Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 985

After years of drifting and scheming, she thought she could leverage this piece of information to her advantage.

"The most precious thing to you has been snatched away by Florence! Ha, ha, ha..."

Elaine laughed mockingly, squinting her sinister eyes, "Do you even have a clue where Florence is? She's played a masterstroke, and in the end, you're not just risking losing Ludwik, but you'll be stripped of everything. Oh, the irony." "...What do you mean?" Her attempt to seem indifferent, as if about to divulge some crucial secret, left Whitney grappling for clues.

Yet, Whitney sensed Elaine's expression wasn't mere bluff.

Frowning, Whitney pondered, Florence stole something from her?

Elaine mentioned it was her most prized possession?

What could it be?

Her breath heavy, her hand shot out, gripping Elaine's throat, her patience worn thin, "What are you trying to say? What do you know about Florence?

Are you bluffing or is there truth to your words? Spit it out, or I swear I'll end you here and now!"

"Oh, go ahead, try me! Ashton won't let you off the hook!

Ha, if you had the guts, you would've dealt with me personally last night.

Too high and mighty to get your hands dirty, huh? Thought you'd have me kidnapped, limbs broken, and dumped in Savanterra, huh? Thought I'd die without a trace there, and you could wash your hands clean of it. Why would I let you and Parker strangle me without a fight!

I stabbed myself to bet on a chance, preferring to die here rather than be cast away to Savanterra, never to return!

Now, Ashton will cherish me even more, riddled with guilt. Whatever's going on between him and me is none of your business. Count your days, you'll soon be in over your head. Go back to your Emperor City!" Whitney's face faltered, what was she on about?

"What did Florence take from me?" she demanded, her grip tightening, her gaze turning icy.

Elaine's face turned a shade of deep purple under her grasp, yet she smirked, sealing her lips, "Let go, spare my life, and maybe, when I'm in the mood, I'll tell you.

Whitney, you've been had, and Florence is far from done!"

Elaine's hissing laugh, venomous as a snake's, sent chills down Whitney's spine.

She had no clue what Florence had done?

Wasn't Florence supposed to have vanished after Bryce's debacle?

If Florence had something incriminating, she wouldn't just flee.

It made no logical sense. What had she been deceived about?

In that moment... Whitney's mind was a whirlwind of confusion, when suddenly, Ludwik crossed her mind.

Ludwik's mysterious 'business trip' to Eurovoria... could it be connected to Florence's escape?

Her gaze shifted, fraught with suspicion. Her grip on Elaine's neck weakened amidst her turmoil.

Ding-a-ling-!

Suddenly, her phone rang inside her purse. Whitney was reluctant to answer, but a quick glance revealed it was Sammy calling! Whitney quickly let go of Elaine.

Elaine, gasping for air, looked as if she had seen a ghost...

Whitney, expressionless, blocked Elaine's path to the door, neither moving nor allowing Elaine any room to escape.

They stood, breaths mingling, as Whitney tilted her head to answer the call, steadying her breath, "Hello?"

"Mom! Are you still in Banyan City?"

"I am. What's up?" Whitney avoided addressing Sammy as her child in Elaine's presence.

Sammy, unaware of her situation and due to the urgency, got straight to the point, "Mom, I heard from Cherry that Mr. Doonan's situation is almost settled, and you've been a great help. Can you come back to Emperor City now? Danny and I need you!"

"What happened?" Whitney sensed something amiss from his tone and clenched her phone tighter.

Sammy shared, "The day before yesterday, Danny and I were out, and it seemed like Bryce's men were tailing us."

"What? Didn't you tell your grandpa?" Whitney's face darkened with worry.

"I didn't want to worry him. Though the Lippert family has plenty of bodyguards, they're not enough. With Ashton and Mr. Doonan away, I'm feeling uneasy.

Also, Dad contacted me from Eurovoria!

He said he couldn't reach you and seemed anxious. His voice... it sounded like he was hurt? Mom, you should get in touch with him soon!"

Whitney, both anxious and angry, couldn't believe Ludwik was injured and finally reached out, only to blame her unreachable phone.

Her phone had always been on... but with the chaos over the past week over Tiana, she might have missed his calls.

Sammy's words heightened Whitney's worry.

Was Bryce still a looming threat?

With Ashton and Parker still in Banyan City, she must rush back to Emperor City to ensure her children's safety. She couldn't afford to stay any longer.

Especially now, after encountering Elaine, who ominously hinted at Florence's involvement, leaving Whitney bewildered.

"I'll be there soon, don't worry," Whitney reassured her son, deeply concerned for their safety.

After hanging up, her brows furrowed in thought. Elaine, possibly eavesdropping or guessing from Whitney's reactions, chuckled ominously, "See, I was right. You've got your own mess to clean up!

Bryce, Florence, one after another, and here you are, dealing with me. Isn't it a bit much? Better hurry back to your Emperor City, or you'll truly regret it!"

Throughout, she remained evasive, unwilling to reveal anything further.

Whitney had no patience for being manipulated, wondering what on earth Florence had done. She was skeptical but knew she wouldn't find any answers until she returned to Emperor City. Plus, Ludwik had finally managed to get in touch with his family; she needed to head back immediately.

And to think, Bryce had been tailing her child...

Whitney couldn't bear to stay a moment longer. She pocketed her phone, her gaze icy as she stared down at Elaine's listless face, "You might dodge the bullet today, but you can't hide forever. I don't have time to deal with you right now, but don't think you're off the hook. If you dare mess with Ashton's family, Parker will be the first to come after you!

Better pack your bags and leave Banyan City while you can, and don't wait for me to come back and settle the score."

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she swiftly booked a flight back to Emperor City, leaving the hospital room in a hurry.

Left alone, Elaine deflated back onto the bed like a punctured balloon, her facade of composure crumbling away. She clenched her fingers, relieved to have hooked Whitney with the secret about Florence.

For now, Whitney's focus would be elsewhere, not on her.

So, during this brief reprieve, she had to quickly recover and strengthen herself, making sure to secure her place beside Ashton...

A calculating gleam flickered in her dark eyes. If she could become Mrs. Fuller and find a way to deal with Endora, who was locked away, Elaine felt she could finally relax. Without any evidence, no one would be able to touch her!