Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 470

The ominous black SUV that had kidnapped him was finally tracked down in Empire City.

"I bet Sammy's probably in Empire City, held captive. His fingerprints were on the car, along with another adult's - they were partial, but I've got the police on it for a match. This piece of fabric, Sammy must've torn it off someone!" Ludwik presented the fabric clearly, as Whitney and Danny leaned in closer to inspect.

The man spoke gravely, "This looks like it could be from a woman's dress, maybe Elaine's. If that's the case, then this clue might not mean much, because Sammy... he's no longer with Elaine."

Whitney zoomed in on the fabric, suddenly asking, "But what if it isn't Elaine's? Does she usually wear this kind of embroidered clothing?"

"I never paid attention." Ludwik tried to recall, but realized he couldn't remember Elaine's usual attire; he never cared about her.

Whitney scoffed at his response, "And to think you were with her for three years."

"..." Ludwik gave her a cold look, ignoring her sarcasm.

Whitney frowned, "Regardless, Sammy left us this for a reason, he's smart! I believe this fabric is a vital clue, we should check its material, craftsmanship, or maybe the pattern?"

"This flower pattern is peculiar, Mom." Danny's sharp eyes were fixed on the embroidery. "I haven't seen this flower design anywhere else, but it feels familiar..." He scrunched up his face in thought. "Where have you seen it?" Ludwik asked, bending down.

Danny was momentarily lost, "I can't pinpoint it, but it struck a chord the moment I saw it."

"No worries, think it over," Whitney said, looking back up at Ludwik, "If you're heading to Banyan City, could you confront Elaine about whether this fabric is from her dress?"

"I'll be in Banyan City in the next few days," Ludwik said with a furrowed brow, when suddenly, his phone rang.

Caller ID flashed: Florence.

Danny and Whitney both froze, then Danny pursed his lips, his warm attitude due to Sammy's situation suddenly turning icy. He declined Florence's call.

"That vixen, calling so late! Hmph!"

Whitney watched her son's actions silently, her thoughts drifting away, as if a cold wind had swept through her heart.

Ludwik glanced at her, his handsome face stiffening. The atmosphere, just moments before harmonious, now felt shattered, sinking into silence. His lips tightened unconsciously, hesitating to call back, but then, the phone rang again...

---

At the Sheldon family home.

Nine o'clock, amidst the dense night, Florence met with Drew before driving back from the Sheldon family's back hill to the front yard villa. She hadn't even taken off her gloves when entering her bedroom.

Holly was waiting in her room, faintly detecting a hint of blood on her daughter's gloves. Holly's eyes shimmered, she closed the door tightly before asking in a low voice, "Florence, did you go...?" "Yes, handled it."

"Well, keeping him in the Sheldon Mansion always led to restless nights. Especially today, with Danny searching the Sheldon family, we couldn't risk keeping him..."

Florence coughed lightly, and Holly stopped mid-sentence.

"Mom, why didn't things go as planned today? It was such a perfect opportunity." Florence's eyes were tightly knitted, her mood soured.

Holly slapped her thigh, "I had everything calculated, but that Molly, a five-year-old girl, couldn't drown a three-year-old boy. I was livid, to make matters worse, it stirred up trouble. That wretch Whitney, suspecting me, went around complaining to Camilla, Heidi, and even your father, hinting at my deeds! Your father confronted me today, wanting a divorce!" Florence's brows quivered, "Did father really say that? You and he have been married for over twenty years..."

"Hah, what's the use. He's still hung up on Parisa! It's all Whitney's fault. If she hadn't come back, your father wouldn't be reminded of that wretch so often. Whitney's causing us endless trouble, she's deceiving your father, all to get her hands on the Sheldon Group, her ambition is clear. As long as she's alive, she'll take away your father and Ludwik, I can't stand that wretch for one more day! Today I spoke with your uncle, he's got connections, knows people on the streets, he'll just..." Holly made a 'snap' gesture with her hands. Florence's eyes narrowed, she unfolded a handkerchief, touching the pattern on it, and smiled, "That would make things easier for me. Once I get the 4% shares, you can make your move."

"Right!" Holly, filled with rage, looked at her precious daughter, a chill running through her. If Hudson seriously considered divorce, she'd need to plan for herself and Florence, especially if Hudson found out Florence wasn't... Holly clenched her fist. She and that man had plotted for years, the Sheldon Group had to fall into Florence's hands, Hudson still wanted to leave it to Whitney, she'd have to be ruthless!

Florence, looking at the declined call, her gaze cooled. "Ludwik left with Whitney and her son this afternoon?" she asked her mother.

"Weren't you supposed to have dinner with him?" Holly frowned, "...It must be Whitney enticing him to stay! Florence, you can't let them spend too much time together, now that Whitney has her son with her, it's easy for them to bond." "Hmph, I know how to get Ludwik back." Florence's lips curled into a cold smirk, redialing the phone.

Ludwik stepped away to take Florence's call, hearing her rushed coughing, she said in a whimper, "Ludwik, the doctor checked my blood pressure, and it's not looking good. It's already ten, aren't you coming back to check on me? The doctor insisted I take this herbal concoction, but without you here, I just can't stomach it. My heart rate's all over the place too, I'm such a klutz..."

Her voice was feeble, a soft plea for comfort.

Ludwik's brow furrowed as he checked the time; indeed, it was ten, the usual time for her nightly check-up. He had promised to be there, to stand by her side. How could her blood pressure be off again?

Taking a deep breath, Ludwik hurried back, only to replace Whitney standing there in silence, desolately alone. His heart twitched at the sight. Avoiding eye contact, his expression grim, he headed towards the suite's entrance. "I... got something urgent to tend to. You guys should head to bed early."

Danny glared coldly, fists clenched. Without a word, he suddenly stormed off, slamming the door to his room shut behind him!

Ludwik froze in place.

Whitney, trying to hide the flush of anger because of her son, scoffed in disappointment. "If you can't be there for him, don't pretend like you care. Kids aren't like adults; they get hurt easily." "Whitney..."

"Don't keep your sweetheart waiting, Mr. Lippert!" Whitney sneered, cutting him off without a chance to explain, and forcefully shut the door.