Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 541

Four days had passed.

Whitney's bleeding had stopped, and the pain in her lower back had vanished as well. This was not part of her regular cycle. She attributed it to hormonal imbalance and decided to seek treatment at a different hospital, where she was prescribed some herbal supplements to help regulate her system.

As she left, the hospital's legal department reached out to her, informing her that they had found the personal information of the anesthesiologist who had administered her general anesthesia. Whitney was skeptical of this outcome. Could the hospital, under pressure, have simply found a scapegoat?

Accompanied by her son Danny, Whitney went to the hospital to meet the anesthesiologist, a middle-aged man with unremarkable features. She could not recall if this was the same man who had been part of her procedure days ago, as she had quickly been sedated and lost consciousness. Though it seemed like the matter was resolved on the surface, Whitney still felt unsettled.

"Mommy, was it here that you had the stomach check-up that day? They didn't take good care of you?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, there was a bit of a medical mishap," Whitney replied, holding her son under the shade of a gazebo in the hospital's garden. Suddenly, she remembered a dream about Sammy.

Rising to her feet, she took Danny's hand and said, "Danny, how about we look for someone in the hospital?"

"Who are we looking for?"

"Let's look for Sammy."

Danny froze, his eyes moistening. "Do you think Sammy is here, Mommy? Why do you feel that way?"

"I can't explain it; it was just a dream. But let's try our luck. If you and Sammy have a connection, maybe you'll sense his presence here."

"Then let's hurry!"

Sammy had been missing for a month, and Danny missed him dearly, praying for his well-being every day. He knew his parents were trying to find a way to deal with Florence, the vile seductress, but he didn't want to miss any opportunity.

The mother and son duo searched through the floors of the hospital, clinging to a sliver of hope. Some private rooms were off-limits to strangers. After searching every accessible room, Whitney faced the same outcome as before. Crouching down, she asked Danny, "You didn't feel anything, did you?"

"It doesn't seem like Sammy is here. If he were, he would have sensed me and cried out for help," Danny said, touching his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat.

Disappointed, Whitney and Danny left the hospital. As they did, a pair of sad, dark eyes watched them go from behind the window of a heavily guarded room on an upper floor.

Sammy, controlled and confined, had decided not to run. After witnessing his mother on the operating table and the unknown actions of Dr. Ryan and Florence, he chose to stay and uncover the truth, to protect his mother from danger.

A week later, Nyx had finalized all the asset procedures for Skye Gem Ltd. in Banyan City, while Whitney had completed the rental arrangements for a temporary office in Emperor City. Skye Gem Ltd.'s physical address officially moved to the heart of Emperor City. Following a major restructuring months earlier, Whitney had become the sole major shareholder of Skye Gem Ltd., eliminating any dissent among shareholders.

"I've persuaded over a hundred of the company's core staff members for you, Ms. Valentine. They will soon be relocating to Emperor City to begin work. Skye Gem Ltd.'s entry into the Emperor City market is just a matter of time," one of her associates informed her. "Whitney, make sure the first deal for your company is with the Lutz Group! Let's plan a grand event to showcase the jewels to the Emperor City elite and see how it impacts sales," Bryce suggested, having come to attend the opening ceremony of Skye Gem Ltd. The office was bustling with activity all morning.

At lunch, Whitney treated all the old

staff and executives to a feast at a grand restaurant. During the meal, people encouraged her to drink in celebration. As Whitney was about to raise her glass, Tiana stepped in to takethe drink on her behalf. "As your chief decision-maker, how can Ms. Valentine be hindered by mere alcohol? Her minute is worth tens of thousands. Here, I'll drink with you all until we're all thoroughly drunk!" Tiana said, pushing Whitney back to her seat.

Whitney was perplexed by Tiana's insistence on not letting her drink lately. Just then, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, her expression shifted. She excused herself to a quiet corner before answering. "Cody?"

"Boss, I can't stay at the Sheldon Group any longer. Hugh finally handed me my walking papers today! He's made his move against me. Thankfully, you had the foresight to have me plant informants within the Sheldon Group's rank and file. I've failed the chairman..." Whitney's heart raced as she gripped her phone tighter. "Are there any of my father's loyalists left in the Sheldon Group?"

"None. Hugh has systematically

removed all of your father's loyalists, including me, under various pretexts. His ambitions are clear; in just two weeks, he's managed to sway the shareholders to his side. Your suspicions were correct; the Sheldon Group is now firmly under Hugh's control, with financial powers held by Holly's brother, Hank. This treacherous couple is purging the company to reshape it in their image. The business world is in shock over Hugh's maneuvering, calling him a dark horse who hid his capabilities too well. If Hugh continues to groom Florence and convinces Jared, the Sheldon family will no longer have a place for you or your father. It's heartbreaking to see the chairman's lifelong efforts come to this..."

Whitney closed her eyes briefly. "And Florence? How is she performing in the Sheldon Group?"

Cody let out a sigh, "She hasn't been coming to work much lately. I did some digging and heard she's been sick, staying at home to recuperate. At a crucial time like this, you'd think that even if she was ill, Hugh would have her come in to show off her capabilities in some partnership discussions." Whitney furrowed her brows. Florence resting at home? She didn't buy the illness act for a second. Florence had faked sickness before; for all Whitney knew, she could be as fit as a fiddle. So, what was she really up to at home?

Cody snapped Whitney out of her thoughts, "Miss, if you don't step into the company affairs soon, Hugh will have free reign..."

"I understand," Whitney replied. It was time to make a move against Hugh. The rumor she spread about her dad waking up within a month was a calculated move, but she knew Hugh might try something against her dad. Before that happened, she needed to get her hands on strands of hair from Florence and Hugh.

Another weekend, and Whitney came home late from work. Tiana caught up with her downstairs, "Natalie's transplant surgery is the day after tomorrow, you know that, right?"

Whitney paused, then nodded softly.

She had been keeping track of the date. Tiana looked into her bright, almond-shaped eyes, her brow

wrinkling in concern, "But Ludwik et

hasn't come back! His mother's spinal cord transplant surgery is happening, and there's no way he'd miss controlling Florence for it. Do you think something happened to him in Savanterra?"

In that moment, Whitney's heart skipped a beat. Ludwik had been abroad for a full fourteen days now, with no word of his return!