Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 998

Florence's face froze in agony as she covered her eyes, sobbing quietly, "Uncle... after Uncle came back to Emperor City with me, Whitney, out of revenge, had him killed! And Dad, he protected her, even Ludwik pressured me not to go to the police for her sake.

I was all alone, with no one to turn to but Bryce. But then Ludwik and Whitney went after Bryce too."

"Despicable!" Anger flashed in Parisa's icy eyes. "This Whitney, so young and yet so venomous. It seems she's been spoiled rotten, and your father, what a heartless betrayer."

"Yes! Dad's favorite has always been Whitney, and I... I'm just a mistake from his past affair with you. Uncle was murdered, I was abandoned by Ludwik Lippert while pregnant, Whitney stole my love and took over the Sheldon Group, and I was kicked out of the house. With nowhere to turn, they even sent men after me, and I barely made it here to Germinia to find you."

At this, Parisa still had questions, "Florence, how did you find out I was in Germinia?"

Florence gave a bitter smile, "It's a strange story, really. After I was kicked out, I tried to find a job at the Inko Group skyscraper in Emperor City. By chance, I saw your photo on Mr. Wilson's computer, identical to an old photo Uncle had given me. I secretly took a picture of

it!

I sought Bryce's help, and despite my situation, he felt sorry for me and did some digging. Eventually, I found out you might be in Germinia, and I risked everything to come find you. Mom, Whitney and Ludwik have made our lives a living hell, especially Bryce. Now he's trapped in Emperor City, broke and it's all my fault. He's a victim in all of this too.

If you can, could you please help us?

If not, it's okay. Being reunited with you is all I ask for. But I can't swallow the injustice of Uncle's death..."

Parisa took a deep breath, her hands trembling with rage. "Like you said, I only had a father and a brother in this world. My father's gone, and now my brother's been killed by that wicked woman. If Whitney really did something so unforgivable, I'll make sure she pays! Florence, now that you've found me, you don't have to be afraid anymore."

"Mom, thank you. I've been bullied to the point of homelessness, and you're all I have left!" Florence wiped away her tears, trying to change the subject, "Mom, how have you been these years? What are you doing now?"

"I run this company." Parisa was cautious, revealing little.

She reflected sadly, "I can't remember much about my past, only that I had a child and knew some traditional medicine. After I was injured and woke up here in Germinia, the company's former CEO saved me. Erik never asked about my past or where I came from. He died without revealing anything about my past. At first, I didn't understand.

But now that I've seen you, I get it. He wanted to spare me the painful memories and cut me off from my past life.

Did your uncle practice medicine? What about you?"

Parisa asked casually.

Florence tensed up. Whitney knew about traditional medicine, but she didn't. Her involvement in the laboratory was merely for research into less reputable practices, like stealing the life force from the unborn child...

She managed a weak smile, "Mom, you were skilled in medicine, Uncle mentioned it. I've seen your notes and picked up a bit."

"How's your health now? After the car accident, is the baby okay... It's Ludwik's, isn't it? Are you planning to keep it?" Parisa's gaze softened as she reached out to check Florence's pulse.

Florence clutched her stomach in feigned agony, choking out, "After carrying this baby for so long, even though that man betrayed our love for Whitney's sake, I can't bear to give it up.

But he's been misled by Whitney, utterly heartless, and still pursuing me, probably to eliminate this child... Mom, you must protect me. I don't want to be killed by Ludwik."

Florence calculated every word, preemptively discrediting Ludwik in case he confronted Parisa.

She succeeded in stirring Parisa's wrath against Whitney, convincing her of her story.

She dabbed at her eyes pitifully.

Parisa dropped her hand from Florence's pulse, her expression growing stern, "Child, your pulse is weak, indicating the baby is in grave danger. Where have you been staying these days? Why haven't you been in a hospital?" Erik responded, "Ma'am, I found Miss Florence under a bridge!"

"What?"

Florence looked up tearfully, "Mom, Ludwik's men were tracking me. I couldn't afford a hotel, so I've been on the run to Germinia, trying to find you, penniless now."

Parisa's heart ached, "Erik, arrange the best room for Florence immediately. Treat her and her unborn child, ensuring a safe delivery. If those people dare to touch her again, I'll handle them!"

"Mom, it's so good to have you!" Florence beamed, clutching Parisa's hand, "You're the CEO, the strongest support I could ask for. I don't have to fear Ludwik and Whitney anymore. With you here, you'll definitely handle them!"

Parisa paused mid-sentence, her gaze intensifying as she looked into Florence's delicate face, a flicker of contemplation crossing her eyes.

Had she let slip that she was the CEO of Inko Group?

No, she hadn't disclosed her specific title.

So how did this girl know she was the CEO? Did Mr. Phineas Wilson from back home tell her, or had she done her own digging?

Parisa felt a complex mix of emotions. Reuniting with her daughter should have been a joyous occasion, yet she couldn't shake off the feeling that the girl in front of her harbored a penchant for materialism and vanity, a superficiality that was rather disappointing. Her daughter, she thought, should share her own trait of being aloof and proud, uninterested in material pursuits.

Yet, the moment she mentioned being a CEO, the girl's eyes sparkled with interest.

Suppressing her discomfort, Parisa studied Florence's features more closely, causing Florence to feel somewhat uneasy under her intense scrutiny. Parisa, with her formidable presence, seemed to have momentarily set aside her irritation, returning to her usual state of calm observation. Feeling a bit uneasy and slightly wronged, Florence asked, "Mom, did I say something wrong?"

"No," Parisa shook her head, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes slightly narrowing, "we've been talking for a while, and I still don't know how old you are. Could you show me your ID? Erik is going to help you with the admission paperwork for SanctumMary Medical. You'll need to stay in Germinia for a while."

ID? Why was she suddenly asking to see her ID?

Florence couldn't quite grasp what Parisa was thinking at the moment.