Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 989

Valerie was left with nothing but her newborn baby.

And the baby was sick...

"What's wrong with Valerie? Why aren't you speaking up?"

Ashton sensed a fleeting pain in Nolan's eyes and felt a bad premonition. His heart skipped a beat as he pressed for answers, "Nothing's happened to Valerie, has it? Why does her coming back mean Elaine has to leave? Nolan, tell me, what's going on? Is there something I don't know?"

"You don't deserve to know!" Nolan pushed him away, his eyes darkening with anger, "After all this time, you still can't let go of Elaine. Ashton, I hope one day you'll see just how blind and foolish you've been. To protect that wicked woman, what have you actually lost!" After his outburst, Nolan stormed into the old mansion.

Ashton's brows furrowed deeply, sensing there was more to Nolan's words.

He had rushed back home, visibly anxious. Was Valerie in some kind of trouble outside?

A sense of unease gripped him, and he turned to follow Nolan for answers.

Just then, his phone rang, the sharp tone piercing through the night. Seeing it was the hospital calling, Ashton hesitantly answered.

"Ashton, are you going to abandon me again? You said you'd catch that thug and come to see me. I... I didn't want to bother you, but the doctor said there's another critical condition notice that needs a family member's signature. Ashton, you know, I have no one else. I had to trouble you..."

Listening to Elaine's weak sobs, Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Why is there another critical condition notice?" he muttered.

"Whitney came by this morning, choked me, and I had to go through surgery again because my wound bled. I've just come out..."

"What?" Ashton's expression darkened.

"How are you now?"

"It's critical, so I need you to sign. Ashton, please don't leave me. I don't want to die alone..."

Elaine's voice faded, and the phone clattered to the floor.

"Elaine?" Ashton, hearing the crash, scowled deeply.

His gaze flickered back to the Fuller Mansion's gates and Nolan's retreating figure.

Yet, his steps led him outside, towards his car, to leave quickly.

Elaine had become a burden, weighing heavily on his heart, growing more and more irksome.

Frustrated, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind replaying the argument with his brother, revolving around Valerie. His chest ached dully at the thought of her aloof, delicate face.

He had never felt this pain for her before.

But gradually, the discomfort turned into a profound sense of loss, and now, thinking of Valerie filled him with irritation and resentment. He couldn't understand why she insisted on a divorce over a trivial matter. But the pain for her grew stronger, tormenting him.

He had to find her and demand answers!

With a storm brewing in his eyes, Ashton dialed the Fuller Mansion's servant, "Keep an eye on Nolan. If he leaves the Fuller family in the next couple of days, follow him!"

He was determined to find Valerie.

-

Inside the Fuller Mansion.

Nolan confronted Beckford Fuller right after dinner, and it didn't take long for an argument to erupt.

Nolan, young and hot-headed, his handsome features twisted in anger, "I'm just asking for my 20% share in the Fuller Group back! Even if Ashton controls the company, he has no right to take my shares! You and he are in cahoots, following his lead, freezing my assets and bank cards.

Are you trying to starve your own son to death? I'm a Fuller, for heaven's sake. Going out to dine and wine costs money!

Ashton lives in luxury, and I have nothing. Have you lost your mind?"

"Insolent! You ungrateful child," Beckford was furious, his mustache bristling.

He stood up abruptly, pointing at his rebellious second son, "Why do you think I froze your accounts and shares? Do you have no clue?

Nolan! Of all the women, why did you have to fall for your brother's wife?

Lacking in decency, you've been pestering Valerie, shaming the Fuller name.

If this gets out, which family in Banyan City would want their daughter to marry you? They'd all think you're a pervert!

Nolan, you can laze around all you want since the Fuller Group has your brother at the helm, but you need to get married right away.

You might think I'm unaware of your sneaking around with Valerie, but it's impossible between you two!

If your brother won't push you, I will.

Want money to spend? Come back, get married, have children, and all your shares and assets will be returned to you!"

"I urgently need a large sum of money, father! Will you give me my shares or not?"

"What do you need the money for?" Beckford glared at him. Nolan wasn't just some idle rich kid; he had his ways of making money, and his father knew it.

Nolan pursed his lips, avoiding the question, "Just return what's rightfully mine!"

"Why do you need so much money? Will you tell me or not?" Beckford sensed something was off, "What have you been doing outside? Have you found Valerie?"

"I'm begging you, will you give them to me or not?"

"What is it for?" The old man wouldn't back down.

"For saving someone."

Nolan's face was a mask of cold desperation, his urgency clear as he faced his father, words failing him, "If you don't give it to me, I believe you'll regret it even in your grave."

Grandpa Joe's face darkened, his mind racing with thoughts. Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to his second son, examining his expressions as if trying to dissect his thoughts. He then asked in a chilling tone, "What's going on with Valerie! Is it your sister-in-law needing money?" Nolan was torn, internally battling with himself. Valerie had begged him not to say a word.

But...

At this moment, he blamed his lack of power, his perceived incompetence.

Ashton, seeking revenge for Nolan getting close to Valerie, had spitefully gone to Grandpa Joe, accusing Nolan of having designs on his brother's wife. Such nonsense.

This led Grandpa Joe to withdraw his shares, his assets, even freezing his bank accounts.

Nolan had always lived a life of luxury; he had never known financial strain.

Since five months into her pregnancy, Valerie had been bedridden, requiring constant care, which had cost a significant amount of money.

Nolan had been silently supporting her all these months, funding everything since he couldn't manage his own small business due to his assets being frozen. Now, he was starting to feel the pinch.

To make matters worse, Valerie's baby was born with a congenital heart defect and was immediately sent to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Going forward, the baby would need several surgeries, a long and costly process.