Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 502

"I need you to understand the gravity of your situation. If you don't come clean, you're going to regret it," Whitney stood imposingly in front of her, an air of authority surrounding her. "You're under house arrest, essentially a prisoner in your own home. Sammy isn't your bargaining chip anymore. I know who took him, and so does Ludwik."

"You think I'm going to let you run to Ludwik, claiming I conspired with Florence to hide Sammy? That's absurd!"

"You're spouting nonsense! I've told you, I have no idea how Sammy disappeared."

Elaine was acutely aware that without Sammy's whereabouts as leverage, she was worthless to Ludwik. He would personally see to her end. She was desperate for a way out.

Whitney leaned closer, her grip tightening on Elaine's hair. "I don't want excuses. I want to know what happened that night. How did you lose Sammy? And what about Natalie? Was she taken too?"

Elaine, her thoughts in turmoil, clenched her teeth. "Even if it kills me, all I can say is my people initially took Natalie and Sammy to that old villa in the hills. Then, out of nowhere, they tell me Sammy's gone."

"Do you think we didn't search for him? I looked all night! I have no clue who intercepted your son and Natalie. As for Florence, I don’t even know her! Whatever enemies you and Ludwik have made, they're playing their games behind the scenes, taking advantage of the situation."

"And you never met the person who took Sammy?"

"Never!" Indeed, Elaine had only guessed that Florence might be behind the abduction.

Sifting through her words, Whitney shifted focus, "You mentioned Natalie was intercepted too?"

Thinking Whitney was buying her story, Elaine nodded quickly. "Natalie and Sammy disappeared together. But while Sammy remained missing, Natalie was returned."

Whitney frowned, her hand moving to Elaine's throat, squeezing tightly. "How long was Natalie gone?"

"I—I think... about four hours?"

"And her condition upon return?"

"I don't know..."

"Think!"

Choking, Elaine's fear of Whitney escalated. "My guys told me she was unconscious, lips turned blue like she was poisoned, but still breathing. I wanted to rush to the villa, but you and Ludwik were already on it. I panicked and fled back to Banyan City."

Doubtful of Elaine's statements, Whitney pressed on without giving her a moment to breathe. "Did you harm Natalie? Like injecting something into her spine?"

"I... I didn't! Once I sensed Ludwik's suspicion, I was scared of her dying. There was no time for that."

Whitney narrowed her eyes. Her mention of mistreatment was deliberate, and Elaine's denial told her if there had been any spinal injections, Elaine's reaction wouldn't be so surprised.

"So, Natalie's ordeal during those four hours could have been in Florence's hands. She had enough time to do something to Natalie, like injecting her spine with some chemical or poison."

A chilling thought crossed Whitney's mind. What if Natalie's sudden illness was premeditated?