Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 536

Myra nodded and voiced her concerns, "I see how Ryan is around Sammy; he's quite fond of him. Now that he's finally had the surgery, we can't let Sammy near Ryan anymore. He's got Ryan wrapped around his little finger."

"With all those bodyguards watching him, and given his surgery and asthma, he won't get far!" Florence wasn't worried about controlling Sammy. She turned, squinting slightly, "I asked you to keep an eye on Whitney. What's she been up to today?" "She visited her father's hospital, then contacted executives at her company in Banyan City. She also had Sandy book a hotel meeting room. It looks like she's hosting a company meeting tomorrow."

Florence's lips curved into a smirk, "As long as she steps out of Ludwik's watchful eye, that's our chance. A meeting? They'll be having lunch, won't they?"

Myra understood Ms. Sheldon's implication.

-

The next day.

At 10 am, Tiana picked up Nyx and several executives from Skye Gem Ltd. at the airport. Meanwhile, Whitney and Sandy went to Lippert Group's legal department to finalize the payment for the golf course land purchase, including the remaining three hundred million and the ten million in medical bills Ludwik had paid for Hudson.

By the time Ludwik got wind of it, Whitney had already taken care of everything and quickly left the Lippert Group's premises. His brows furrowed, his handsome face shadowed with concern, he chastised Felix, "It's sweltering outside, and she shouldn't be running around. Couldn't the legal department have gone to her?"

"Mr. Lippert, Ms. Valentine declined my offer. She... doesn't want any private dealings with you," Felix replied, clearly frustrated.

Ludwik's mood darkened further as he slumped into his executive chair, "Do you think she's still upset about me spending that evening with Florence?"

Felix thought Ms. Valentine had completely given up on Mr. Lippert. But seeing Mr. Lippert cling to that hope, he comforted, "Perhaps, if Ms. Valentine is angry, it might mean she still cares about your infidelity."

"Does that mean she might still care about me?" Ludwik looked up, his deep eyes searching for answers.

Felix sighed internally, Mr. Lippert's careful optimism heartbreaking even to him. But Ms. Valentine's disdain and indifference were crystal clear.

"Mr. Lippert, maybe you should give Ms. Valentine some space. She doesn't want to see you, privately or professionally. Don't push her too hard."

Ludwik massaged his temples, wondering if he'd been too persistent. Every encounter lately had ended in arguments.

"Keep an eye on her company's affairs from the sidelines, help her out quietly where you can. And keep tabs on the Sheldon Group, especially Hugh's movements. Let me know if she needs anything."

Felix nodded, understanding the weight on Mr. Lippert's shoulders, all the while knowing Ms. Valentine no longer cared for him.

Felix inquired, "Should we still send lunch over to Ms. Valentine today? She seems to have arranged a meeting for Skye Gem Ltd.'s executives at a hotel; she might not eat alone."

Recalling the morning when she tossed the insulated food container into the trash right in front of him, Ludwik's mood sank further, "Send it. Even if she refuses to eat, have Tiana keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't drink."

-

At the hotel, 1 pm.

Whitney successfully led the Skye

Gem Ltd. executive meeting, with unanimous agreement to convert the golf course into a Skye Gem Ltd. processing plant. Her spirits were high. They even set a moving date for Skye Gem Ltd. to Emperor City and secured temporary office space.

After the meeting, the executives dined in the hotel's banquet hall. Nyx and the others had to rush back to Banyan City after lunch.

Tiana approached Whitney, "My mom's old illness has flared up; I need to head back to Banyan City today, conveniently with Nyx. I'll sort out some family stuff, should be back in a week."

"Is it serious?" Whitney inquired, "Go, and don't worry about the duration. I'll look after Cherry for you. And, if you have time, could you check on Natalie for me?"

"You're still tangled up with Ludwik, treating his mom like your own!" Tiana teased.

"It's not about him. I need updates on Natalie's spinal condition."

"Ludwik surely keeps an eye on his mother's condition. I'm worried about you, though. With me gone, you'll be alone with two kids. Can you manage?" Whitney pulled out her phone, "There's a male bodyguard in the villa. If you're worried, I'll hire a nanny right now to help with the kids."

"That way, you can focus on your work, and Sandy's there to assist you too."

Tiana felt reassured, had lunch, and then left with Nyx for the airport, back to Banyan City. Whitney, having settled the bill, was about to leave when a sudden sharp pain struck her upper stomach. Rushing to the bathroom, she was hit by bouts of Vomiting and diarrhea.

From a shadowy corner of the banquet hall, a figure slipped away to make a call, "Myra, per your instructions, I added something to Ms. Valentine's dish. She's now suffering from vomiting and diarrhea." The call ended abruptly.

Whitney stumbled out of the bathroom, feeling as if she'd left a layer of herself behind. She couldn't tell if it was the diner's lunch special that had betrayed her, or if her chronic stomach issues were flaring up again. With symptoms of nausea and unbearable cramps gripping her, she'd tried some over-the-counter antacids, but relief seemed like a distant dream.

Deciding not to take any chances, Whitney left her hotel and drove to the nearest hospital.

In the emergency department of the Community Health Center, Dr. Parker welcomed Whitney, conducting a preliminary checkup before suggesting a blood test to assess her white blood cell count. Whitney agreed, having just downed a bottle of Pepto-Bismol in hopes of some relief.

As Dr. Parker drew blood from her arm, he inquired, "If it turns out to be a stomach infection, we might recommend IV antibiotics. You don't have any allergies or conditions that would prevent us from using them, do you?" Whitney thought for a moment. She had no known allergies to medications, "I'm generally healthy, antibiotics should be fine."

Dr. Parker gave her a long look, nodded, and walked away.

A short while later, Dr. Parker

entered an office. Dr. Karen Ryan was looking out the window at the fading evening. He held the blood test results in his hand, "Ms. Sheldon," he began, using Whitney's last name, "Dr. Ryan, the blood tests confirm she's pregnant! About fifteen days, judging by the stable HCG levels. And she's unaware of her pregnancy. She even mentioned she's okay with antibiotics."

Dr. Ryan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a flicker of concern passing through them as she turned to face Parker.

Parker looked uneasy, the weight of the news pressing down on him, "I understand what needs to be done, Ms. Sheldon."