Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 509

Florence dug her nails into her palm, her face quickly showing a hint of distress. "Grandpa, you're worrying too much! Sure, Ludwik and I had a bit of a tiff before we got engaged. Mom guessed it right. He's still mad at me today, so he's probably using my sister to make me jealous on purpose. How could he and my sister even know each other? You've forgotten, at the Sheldon Mansion's dinner party, Ludwik was so considerate and nice to me. If he didn't like me, why would he engage me?" Jared looked thoughtful, furrowing his brows.

Holly stepped forward immediately, "Dad, you can rest easy. The engagement is set, and now with Hudson out of the picture, the Sheldon family's future and fortune are resting on Ludwik's shoulders. Florence will be our lucky star. You and mom have been worrying here for so long, you must be tired. Why not head back to the mansion and rest?"

Emma didn't seem to doubt their words, and even looked at Jared, "Holly's right. Why don't you let Hugh assist Florence properly? The future of the Sheldon Group will depend on Ludwik after all, so naturally, Florence should be the heir."

Jared pondered for a moment before slowly nodding. Holly then squinted her eyes, helping the elders out.

Soon after, she came back to replace Florence in the hospital room. Holly frowned slightly, whispering, "Florence, are you really engaged to Ludwik?"

"Of course, it's real! He had no other choice," Florence coughed out excitedly.

Holly hesitated, "But the way he treats you has done a complete 180. He's so cold towards you now. It was in front of the old man today, but what if it happens in front of the high society in Emperor City? Won't the news that you're not his favorite spread? Just being engaged, what does that help you with? Everyone will know he doesn't have you in his heart. That's what he wants, isn't it?"

Indeed, Ludwik now seemed utterly unguarded, not only showing no respect but also giving her a cold shoulder. His treatment of her was poor, and she dared not play any tricks with the marrow donation. Because only by succeeding in the donation could she have his child, and he was well aware of the leverage.

Florence clenched her teeth in hatred, her dark eyes flashing with a cold light, "Mom, please get Myra to contact a Dr. Ryan for me. I need to act now, to get pregnant before the marrow donation!"

Holly's eyes widened, though not fully grasping her daughter's plan, a smile touched the corners of her eyes.

Florence thought of how Ludwik is now openly showing care and affection for Whitney. Driven by jealousy, she knew she had to act first before he and Whitney could mend their relationship. She had laid out her plans long ago, not allowing anyone to ruin her victorious ending.

---

Ludwik rushed Whitney into the emergency room. Looking at her unconscious form, he stood silently, agitated, before realizing his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

The doctor looked up, "We'll do our best in treating the patient. Who is the family member? Please follow the nurse to make the payment."

Felix immediately turned around.

Ludwik stopped him, his voice hoarse, "I'll go myself. Also, replace out how she's been spending her week in Banyan City, if she had any health issues, why she's this weak?"

Felix thought to himself, Ms. Valentine must be suffering from continuous psychological blows. Worrying about Sammy's disappearance for so long, holding the matter of Natalie in her heart, and then, her father suddenly getting shot and falling into a coma...

---

At the Lippert Group, Bryce stepped out from a secretive office within the building, the door briefly revealing the half-hidden figure of a man inside. The man smiled at Bryce, "Mr. Lutz, consider what I've told you."

"I've already agreed over the phone last time. We'll have a pleasant cooperation," Bryce replied, squinting his eyes, a deep hatred lurking within.

After leaving the Lippert Group discreetly, he got into his car, only to hear a radio broadcast about Hudson being shot. Bryce narrowed his eyes, no wonder he couldn't reach Whitney. He steered towards the hospital mentioned in the news.

---

Half an hour later, the door to the emergency room opened, and the doctor and nurse stepped out, "Ludwik, preliminary checks show Ms. Valentine is suffering from acute gastritis. Her fainting was due to a surge of anger, but it's nothing serious. She'll recover with some rest. To ease your worries, we've conducted a full check-up including blood tests..."

Ludwik nodded, striding into the room. The person on the bed was still unconscious. He frowned, "Why is she still like this?"

The doctor was puzzled, "Don't worry, Ms. Valentine is just extremely exhausted. She's sleeping deeply. Do you want me to wake her?"

The man waved him off irritably, sitting down by the bed, his posture rigid. The doctor hurried out.

Felix then came in, "Mr. Doonan got the message and has rushed to the scene of Ms. Sheldon's shooting. He says the truth should be uncovered tonight."

"Hmm." Ludwik's eyes, deep as icy ponds, changed the topic, "How has she been doing these days in Banyan City?"

He had only heard from Dr. Ford that she spent a lot of time with her mother, probably worrying and overworking herself.

Felix's response was expected, "Ms. Valentine has been in low spirits, running around and overworking, so her appetite must have been poor. She bought stomach medicine in Banyan City, so the doctor's diagnosis seems accurate."

Hearing this, Ludwik's handsome lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze deepening as it slid from her beautiful, slender face to her delicate wrist. He leaned in, his gaze softening, his hand capturing her slender wrist, holding it tightly.

He remained silent, his breath cold, but Felix felt Mr. Lippert was certainly blaming himself inside. Blaming himself for not replaceing Ms. Valentine's Sammy...

"Uh, Ludwik, we've got the bloodwork and other tests back for Ms. Valentine."

The doctor approached from the doorway. Ludwik, seated, looked up. The doctor's expression was off, and after all these rounds of tests his mother had undergone, worry and fear had taken enough of a toll on him. He stood up, his posture tall and imposing, his slacks crisp. He approached the doctor, voice low, "Is there something wrong with the results?"

The doctor hesitated, shaking his head before nodding vigorously, "No serious illness, but she..."

"But what?" Ludwik pressed, his voice deep and demanding.

The doctor paused, seeming uneasy, "Is Ms. Valentine's husband or boyfriend here?"

At that question, Felix noticed Ludwik's face turn a shade darker. He was visibly annoyed.

Felix chuckled, "Doctor, what's with your eyesight? Mr. Lippert is Ms. Valentine's next of kin!"

"Ah? Is that so... Well, then, Ludwik, please, come with me."

What was all this secrecy about? Ludwik, face tight with tension, followed the doctor to a quieter spot in the hallway.

"According to the blood tests, Ms. Valentine has elevated white blood cell counts, which is manageable... but the tests also revealed she's pregnant. Her HCG levels are very high!"

Ludwik stood frozen, as if hit by a bolt of lightning, his eyes wide with shock. He swallowed hard, his eyes brimming with a mix of disbelief and overwhelming joy, like a tsunami churning inside him, "What did you say? Say that again?!"