Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 454

"Danny, what makes you think that?" Whitney straightened up in her chair, concern knitting her brow.

Danny repeated the story, "I was leaving Great-Grandma's backyard when I bumped into her. She seemed so shocked to see me? Even her maid looked a bit jittery. It was weird. If it was just because I look like Dad, her surprise wouldn't make sense. And then Florence asked me, 'Your name is Danny?' as if it's strange for me to be called that. Who else looks like me but isn't named Danny, except for Sammy?"

Whitney fell into a thoughtful silence.

She didn't trust Florence one bit, suspecting the woman had somehow known about Ludwik Jr.'s identity before she suddenly started dating him. Why Ludwik Jr. would fall for Florence was beyond Whitney's comprehension.

She pondered, recalling the photo of Florence and Ludwik Jr. at the movies in Banyan City... right after Sammy had vanished! It was impossible for Florence to have met Sammy unless... she had been lurking in Banyan City for a longer time.

Sammy was always by Whitney's side. If Florence had seen Sammy, then she must have been investigating Whitney too. A chill ran down Whitney's spine at the thought.

Florence was playing a deep game, perhaps putting in a lot of effort just to 'meet' Ludwik Jr... spying from the shadows...

Whitney looked at her son, "Danny, your suspicions are just that, without concrete evidence. Even if we confront Florence, she could easily brush us off. Whether she met Sammy before or after his disappearance is something we need to figure out. I'll keep this in mind and try to get more out of her. I know you're worried about Sammy, and so am I, but we have to believe in his smarts. He's always been capable of taking care of himself."

Danny clenched his fists, comforted by his mom's words but also forming his own plans. He was convinced Florence was up to no good. Why else would she look at him that way tonight? He was determined to replace a way to expose her.

Meanwhile, in the car parked outside the Lippert mansion, Florence twisted her handkerchief anxiously, speaking to Myra. "Drew didn't replace out they had twins?!"

"Ms. Sheldon, Drew didn't specifically look into it back in Banyan City," Myra explained. "We only knew about Sammy because of Elaine's kidnapping. Had we dealt with both children then..."

Florence scowled, the evening turning into a complete shock. "Another child, another complication. Sammy already created a rift between them, and now Danny could be another link. Plus, there might be some twin intuition..." Understanding the hint, Myra's eyes grew cold. "If you think Danny is a problem, perhaps..."

Florence's gaze sharpened. "And Drew still hasn't found that car to destroy? We can't let Ludwik's people beat us to it."

As Ludwik approached, Florence quickly composed herself, stepping out of the car with a feigned cough that grabbed his attention. He hesitated, torn between spending time with Whitney and Danny and Florence's well-being.

Back at the hotel, Danny, having received a text from his dad, opened the medicine bag Ludwik left in the car. "Mom, I need to apply some ointment to my ear," he announced, part of his strategy.

Whitney, preparing to bathe him, checked his wound. "Who did you run into at the Lippert's?"

"Just some girl, my cousin from Dad's side. No biggie, I'll handle her next time."

Whitney advised Danny to avoid conflict when visiting his great-grandma, then noticed the two tubes of ointment Ludwik mentioned, one supposedly for her. Puzzled, she tossed it in the trash, a silent protest against Ludwik's half-hearted gestures. Danny, wanting to support his mom, boldly suggested they could do without Ludwik. Whitney laughed softly, appreciating his sentiment but reminding him not to let her emotions affect his relationship with his father.

Danny, his emotions mixed, wondered what had drawn his dad to Florence. Maybe there was a reason behind his dad's actions after all. Even in anger, Danny couldn't help but see his dad's care in the simple act of sending ointment.

So why was he with Florence, of all people, a sickly bird, when he could have had someone as caring and nurturing as Mom?

-

The following day, Whitney went to meet Bryce to discuss getting an appraisal done on a piece of land they were interested in.

"You're heading back to Banyan City this afternoon, right? Once I replace out when the land is up for auction, I'll figure out how to get in touch with the Lippert Group."

After wrapping up their business, Whitney and Bryce grabbed lunch together, but she didn't return to Bryce's hotel.

"Safe travels," she said, waving goodbye at the restaurant.

Bryce, however, was lost in thought, still reeling from the previous night's blow.

The land they were interested in belonged to the Lippert Group. If Whitney was going to negotiate, it would undoubtedly be like walking into Ludwik's lair, subject to his whims.

He clenched his fist, a dark cloud hovering over his heart, when suddenly his phone rang. Irritated, Bryce answered without checking the caller ID.

There was a pause on the other end, then a voice as chilling as a ghost's whisper came through, "Mr. Lutz, interested in a partnership?"

Bryce tensed up, furrowing his brows as he took the phone from his ear to check the number-sure enough, it was unknown. "Who is this?" he asked, managing to keep his voice steady and cold.

"You're looking into Ludwik's weak spots... Heh," the voice hissed like a venomous snake, "You must really hate him, huh?"