Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 514

Three days later.

Whitney had everything arranged in Hudson's hospital room-she hired a caregiver and personally interviewed a few bodyguards to ensure round-the-clock protection. Her acute gastritis had flared up but was now under control and no longer painful. The doctors assured

her that there were no other health issues. Whitney felt the same and was discharged from the hospital.

That morning, Parker rushed to the hospital, planning to drive her back to the hotel. But Bryce had arrived first. As soon as he entered the room, Parker saw Bryce packing Whitney's bags. Parker's eyes narrowed fiercely as he walked in. Whitney smiled at him, but it was a polite, distant smile. Silently cursing Ludwik under his breath, Parker realized Whitney wasn't too keen on dealing with him anymore.

"Ms. Valentine, all set to go? I can drive you back to the hotel," Parker said, a hint of a smirk on his face as he glanced at Bryce, mocking his attentiveness.

Whitney looked at Parker and declined, "Mr. Doonan, that won't be necessary."

"It's no trouble at all; Ludwik himself insisted!"

Bryce turned around, a deep smile in his eyes, "I'm afraid that makes Whitney even less inclined to accept Mr. Doonan's offer."

Whitney's silence spoke volumes. She walked over to Bryce, grabbed her bag, and said, "Really, Mr. Doonan, it's okay." She calmly walked out of the room. Bryce gently supported her slender waist as they left. Parker felt a surge of annoyance bubble up inside him and let out a long sigh.

"Whitney!" he called out, determined to catch up, "I've got something to say to you. You wouldn't deny me a moment, would you?"

Bryce's eyes narrowed, "Whitney, Mr. Doonan here just wants to put in a good word for Ludwik..."

Whitney knew. But she could feel Parker's genuine concern for her. She paused, turning slightly, "Bryce, could you please wait for me in the car?"

As Parker approached, he once again glanced at Bryce, whose mood seemed off, "You're quite formal with him, aren't you?"

Bryce clenched his jaw. Whitney walked to a quieter spot in the corridor, "Mr. Doonan, if this is about Ludwik, I'd rather not."

Parker's glasses caught the light as he spoke, "I just want to point out some truths you're probably already aware of. You were willing to come back to Banyan City to investigate Natalie's condition for Ludwik's sake. Whitney, can't you see his engagement to Florence is just a strategic delay? His goal is simply to extract information from her to safely rescue Sammy. Because it's your child, he doesn't want to burn all bridges!

Want to know the real deal? We've investigated Florence; she has no slip-ups. That's why Ludwik is resorting to this tactic, baiting Florence, waiting for her to slip up. And the reason he hasn't acted against Florence yet is that Ludwik needs something from her." The spinal cord.

Whitney understood. But that didn't mean she approved of his foolish decision to sacrifice his marriage. He was a man used to going his own way, with his own plans and strategies. Why should she forgive his so-called difficulties? Why should she play along with his games, allowing him to hurt her over and over again? No. She wouldn't allow it.

Seeing Whitney silent, Parker grew anxious, "I think you could try to see things from his perspective. He's especially guilty about Sammy, wanting to give you back a son unharmed. He also wants Natalie to recover. It's just a month! Whitney, why can't you try to understand his feelings?"

"And who's there to understand mine?" Whitney's cold question cut through. She scoffed, "He makes decisions without consulting anyone. Let him taste the consequences alone. Besides, he and Florence make a perfect match, don't they? I didn't see him unhappy." She added, "He can save his Sammy and mother. I'll replace my own way. We have nothing to do with each other. I won't foolishly pin my hopes on him again."

The repeated despair and his mockery had pushed her to her limit. Parker stepped back, understanding her stance, "I know it's hard for you to stand by him now."

"Then Mr. Doonan, don't make it difficult."

As Whitney turned to leave, she remembered Natalie's spinal condition. She wanted to share her suspicions with Parker, but with Ludwik entangled with Florence, she wasn't sure if revealing her theory about Florence poisoning Natalie would endanger her daughter. All she could do was warn, "Natalie's spinal decay isn't simple. I don't know why Dr. Ford barred me from the details. I've thought about it, and there's only one possibility: Dr. Ford thinks I caused Natalie's illness? Then, please remind Ludwik, on the night Natalie was kidnapped, someone targeted her spine. That person wasn't me."

Whitney left. Parker, puzzled, muttered, "What does that mean?" As an outsider to Natalie's medical condition, Parker was unaware of the full story, only knowing of Whitney's pills causing Natalie's leukemia from what Ludwik had told him. Frowning, Parker's phone buzzed with a message from his informant. He headed back to the Lippet Group.

Ludwik had just finished a meeting. Lately, he had been at odds with the senior board member, Jarvis, putting the Lippet Group in a tight spot. Jarvis's under-the-table dealings with the Patrick Group had been cut off by Ludwik, bringing significant negative fallout. Everything was on a knife's edge.

Rubbing his temples, Ludwik looked up as Parker walked in, his expression darkening, "You didn't drive her home?"

"Does she even have a place in Empire City?" Parker strolled in, teasing, "Why not buy Whitney a house?"

Ludwik's face was expressionless, "I'd love to, if she'd accept it."

"If things go well, you'll be expecting another child in ten months. You'll definitely need a huge mansion to fit three kids," Parker said lightly.

Ludwik's stern eyes softened, and his eyebrows lifted slightly, "This time, I hope she gives me a daughter." But the mention of three children made him think of Sammy, and his sentimental mood vanished.

Parker knew what was on his mind, "As long as you keep giving Florence benefits and keep her close, Sammy will be safe for now."

Ludwik remained silent, which was precisely why he had agreed to the engagement. Parker continued, "Too bad Whitney doesn't understand your actions. I talked to her; she thinks you've betrayed her and your son."

"I know she hates me, hates me enough to even resent you. But who was it that discharged her from the hospital?"

Parker glanced at his chiseled features, not daring to make a sound for a moment. Ludwik guessed already, his mood darkening, "Bryce. Felix, go check what he's doing in Empire City. He's already been kicked out of the golf course deal. If he's got nothing to do, let's give him something to keep busy!"

His fierce gaze made Felix nod and leave to handle it. Parker looked at the man on the executive chair, surrounded by an icy aura, "Bryce seems to have found a backer, got himself a financial lifeline. He's taken over the unfinished building in the town square, planning to turn it into the new Lutz Group. Though he's no match for you, Ludwik, he's still not to be underestimated. Especially now that he's Whitney's pillar of strength. But don't worry, I've called Tiana. With Tiana coming to Empire City to keep Whitney company, Bryce will have far fewer opportunities."

"Thanks." Ludwik lit a cigarette, his posture straight and tall, glancing at his phone, knowing Whitney wouldn't reach out to him first. His brows furrowed, he sent a message to Danny and then said to Parker, "I'm really worried about Whitney self-medicating. She doesn't know she's pregnant, and that could be a real problem."