Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 1025

Her cheeks were flushed with a silent embarrassment as she nodded, lashes lowered, in a manner that was all too hasty. "Uncle, please don't worry about me. It's this worrying that's got you all restless, even Grandpa came to you in a dream." Keegan gave her a helpless look, a mix of amusement and seriousness in his gaze as he shook his head. "I can't help but think Grandpa's visit in my dream was a metaphor. We all thought your mom didn't stand a chance. But what if, just what if..."

Hearing this, Whitney's expression subtly shifted, a pang of dull pain in her heart. Could there be such a 'what if'?

There was no evidence to suggest her mom could still be alive. After all, her uncle had witnessed the explosion himself, and it had been several years. If there was any news, they would have known by now.

She gave a bitter smile, "More than anyone, I wish there was a one in a million chance my mom was still alive. You don't know how much I missed her during those tough years, when the Valentine family was barely hanging on."

"Dreams might just be dreams," Keegan also sadly shook his head. "Alright, I didn't mean to upset you by bringing this up today. They've been gone for so long, their souls at peace. You should head back soon, weren't you meant to be looking after the kids?" "Please take care of yourself, especially with your health not being great lately. I'll come back the day after tomorrow to keep you company."

"There's no need, Yael's here with me, she's so sensible. Aren't you reassured by that? Focus on your big tasks, Emperor City's situation is still unstable, and your uncle isn't naive," Keegan advised her with a more somber look.

Whitney then stood up, patting his frail hand, and glanced towards the kitchen with a smile, "It's still early. Ludwik should be with the kids. Let me make you your favorite bowl of chicken noodle soup before I go."

"Sure." Keegan smiled, a trace of weariness on his face.

-

Ludwik had just arrived at Emperor City Neurology Hospital.

Parker's bodyguard came out to greet him, respectfully leading him towards the OR.

The private ward's corridor, heavily guarded by the Wilson family's security, was completely sealed off. The wide corridor glowed with a stark, cold light, leading directly to the surgery room at the end.

Ludwik made his way past the impenetrable security, his gaze finally resting on Parker's face, "Parker."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a young, aristocratic woman sitting quietly next to Parker, a ten-year-old boy beside her.

Ludwik pondered for a moment.

"Parker, you're here," Parker turned around, his handsome features cold as ice, striding towards him.

Following his gaze, Parker introduced in a low, strict voice, "This is my uncle's wife, and their ten-year-old son."

Ludwik, not familiar with Phineas's family background, was quite surprised.

Understanding the question in Ludwik's dark eyes, Parker sighed, "Although my uncle is the chairman, our family is small. His first marriage was far from perfect, and he only married his current wife in his late thirties, hence the young child. That's why he and my mother are so close. He worried about the Inko Group not having an heir due to his age, which is why he's always been particularly supportive of me."

I see.

Ludwik had noticed Phineas's favoritism and support for Parker before.

He had assumed Phineas's family to be vast and complex, expecting a multitude of relatives and shareholders from within the company to be present in such a crisis, each with their own agendas, possibly challenging Parker's authority.

But that was not the case.

Ludwik's expression softened, his sharp gaze filled with contemplation, thinking about the operational structure of the Inko Group, "It seems your uncle had significant control within Inko Group."

Parker, looking worn, rubbed his temples, "I'm not sure. My uncle's wife ordered the shareholders and directors of Inko Group not to come, and so far, no one has disobeyed. My uncle is still in surgery; a bullet hit his brain, lodged in a critical spot. The surgery has been going on for over 12 hours now." Ludwik's expression turned solemn, patting Parker's shoulder heavily.

His icy gaze sharpened, "What happened? Have you looked into the details?"

"My bodyguards and the Wilson family's security were deployed immediately. We found out that my uncle was attacked after an evening function.

He always had bodyguards, and with his status, no one in Emperor City would dare target him.

His secretary mentioned he was in a good mood after closing a deal that night, had a bit too much to drink, and decided to take a walk on the path outside the club while the secretary went to fetch the car.

With the path still within the club's premises and no outsiders around, my uncle felt safe.

The bodyguard left him for just a few seconds to fetch some hangover medicine from the club, as my uncle began to feel unwell.

And that's when it happened! Someone rushed out and shot my uncle in the head, catching him completely off-guard!"

"Did you check the surveillance?" Ludwik asked, lips pressed tightly together.

Parker nodded, "We checked the cameras, and we caught the guy! But the shooter turned out to be an employee of the club, and by the time we got to him, his tongue was already poisoned. I threw him in jail for the police to interrogate, damn it!" He cursed vehemently.

Ludwik's brows furrowed deeply, a cold laugh escaping him, "They came prepared."

"Exactly! The shooter's background didn't reveal much, but the moment you mentioned it, I knew it had to be Bryce behind the hit. I didn't waste any time using the Wilson family's influence to have the police detain Bryce this morning for questioning!" Parker's eyes, beneath his furrowed brows, shimmered with a fierce determination, his gaze fixed on the surgery room doors, his aura growing increasingly menacing.

Ludwik's sharp eyes narrowed, "You went straight for Bryce? Which station is he at?"

"Emperor City's Bloom District station," Parker looked up at him, "Ludwik, you're heading to the station?"

"Of course." Ludwik's strong fingers clenched, his handsome features emanating an icy resolve, his eyes narrowing with a cold smile, "Bryce, after all his struggles to climb up the ranks, has quite the knack for escaping dire situations." You wouldn't believe what he had Florence do over in Eurovoria.

But I'll get to that in a bit.

If he's behind a hit, then he's the one most concerned about your Uncle's fate right now.

Naturally, we need to keep him at the station, have a real heart-to-heart."

Ludwik spoke, his gaze drifting toward the operating room with a somber air, "The surgery's been going for over twelve hours now. Any idea when we might hear something?"

Parker shook his head, clinging to hope, "I've signed three critical condition forms for my aunt already. Ironically, I'm starting to think the longer it takes, the better the chances. It should be soon."

"Let's wait for Mr. Wilson's surgery outcome first!"

Ludwik squinted, a chilling sharpness passing through his icy stare. He advised Parker with a meaningful tone, "But no matter the outcome, good or bad, to the outside world, Parker, you have to say Mr. Wilson either passed away or is in a vegetative state!" "Why?" Parker's face fell, puzzled as he looked at him.