Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 1014

"What, you think Ludwik is behind this too? Why?"

Parisa's gaze was frosty and thoughtful as she scrutinized Florence.

Florence lifted her head, a flurry of accusations spilling out, "It was I who found your picture on Mr. Wilson's computer, and fled to Germinia to seek you out, which led Ludwik to hunt us down.

But it's highly likely he discovered the Inko Group while in Germinia. If he knew you were the CEO and my mother, he'd fear your investigation and retaliation.

So, he might have targeted Director Phineas, because he'd guess you'd turn to Mr. Wilson for the scoop on his operations in Harmonia Country.

After all, his Lippert Group has collaborations with Inko Group.

By silencing Director Phineas, you'd be in the dark about his dealings.

I suspect he and Whitney, driven by greed, killed Phineas to devour Inko Group, or even make a move on the Germinia headquarters. As long as you can't uncover his actions, he can strike at will!

They're terrifying, mom. Now with Director Phineas attacked, you must be extra cautious. He and Whitney probably aim to take us down, seize everything we have. Whitney's always been green with envy towards me. If you don't act soon, we'll be at a disadvantage!"

Florence, while slinging mud, took the chance to fan the flames of enmity between Parisa and Ludwik.

Listening to her analysis, Parisa's gaze turned icier by the inch.

If Florence was correct, Ludwik was indeed a man of insatiable ambition and wicked deeds, not only pursuing her daughter with murderous intent in Germinia but also silencing Phineas, a deed most vile! Yet, this was merely Florence's speculation. Was everything truly as she suggested?

Parisa calmed slightly.

She was not one to jump to conclusions without thought. Stripping away Florence's narrative to focus on the incident with Phineas, she found the timing peculiar.

Just three days ago, she had contacted Phineas to inquire about Ludwik and Whitney.

And now, Phineas had mysteriously come under attack! The timing seemed too perfect, as if someone was rushing to silence Phineas before he could speak?

This directly resulted in her being cut off from finding out the truth about those in Emperor City, Harmonia Country.

Phineas was her most direct link to understanding Harmonia Country, and he would have told her the truth!

Who would want to keep Phineas from speaking the truth?

It felt as though a clue had been abruptly severed.

Was this truly Ludwik's doing, as Florence suggested, his and Whitney's eyes set on Inko Group?

Or was there another hidden agenda?

A fog of confusion spread before her, making it impossible to discern truth from fiction.

Yet, Parisa did not immediately accept Florence's speculation.

The peculiar circumstances around Phineas's attack made her suspect there was someone orchestrating everything behind the scenes, blocking her inquiries, a notion her years in business had honed her to detect.

Her cool gaze remained unflustered as she quietly observed her daughter, replaying the evening's accusations against Ludwik. From stealing the child to erasing hospital surveillance and attacking Phineas, aiming to target them both. This roused Parisa's anger but also her curiosity. Could a young man truly be this heartless?

If he indeed was the villain, she would seek vengeance for Florence.

But if Florence's narrative was inaccurate, then who had targeted Phineas?

The mystery halted without a clue...

Phineas's condition was still uncertain.

Perhaps, the clearest answer would come once Phineas was revived to speak for himself.

Moreover, how could Ludwik have so quickly ascertained that she, Parisa, was the CEO of Inko Group? She had been in Berlidon for years, her identity a closely guarded secret, her face unknown to those outside Inko.

Parisa's brows furrowed as she turned to Florence, "Florence, how could Ludwik have known my identity? Did you say something?"

Florence, caught off guard, clenched the sheets tighter.

She had forgotten how secretive Parisa's position at Inko was, almost an enigma to outsiders.

In her rush to pin the blame on Ludwik, she had claimed he was ambitiously targeting them.

This way, Parisa would be manipulated into cleansing the domestic branches of the Lippert Group!

Swallowing hard, Florence looked guiltily, "Mom, I didn't mean to. He cornered me with a scalpel, pressing for answers, and I might have let something slip... I'm sorry. But now, you're my only protection against Ludwik and Whitney, and to retrieve my child." Florence kept invoking the child, donning the guise of the pitiful to garner sympathy.

Parisa, thinking of the newborn, couldn't help but feel compassion. Having lost her daughter for over two decades, she wouldn't wish the same separation agony upon her.

"Just for Ludwik taking your child, I will not let him go.

Florence, heal up first. We'll plan our moves carefully.

Once Mr. Wilson wakes and speaks, we'll know who targeted him.

Then, I'll join forces with Mr. Wilson, extend our reach into the country, and counter those villains, helping you reclaim your child and seek justice."

Florence's eyes shimmered with hope, wiping away tears in feigned distress, "Mom, cough... Thank you!"

"Stop talking now. Look at you, all breathless. You need to rest properly to heal. Otherwise, you'll scar. Lie down and take a break."

Parisa tiptoed around the room, gently tucking the covers around her daughter, taking a moment to get comfortable with the unfamiliar act. She reminded herself, this was her child, a soul in distress, deserving of her company and comfort. She reached out, attempting to grasp Florence's hand, searching for that warm, mother-daughter bond that should come so naturally.

But, whether it was the years spent apart or something else, Parisa's heart just couldn't ignite with affection. Her attempts at intimacy felt forced, awkward.

This sense of alienation puzzled her deeply.

Florence, too, was ill at ease, playing the part of a docile daughter while fearing her mother might sense her discomfort. So, she chose to close her eyes and feign sleep, waiting until her breathing evened out. Parisa, feeling a hint of fatigue, stood up to find Erik waiting at the hospital room's door.

She picked up her briefcase and walked out in her silent high heels, closing the door behind her, "Erik, have a nurse watch over her throughout the night."

"Yes," Erik responded, following her out.

As they navigated the halls of Sanctum Mary Medical, Parisa mulled over the evening's events and finally paused, "Erik, did you notice anything off about what Florence said tonight?"

She suddenly asked Erik.

Erik replayed the evening's conversation in his head, then shook his head, "Miss Florence was emotional-angry, sad, but nothing seemed amiss, Mrs. Chairman. It all comes down to Ludwik's mistreatment." "The issue is exactly that," Parisa questioned, "Why didn't she seek help from the hospital during those two days?"