Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )

Bryce's eyes darkened with a chilling resolve as he decided to lay it all on the table. "Let's cut to the chase. I know about Whitney's son, Sammy. You've got him under your thumb..."

He spoke softly, meticulously outlining his plans, and then added with a narrowed gaze, "If Ms. Sheldon wants Whitney and me to be together, then it's going to happen."

Florence's face remained unchanging, but a cold, amused smirk played at the corners of her eyes. Bryce's intentions aligned perfectly with her own-beneath his gentle exterior lurked a ruthless heart, carefully hidden from view.

"Mr. Lutz, you're quite the strategist, using me to push yourself closer to Whitney," she remarked.

"A win-win situation," Bryce retorted. "I've been the only man by Whitney's side for so long, I'm already a thorn in Ludwik's side."

Florence pondered briefly, her eyes flickering with thought. "It's quite the coincidence. I was about to see Whitney today but ended up meeting Mr. Lutz instead. Well then, our partnership is formed. I have a secret that might be of interest to you, Mr. Lutz." "Do tell," Bryce urged, intrigued.

Florence's voice was clear, yet somber. "Whitney was pregnant, a result of her relations with Ludwik a month ago. However, the child was lost before she even knew of its existence. Ludwik is aware of the pregnancy but not of the miscarriage. He continues to dote on what he believes is still there. Do you catch my drift, Mr. Lutz?"

Bryce's handsome face turned ashen. The thought of Whitney still physically entangled with Ludwik was unbearable, sparking jealousy and revulsion. But in the next moment, he grasped the significance of Florence's revelation.

He nodded, his expression cold and determined. "This is quite the interesting tidbit. I'll make good use of it."

Florence, pleased with the turn of events, took a leisurely sip of her water. Bryce, it seemed, had just become a valuable pawn in her game.

---

Downtown, in the bustling heart of Emperor City, Whitney locked herself in her office at Skye Gem Ltd., which also contained a small resting area. Lying on the bed, she felt the comforting presence of her friend Tiana, who brought her a cup of warm water and checked her temperature. "The fever hasn't broken yet. It's all Ludwik's fault, letting your emotions fester and boil over like this."

Whitney barely glanced at her, a weak smile on her feverish face. "Now you sound like a doctor."

"If only a good cry could ease your heart," Tiana sighed, her concern for Whitney growing as she turned on the TV. The latest news on Ludwik and his public denial of Florence's child, along with his unexpected proposal to Whitney, filled the room. Tiana, bewildered by his actions, tried to rouse Whitney from her despair.

Whitney's tears, slow and silent, betrayed her feelings. Tiana's hopeful view of Ludwik only reminded Whitney of her own naivety and misery.

Despite the turmoil, Whitney forced herself up, driven by the need to work, to live for Sammy and Danny, and to save the Sheldon Group from Florence's clutches.

Her phone rang with an unknown number, which Whitney initially ignored, suspecting it might be Ludwik. But the caller was persistent. "Why fear, Whitney? Answer it."

With a deep breath, Whitney answered, her voice steady despite the fever. "Hello-"

"It's Florence, sweetie. Surprised? Did you think Ludwik had borrowed someone else's phone to call you? He's too busy with his work at the Lippert Group, especially now that I'm carrying his baby."

Standing by the window, Whitney felt a cold numbness spread through her Florence's freedom and her taunts shattered any illusions Whitney had held onto. Ludwik wouldn't act against Florence, not with a child involved. The realization was a cold blow to her already fragile heart.

Whitney's fingers tapped anxiously against the cold metal of her phone, each click echoing her attempt to keep her breathing under control Her gaze was sharp, piercing. you're just going to spout nonsense, I'm hanging up."

"What's the rush? I heard sis got your little startup a whole office building right in downtown. Pretty sweet, huh? I just happened to be in the neighborhood. Come down, sis, let's chat!" Whitney's grip on the phone tightened, her mind flashing to Florence's hair, which she hadn't had the chance to obtain a sample from recently...

But she was ready to end the call.

Florence's tone shifted, "Hang up if you want! Seems like you've resigned yourself to only having one son left, huh?"

Whitney froze, a violent shiver running through her.

Florence was hinting at Sammy!

Quickly, Whitney hit the record button, but Florence had already cautiously ended the call.

Whitney spun around, her flushed cheeks now ghostly pale, and she staggered towards the office door.

"Whitney? Who was that on the phone? You look terrible, where are you going?"