Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 496

Hudson hesitated for a moment before turning to Whitney in a low voice, "Look, Whitney, forget about the basement for a sec, and what's with the flowers. Florence said she's clueless, plus, the kids aren't here in the mansion. Maybe you got it wrong?"

He really didn’t want to think the worst of Florence. Kidnapping Whitney's child, that's just evil!

Whitney felt cornered. Without Sammy, she couldn’t prove her case. The handkerchief and the basement's layout might seem like clutching at straws to Hudson. Florence could easily deny everything—the handkerchief wasn’t custom-made for her, she didn’t plant the flowers, she knew nothing about the basement. She could deflect all the blame since proof would take time and some things might never be verified!

She stared at Florence, "Dad, I'm not mistaken. Whoever took my child will face karma! This mansion is so eerie, let's seal it off. No one touches anything inside! Dad, you might want to see for yourself, how 'thoughtfully' she has renovated it. Maybe then you'll see her in a new light."

Whitney's gaze was sharp as a blade as it swept over Florence. Without finding Sammy, she didn’t linger. Taking Danny by the hand, she left the mansion.

-

Exiting the Sheldon family’s grand hallway, Ludwik just caught the tail end of Parker's recount. The man's sculpted features tightened, breath quickening, his knuckles turning white. Ludwik's gaze was fixed on the Sheldon mansion. Seeing Whitney emerge with Danny but without Sammy, his eyelids drooped, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Sammy wasn’t found in there?!" Parker was surprised. With the car window down, Whitney caught Ludwik's eye. His face was pale and weak. She looked away.

Parker leaned out, "What’s going on?" Whitney just shook her head slightly at Parker. Her brows furrowed with fatigue and cold resolve, and she got into her car with Danny. Minutes after Whitney drove off, Ludwik turned his car around, trailing behind Whitney's.

-

Upstairs in the Sheldon Mansion, Holly peeked out of the window, then rushed to Florence's vanity, exclaiming, "Florence! Myra said Ludwik was at the Sheldon family's gate. He never came in. I just saw Whitney leave with that brat. She didn’t talk to him, but his car lingered before following Whitney. Parker was with him; he’s probably going to spill everything to Ludwik!"

"You better figure something out, don't let Ludwik suspect you're behind Sammy's disappearance!"

Florence’s mood darkened, tossing the handkerchief onto the floor, "That damn handkerchief caused all this trouble. I barely convinced dad about that clutter room. Today’s mess… we can’t hide it from Ludwik."

After a moment of thought, she looked up sharply, "I already crossed swords with Ludwik back in Banyan City. Mom, playing the damsel in distress won’t work anymore. No matter what Ludwik thinks, Whitney didn’t find Sammy here. And I’ve learned that Natalie's surgery has been moved up a month. I now have the upper hand, why not be upfront and renegotiate terms…"

A cold smile played on her lips as she shed any pretense of vulnerability, her mind working overtime. Holly smirked, "If playing the victim won't win him over, maybe it's time for a new strategy."

Exiting her daughter's room, Holly quietly entered a guest room where Hugh sat in a wheelchair, staring blankly at her. Approaching, she leaned into him, her eyes cold, "Florence and I are at a disadvantage. Even with your mom blocking the divorce, Hudson will kick me out! We need to move our plan forward…"

Hugh stroked her hair, "Yeah."

-

Whitney needed a moment to calm her thoughts. Why would Florence kidnap Sammy? Was it during their time in Banyan City, under Elaine’s watch? What was her motive so early on? Then it clicked for Whitney. Florence aimed to drive a wedge between her and Ludwik from the start! She succeeded! Everything was part of Florence's elaborate scheme, step by step…

Whitney felt a cold sweat on her forehead. Back at the hotel, she settled a tired and sad Danny before her doorbell rang. Opening the door, she found Parker and Ludwik, the latter supported by the former.

Parker spoke up, "Ms. Valentine, Hank has been controlled by Ludwik, and the kidnapper has been caught. Maybe you two should talk."