Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 903

She was staying at a hotel not too far from Inko.

The hotel was designed in a medieval European style typical of Eurovoria, not very tall, leaving her neck aching and her expression somber.

It had been a week since she'd smuggled herself into Germinia.

But progress was slim.

All she knew was the woman's name, Miss Tennyson, whose age and appearance confirmed she was Whitney's biological mother. However, Florence couldn't get close to her.

Inko's security was tight, barring entry to anyone not employed there. Florence could only watch as a sleek black Lincoln ferried the woman to and from work.

It seemed she led a life of routine, moving between two points. Florence had tried to follow her, hoping to discover where she lived.

The result only frustrated her further.

The woman was exceedingly wealthy, living in a manor in the north, its grounds under surveillance miles out. Florence couldn't set foot on her property.

The woman appeared unmarried, without children in this place, always alone. Her solitary silhouette and the cold, unapproachable profile she presented made Florence both wary and intimidated. This task was far from the simple act of recognition Bryce had painted it to be.

Scratching her head in vexation, she didn't know how to win the woman's trust.

Moreover, being a stranger here and heavily pregnant, Florence regretted accepting this task.

Now, with Whitney having reshuffled the deck back in Emperor City for the Sheldon family, she had nowhere else to turn.

This woman, seemingly amnesiac about her past life, was Florence's last chance at redemption!

She gritted her teeth in frustration, directing a punch at her belly, "Move, why do you move, Whitney's wretched spawn? If not for your utility, I'd end you right here."

The maid accompanying her gasped in shock at Ms. Sheldon's harsh side profile, feeling sorry for the unborn child, innocent and yet to be born into the Sheldon lineage.

"Go, fetch me some ice water!" Florence snapped, annoyed at the maid's sympathetic look.

The maid took a few steps before the smartphone on the carved cabinet rang.

"Ms. Sheldon, your call, it's Mr. Lutz."

Bryce?

Florence's expression soured further, her grievances ready to spill.

"Hello, Mr. Lutz..." Despite her anger, she greeted him with a feigned sweetness.

Bryce's voice was tense, "You've been in Germinia for a week, any progress? Didn't you meet that woman?"

"I did," Florence cooled, "But she's the Inko Group's chairwoman, high-ranking, with the company heavily guarded. Her residence is a lavish estate miles devoid of neighbors. How am I supposed to approach her and claim kinship?" "Are you that ineffectual?" Bryce was impatient with her complaints, his voice laden with anger, "Florence, where's that cunning of yours? I've placed you so close to her, and you can't think of anything?" "Bryce, I am thinking! But this woman lives alone, no husband, no children, only a male assistant like some secret agent. Do you think she'll just believe I'm her daughter if I approach her out of the blue? I'm not marching to my death!

If I can't succeed in one go, I'm as good as dead.

You're safe back home, losing nothing more than a pawn if I die here!"

Realizing her volatility, Bryce had to suppress his anger, softening his tone, "Florence, you're my treasure, my last chance at a comeback. I can't push you towards death.

But you need to hurry. Ludwik has already landed in Eurovoria tonight.

He's coming for you!"

The revelation drained the color from Florence's face.

Bryce inhaled sharply, his tone darkening, "How did that bastard get the information so fast? He'll trace the flight you took from Frankeston and the fake passport you used.

You must win over that woman and secure her trust before he finds you.

It's the only way for both of us to turn the tables.

Otherwise, if Ludwik learns about that woman's existence and her wealth, it's unthinkable.

Can you imagine our fate then?!"

Florence felt a tightrope in her mind stretched to its limit, ready to snap under her racing heart's strain.

Ludwik was moving fast....

Damn it.

She was running out of time!

She had to quickly devise a plan to 'recognize' the woman without arousing suspicion, "Enough! Bryce, I'm thinking... Yes, her ever-present male assistant, I've been watching him for days."

"Got an idea?" Bryce pressed, his voice laced with darkness.

Florence's gaze hardened on her stirring belly, a ruthless glint passing through her eyes, "No pain, no gain. I'll have to use this little curse inside me. If it dies, don't mourn it. We don't lack cards to play against Ludwik; I've been sick of it for a while!" "What are you planning?" Bryce hesitated.

Florence steeled herself, "I've got a plan. It'll make that woman notice me at first glance, leaving a lasting impression for what comes next."

"Do it!" Bryce blurted out.

After hanging up, his eyes narrowed, contemplative as he stared at the smoldering cigarette in his hand. Through the swirling smoke, he coldly ordered his underlings, "Contact those shadowing Florence. Leak some false leads, keep Ludwik chasing his tail." Ludwik was undoubtedly searching for his child, perhaps even suspecting something about Florence.

They couldn't let him discover Whitney's mother was still alive and incredibly wealthy.

Let him search the vastness of Eurovoria.

-

Dawn was breaking over Frank Airport.

The assistant returned with a stack of passenger information.

Ludwik, having spent the night in wait, lifted his bloodshot eyes, "What's the status? Which Asian passengers used fake passports?"

"Mr. Lippert, we've identified these ten individuals. They're Asian female passports, ages 20-30, fitting Florence's profile."

Ludwik furrowed his brow as he flipped through the stack of fake passports. The connecting flights were all over the map.

Some were bound for the Netherlands, others to Amoria Country, and a few to Germinia.

"Florence is pregnant. Among these ten fake passports, there has to be one that got special attention. Who is it?"

His assistant, taken aback, quickly searched through the information and responded, "Yes! The one going to Germinia is registered for a pregnant woman, upgraded to first class." Ludwik immediately stood up, "We're heading to Germinia."

However, just as he took a few steps, he felt an ominous twitch in his right eye. It was as if a bad premonition was looming over him.

He felt a tightness in his chest, his thoughts consumed with worry for his unborn child...

Resting in Florence's belly, amidst the long nights filled with dreams, he hoped it wasn't facing any danger.

With a deep, cold furrow in his brow, Ludwik muttered, "Germinia... I'll turn the world upside down to find Florence."

-

In Emperor City, it was an early morning, and Tiana was just getting ready for work when her phone rang out of the blue.

It was a call from back home in Banyan City, from her mother, Celine. Tiana was startled for a moment but quickly answered, "Mom-"