapping an arm around Florence's shoulder, he declared, "I fell for Florence first, and she for me. Let's leave it at that."

"Ah, Ludwik's admitted he likes Florence! Men always go for the pure and simple. Unlike some, who dress provocatively, attracting nothing but flies, right Ludwik?" Sienna implied, glancing at Whitney.

Ludwik nodded in agreement, "Indeed, a woman should carry herself with dignity."

Whitney, overhearing their 'love story,' scoffed in derision, especially after hearing his veiled insult. She switched her water for juice, her disdain clear.

A handsome man approached, offering to hold her glass for her. Dressed in an elegant deep blue suit, he introduced himself with a charming smile, "Whitney, may I have the pleasure of your acquaintance? I'm Shane Nelson of the Nelson family."

The Nelson family, Whitney thought, recalling Hudson mentioning them as one of the top families in Emperor City, second only to the Lipperts and followed by the Sheldons. Out of courtesy, Whitney shook his hand, "Mr. Nelson, it's nice to meet you..." Meanwhile, Florence, basking in admiration, glanced over, "Ludwik, look, my sister is speaking with a noble gentleman. Father intends for her to choose a suitor, and I'm genuinely happy for her..."

Ludwik's gaze turned icy. Noticing Florence's discomfort, he changed the subject, "Does the broth not taste good?"

"The beef broth is a bit too strong for me," Florence admitted, trying to hide her distaste.

"Then take a rest," Ludwik suggested.

"No, it's okay," Florence insisted, smiling bravely. "I want to do this, for your mother."

Touched, Ludwik sighed. Just then, the butler came to fetch him, "Sir, your father wishes to see you."

"Ludwik, please go. I'll finish this," Florence assured him.

"Thank you, Florence," Ludwik said softly before leaving.

As soon as Ludwik was out of sight, Florence whispered to Sienna, who was flaunting her status among the socialites, "That man talking to my sister, isn't that Shane Nelson?"

Sienna turned and saw Whitney speaking with her long-time crush, Mr. Nelson. "That woman, stealing my spotlight," Sienna muttered angrily as she stormed over.

Whitney eyed Shane cautiously, unsure of his intentions. "May I ask, Mr. Nelson, why you sought me out?"

Caught off guard, Shane smiled, "Are you playing coy? Many gentlemen here are evaluating you, the newly returned Ms. Sheldon. Though not as established as Ms. Sheldon herself, your beauty and allure make you a desirable match. I'm simply one of those interested." Shane's honesty took Whitney by surprise. Shaking her head, she responded, "I'm sorry, but I'm not currently interested in matrimonial alliances..."

"Mr. Nelson! You can't possibly be interested in someone like her!" Sienna blocked Whitney's path, her frustration boiling over. She jabbed a finger towards Whitney's nose and exclaimed, "Mr. Nelson, are you aware that she has a child? Rumor has it she's been through a divorce back in Banyan City. How could she possibly match up to you? If you're considering a match, it should be with someone like me. In what way am I inferior to her?"

Shane was taken aback by the confrontation. Sienna raised her voice on purpose, drawing the attention of several bystanders towards Whitney, who were all shocked by the revelation.

Florence, coughing as she caught up, confronted Sienna, "Sienna, why are you spreading lies about my sister?"

"I'm not!" Sienna retorted, her eyes darting between Florence and Shane, visibly annoyed. "Mr. Nelson, she's damaged goods, the Nelson family would never accept her."

Shane, surprised by the turn of events, tried to defuse the situation awkwardly, "Ms. Turner, these are all rumors, right? Let's hear Whitney clarify."

Whitney coolly stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Sienna and Florence, and scoffed, "If I had to clarify every baseless accusation thrown my way, I'd be exhausted. So, Ms. Sienna, are you secretly pining for Mr. Nelson?"

Her words stripped Sienna of her facade, leaving her red-faced and embarrassed. "You..."

"If I liked a man, I'd be smarter about it. Even if I wanted to speak ill of another woman, I'd use someone else's mouth to do it. Given how close you and Florence seem to be, Ms. Sienna, who did you hear these rumors from? Look at Florence, always playing the peacemaker. Men like that kind of kindness. Do you understand now, Ms. Sienna? If you wanted to smear my name, you should've manipulated Florence here to do it. And then play the part of the concerned adviser. That way, Mr. Nelson would replace you oh-so-kind!" Shane caught the underlying message immediately, replaceing the whole scene rather intriguing. Some of the sharp-eyed ladies in the crowd turned their gaze towards the 'innocently implicated' Florence. Indeed, Florence's attempt to stop Sienna had been half-hearted at best.

"Sister, what do you mean by that? I had no idea where Sienna got her rumors from," Florence retorted, visibly upset. Whitney's direct confrontation had caught her off guard, making it clear to the onlookers that she was the one stirring the pot.