Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 677

Jarvis kicked back a chair and slumped into it, his gaze sharp as he locked eyes with Florence. "Spill it."

With a careful glance at the door to ensure they were alone, Florence closed it tightly before approaching Jarvis. Her hand slowly caressed her belly as she began to reveal her secret, "Nolan, everyone thinks that Ludwik and I had a drunken one-night stand, and I got pregnant with his child. Yes, this child is indeed of Ludwik's flesh and blood... But it's not of mine."

Jarvis's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, failing to grasp her meaning instantly. But when he did, his usually cool demeanor shifted to one of astonishment, "What the hell are you talking about? Make it clear! His seed but not yours? How is that even possible?" "It's Whitney's child," Florence said, her voice soft yet chillingly cold as she saw Jarvis's interest pique.

Jarvis took a deep breath and stood up, a laugh escaping him. "Really now?"

He laughed heartily, "This is damn intriguing."

"Florence, you're impressive. How did you manage this?"

With a hand over her flat belly, hiding the dread she felt from his intense stare, Florence shared her dark tale. "Nolan, you might not know, but I've always been fascinated with the bizarre and the taboo. I have a lab with some experts in forbidden surgeries. The embryo was transferred from Whitney's womb to mine."

"Damn."

Jarvis lit a cigarette, his opinion of Florence's malevolence reaching new heights. "What a venomous woman, stealing someone's child, and even an embryo transfer at that. Whitney and Ludwik really met their match."

He gave a cold chuckle, "This is an unbelievable tale, but who's to say you're not making this up? Embryo transfer? Even if I'm no medical expert, I know there's no such thing in the world."

"You're a man; just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"And how do you prove this child is Whitney's?" Jarvis challenged.

Florence had anticipated this question and had already conspired with Holly on a strategy. "All I need is to go to the hospital for an amniocentesis to prove it," Florence said with a sip, "But after I prove it to you, Jarvis, would you consider marrying me?" "Marry you? For what, telling me this secret? I could turn around and spill everything to Ludwik. By then, you, Ms. Sheldon, might find yourself in a world of trouble," Jarvis scoffed, clearly unenthused.

Florence raised an eyebrow, "Ludwik is too busy to bother with me right now. Besides, if I dared to reveal my hand to Nolan, I'm not afraid of you telling Ludwich or Whitney. Because you won't. You loathe Ludwik too much to do him any favors. And telling Whitney is as good as telling Ludwik." Jarvis, expressionless, stood up, "I have no interest in raising Ludwik's bastard. I'm curious, though, why keep this burden and not get rid of it?"

"I want this child to become a weapon for you in the future!" Florence said, trying to please.

After being recently ousted from the Sheldon Group by Whitney, her initial instinct was to rid herself of this trouble! But Holly convinced her of the child's potential usefulness. It could serve as a bargaining chip in seeking Jarvis's assistance. "Oh, a weapon for me?" Jarvis sneered, "You think I'd make such a losing deal?"

"Nolan, you would." Florence confidently retorted, "Despite how badly you've beaten Ludwik now, deep down, you're wary he might rise again. As long as he lives, you feel threatened. If you marry me, and a few months later, I give birth to this child, wouldn't you have Ludwik by the throat? This is his and Whitney's flesh and blood. He loves Whitney so much, once he learns the truth, this child could be your best weapon. Eventually, it'll prove most useful. Keeping it means being prepared. The condition, though, is marrying me, offering me status, and aligning with me."

Florence laid out her proposition in one breath.

It was a tempting offer indeed; the child could become a significant leverage for him. If Ludwik hadn't been so in love with Whitney to the point of abandoning everything for her, causing the downfall of the Lippert family, Jarvis pondered. "You're a despicable creature, full of schemes. How did the Sheldon family ever produce someone as dark as you? No wonder, you're just like your manipulative father. Not at all like Whitney, a true lady," Jarvis mocked. Florence's face turned a shade of green with humiliation.

She understood that getting close to Jarvis meant dealing with a man as venomous as a snake. No matter how repulsed she was by him, she had to endure. Only through this could she regain her stature and seek revenge on Whitney. "Nolan, what's your decision? This deal doesn't put you at a loss."

Jarvis laughed coldly, "Bring me a paternity test first, then we'll talk."

"Thank you, Nolan. I'll head to the hospital right away."

As she watched Jarvis's retreating figure, Florence clenched her fists. She had succeeded. Her rise was imminent.

-

Meanwhile, as Thea and Wade approached the room that was priced at a staggering two billion-

They found it empty.

The tea on the table remained untouched, only a cup of hot water had been slightly consumed next to a piece of chewing gum wrapper.

Thea picked up the wrapper, frowning; what kind of wealthy individual chews children's gum?

"Sorry, Mr. Patrick, the buyer has already left. However, it seems his associates are still finalizing things with the auction house manager," the attentive cleaner informed Wade. Wade signaled, and his assistant immediately went to follow up.

Thea furrowed her brows, her voice icy, "Wade, who's trying to show you up this badly? Dropping a cool two hundred billion just to flaunt. Find out who it is and teach them a lesson!" "There's no one within our borders brazen enough to offend me like this. It must be... someone from abroad?"

Wade's face was stormy, his expression grim. To him, someone challenging him publicly, especially after he had issued a warning, was akin to a slap in the face.

He had just claimed the top spot in Harmonia Country's elite families, even humiliating Jason in the process.

Two hundred billion. Clearly, someone was trying to line Jason's pockets.

The Lippert estate, at most, was worth a hundred billion.

Who could be so bold as to openly support the Lippert family?

As Wade turned, he saw Jason hurrying over in his wheelchair, evidently on the same quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious buyer.

But upon seeing Wade and Thea, Jason's face twisted in disgust.

That look of loathing from Jason cut Thea deeply.