Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 1006

Ludwik stood up, his eyes throwing daggers at her. His next words sent shivers down her spine, "Did you really think just because I haven't killed you, you can find sanctuary here? On the brink of death, and not a single truth escapes your lips.

Aide, keep a tight watch on her. I'll take her back home and finish this myself."

"What? You're taking me back?" Florence's face turned pale with fear.

A cold smile played on Ludwik's lips. "Panicking, are we? Bryce has no idea I've already made it to Germinia, does he? Whatever little scheme you've cooked up, I'll make sure it ends in failure!" After he spoke, knowing he would pry no more information from her, he left without a second glance.

Florence collapsed onto the bed, the intense pain from her surgery momentarily forgotten.

She was in utter panic. Ludwik might not have believed her story. If he still suspected her involvement with the Inko Group, suspecting someone inside... he would surely investigate the Inko Tower in Berlidon. His presence here, though not as influential as back in Emperor City, meant it was only a matter of time before he found something. And if he discovered anything about Parisa...

Moreover, Parisa was due back from a business trip tomorrow!

Erik had mentioned she'd come straight to the hospital to visit her.

...If Ludwik were to run into her then, everything would fall apart.

Florence became restless, like a cat on a hot tin roof. Ludwik showed no signs of leaving the hospital. She was incapacitated after her surgery and under his surveillance. What was she to do?

-

Outside the hospital room, Ludwik sent his aide to call Cara out.

Trembling, Cara stepped out to face the tall, menacing figure before her. Instinctively taking a breath, a bad feeling settled over her, "...Ludwik Lippert, what do you want with me?" "You're from the Sheldon family's household staff? Followed Florence all the way to Germinia?"

The maid was fearful, "Mr. Lippert, have mercy! I was merely following Mrs. Sheldon's orders, to look after Ms. Sheldon. I know nothing of their plans."

"I noticed you showed mercy to the child last night."

Ludwik loomed over her, a mix of menace and magnanimity, "Following Florence makes you complicit. Now that she's in my grasp, what do you think your fate will be?!"

"Mr. Lippert, please, I didn't mean to be complicit."

"I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself." Ludwik flicked his cigarette away, "What has Florence been up to since arriving in Germinia? Who has she met? Tell me, and I might just spare your life." Cara whitened, clearly troubled.

"So loyal, are we?" Ludwik's patience was wearing thin.

The maid fell to her knees, shaking her head, "Mr. Lippert, it's not that I refuse to tell. But Ms. Sheldon was always cautious around me. Ever since we arrived in Germinia, she kept me locked in the hotel, unaware of her or the bodyguard's whereabouts.

Her demeanor is so cold; I dared not ask. The day of the car accident, I wasn't there. I don't know who she met... The only thing I know is that she was constantly surveilling from the hotel. Who she was watching, I couldn't say."

Ludwik's gaze turned frosty, "Surveilling? Which hotel was she staying at?"

"Bellden Hotel. Later, she dragged me to live under a bridge for a few days before we ended up at Sanctum Mary Medical," Cara mumbled, confused.

Ludwik's eyes chilled further. Such erratic behavior must have a cause.

He quickly set off to check the Bellden Hotel.

The information he got was that the Bellden Hotel was only a block away from the Inko Tower.

So, Florence was surveilling? Beyond someone inside the Inko Tower, Ludwik couldn't guess who else she'd be interested in.

As for her claims of being involved with Germinian elites, it seemed like nonsense.

Clearly, some 'mysterious person' had her admitted to the hospital. But who? Ludwik was clueless.

His only link to the Inko Group was a favor Phineas had done for him back home.

To get answers, he'd have to return home and ask Phineas.

Back at the neonatal ward, night had fallen, and the Inko Tower staff had likely gone home. Investigating now would be futile.

Ludwik decided to stay by his daughter's side through the night. He wouldn't rest easy otherwise, fearing any accident.

He tiredly ordered his secretary, "Slip into the Sanctum Mary Medical's security office. Use money if you have to, get the head of security to pull yesterday's footage. We need to see who brought Florence to the hospital. Lock onto that person!"

The secretary, taken aback at first, nodded in understanding, "So we can verify Florence's story? Once we find who admitted her, we can uncover their identity?"

"Yes." Ludwik closed his eyes briefly, then checked his phone as it buzzed with a new message.

His gaze deepened. It was from Sammy!

He had contacted Sammy days ago to update him on his situation here, only to learn that Whitney had left Emperor City for Banyan City because of Tiana Melford.

He was deeply concerned for his twin sons' safety, especially since Ashton Fuller and Parker Doonan were not in Emperor City to protect them.

Ludwik had specifically instructed Sammy to get in touch with their mother to hurry back from Banyan City.

He glanced down at the message, Sammy: "Dad! How's your injury coming along? Did you find Florence? Mom flew back to Emperor City today because Danny and I had a bit of a mishap. She's insistent that you come home ASAP, but you're still out there looking for the baby. Is my sister... still alive inside Florence?"

You could almost picture Sammy's small hands trembling as he typed that last line.

Ludwik's heart skipped a beat, yet his concern immediately shifted to Sammy and Danny. What kind of mishap?

Could Bryce be lurking, waiting for a chance to harm his children?

His eyes narrowed, a chill running through him, as he texted back: "Sammy, what exactly happened to you and Danny? Your sister's been safely born, and I've got her back. I'll bring her home as soon as I can. Try to calm your mom down, tell her not to worry!" Ludwik's rare tenderness was reserved entirely for his family and for Whitney.

After sending the message, he closed his eyes tightly, determined to figure out why Florence had stayed here in the first place. Who was she involved with? Without unearthing that person, he couldn't begin to guess what other schemes Bryce might have up his sleeve. Trouble was brewing; they were bound to strike back!

He had to dismantle this threat. Bryce dared to target his sons? He was courting death!

-

In the hospital room, Florence watched Cara return with a predatory glare.

The nanny had been called out a moment ago, and Florence suspected Ludwik wanted to interrogate her, perhaps even win her over. That traitorous old bat, if she spilled anything, Florence would make her pay!

Her gaze was cold and sharp as a knife as she stared down the nanny.

Cara, noticing the tension, stood beside Ludwik's assistant, too scared to move.

Suddenly, Florence's voice took on a sinister tone, "I need to use the restroom. Nanny, help me in!"