Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 403

Ella gasped, "Miss, you're so frail, this could kill you."

"It's alright, I really wanted to help Mr. Lippert's mother. It's just... after Mr. Lippert saved me in that alley, I fell for him at first sight. So, I had a selfish little request..."

The girl shyly raised her head, her gaze timid as a fawn.

Ludwik frowned.

She hurriedly added, bitterly, "Mr. Lippert, don't feel burdened. Liking you is my business! If Mr. Lippert can be a good boyfriend and fiancé, keep me warm, and let me experience true love, I'd die with no regrets." Ludwik somewhat understood her point.

He set his terms, "I can give you the status of a boyfriend or fiancé, the care and protection you're asking for. But, my heart, and anything more intimate, I can't. I won't be able to fall in love with you, I hope you understand."

Florence clearly understood. He was willing to play the perfect boyfriend, but he was offering only an empty shell, all fake warmth and affection. But it didn't matter. Time was on her side, and with her charm and strategies, she was sure she could win his heart from Whitney!

The girl smiled happily, "Having Mr. Lippert dote on me is enough for me."

"Do you have any other requests?" he asked.

"Yes." Florence said pitifully, "I want the donation of marrow and blood to be kept a secret from the public. My family doesn't know about my terminal illness; they think I'm just frail. If they found out about my donations, they'd be heartbroken." Ludwik nodded in agreement.

A young girl bearing a terminal illness? The man felt a faint sense of pity.

Dr. Johnson asked, "Miss Florence, how are you feeling? We need a full understanding to prepare for the blood transfusion and your care."

Florence nodded, looking at her doctor.

The doctor stepped forward, gravely, "Miss's condition is dire. She shouldn't be risking her life with a blood transfusion, but I couldn't dissuade her... Her terminal condition is a heart issue. Any excitement could induce coughing fits and fainting. If she's to donate marrow, she must be well looked after and kept happy."

Ludwik looked at the girl before him as though she were a precious resource.

Having taken her life, he naturally would hold up his end of the bargain.

The man nodded, his eyes void of emotion, "Starting today, I'll look after you, be the 'boyfriend' you want."

"Great, fiancé!" The girl's smile pierced Ludwik, reminding him vaguely of Whitney. The girls were alike.

Ludwik was taken aback, seeing in her the innocence and cuteness Whitney had before any harm had touched her.

Ludwik glanced at his watch, standing up to discuss, "Florence, I have a meeting at ten, shall I take you home first? Here's my card, Ludwik. Call me if you need anything."

"Ludwik, may I call you that?" the girl asked gently.

Ludwik frowned, averse to such intimacy from other women, but he agreed nonetheless.

"Can I also reach out to chat anytime?" she asked hopefully.

That was part of being a 'boyfriend,' so Ludwik nodded.

Outside the café, he escorted her to his car, driving her to the Garden Hotel, then he raised an eyebrow, "You're not from Banyan City?"

The girl's eyes slightly misted, smiling softly, "No, my home is in Emperor City. I came here quietly... to seek treatment. Actually, dating you was also to reject a marriage arrangement my family made. I don't want wealth or power, just to spend the rest of my life with someone I love. So, I'll bring you home to meet my parents soon, alright?"

Ludwik was silent for a moment, then agreed.

And he was preparing to visit Emperor City anyway.

-

As the Bentley left the Garden Hotel, Ludwik, eyes closed, instructed, "Felix, dig up some information on her."

Felix looked at Mr. Lippert complexly, remembering the sacrifices for Natalie, and how he and Whitney... Felix dared not speak further, recalling the desolation in Mr. Lippert at the hospital, a side of him unseen before. Florence retracted her gaze, contemplative.

Myra approached with a changed expression, "Miss Florence, Jared arrived in Banyan City today, presumably..."

Florence's laugh cooled, "For an illegitimate daughter, my father is indeed impatient."

"It's fine, Mr. Lippert is my boyfriend now. Before my father finds out, we'll pack up and return to Emperor City." Myra smirked, their plan was in motion.

"The Sheldon family has no sons, the master must've thought of your frailty in handling such a large estate... He wanted to bring back the illegitimate daughter, keeping the 'Miss' title for her since she's older than you. It's truly unfair to you." Florence's lips held a pale smile, undisturbed.

-

In the office.

Felix, frowning, replied, "Mr. Lippert, there's not much on this girl. Even her surname is hard to trace, like it's being intentionally hidden. But she is indeed from out of town, coming to Banyan City only to seek treatment." Ludwik narrowed his eyes. In the café, he'd noticed her reluctance to share her surname. He had sensed it was related to her family background, perhaps wealthy, wary of others.

The man pinched the bridge of his nose, "As long as she's not complicated. No need to dig deeper. To me, she's a valuable resource."

Felix understood.

-

In the cemetery of Banyan City.

Whitney placed a bouquet gently in front of her mother Parisa's tombstone, asking for her blessing to keep Sammy safe.

The rain had stopped, leaving the sky clear and blue.

Whitney slowly stood up, turning to her uncle, "Uncle Torin, shall we head down the mountain?"

Just then, Torin spun around suddenly-

At the bottom of the steps of the hill, the figure of a tall, middle-aged man emerged, his stride confident as he ascended. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he exuded an air of distinguished grace.

His face, framed by distinguished eyebrows and adorned with laughter lines, hinted at the handsome features of his youth. An aura of refined nobility seemed to emanate from him.

Whitney, taken aback, turned around, her curiosity piqued as she met the man's profound gaze.

Beside her, Keegan let out a sharp intake of breath, "Whitney!"

Called out unexpectedly, Whitney's senses heightened, sensing something amiss. She eyed the man with curiosity, yet with politeness, she inquired, "Uncle, who is this?"

The middle-aged man's gaze surged with emotion as he quickly approached her, his eyes flickering with confusion, excitement, sorrow, and nostalgia.

Hudson's eyes glistened with moisture, "My child, I'm your biological father. You've grown so much, you look so much like your mother." Whitney stiffened.

It was as if lightning struck her mind, leaving her startled and astonished.

She knew she had a biological father; Torin had mentioned him before, but she hadn't paid much attention, nor had she thought about seeking him out. Never had she imagined her father would find her so soon.