Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 1032

Ever since Ludwik returned from the forensic department of Bloom District's Public Security Bureau, doubts had been swirling in his mind. The medical examiner mentioned that the suspect had been poisoned for several days already.

This indicated that Bryce had been planning his move for a while.

Undoubtedly, Bryce and Florence must have conspired earlier to silence Phineas.

Ludwik speculated that perhaps Florence had deceived this 'mysterious person,' fearing her own identity might be exposed.

He also inferred from Florence's plastic surgery that if she had assumed a fake identity, it had to be somehow related to Whitney.

Could the mysterious person have some connection to Whitney as well?

Similar appearances...

With a sharp squint, Ludwik pieced together the puzzle. Through Inko Group, finding information on this mysterious person proved futile; Parker mentioned that Phineas's international meetings were secretive, with no public attendee lists.

He vividly remembered a security guard at Inko's headquarters mentioning how few in Berlidon could recognize their CEO, a person shrouded in mystery and discretion. Florence's fear of meeting this individual suggested he might be from Harmonia Country, perhaps even a familiar face.

What was the link to Whitney?

A flicker of thought crossed Ludwik's deep eyes as he dialed the number.

"...Didn't you have something to ask me?"

On the other end, Whitney, unaware of his contemplation, prompted him with a murmur, "Are you going to ask or not?"

"Ask!" He chuckled softly, hiding his gloomy mood.

Pretending to be casual, he started, "Just chatting about your family stuff.

Whitney, your dad's side of the Sheldon family, besides Hugh Sheldon and your aunt, did your granddad have any other kids or relatives outside? Have you ever heard of anything like that?"

?

Whitney couldn't grasp why he suddenly took interest in her family history, wondering what his angle was.

She pushed aside her questions, shaking her head, "Since recognizing my dad, we haven't delved deep, but the Sheldon family tree is pretty clear to me. Emma only had three children, all of whom you've met. Hugh's power grab is old news.

And that aunt of mine? She never bothers with anything.

How could my granddad have other kids out there?"

Pausing, Whitney glanced towards the garden lights outside the window, her eyes cool, "So, what exactly are you trying to ask, Ludwik?"

"Just getting to know you better, isn't that what calls are for? Thought I'd ask."

Ludwik replied smoothly, comforting her with his deep voice.

Yet, his brows furrowed slightly. Indeed, he had overlooked something.

His first encounter with Florence was in Banyan City, oblivious to her existence then.

But Florence bore a resemblance to Whitney.

This similarity connected her to the Sheldon family, being their daughters.

Now, Florence's surgery made her resemble Whitney even more, rather than Hugh.

Meaning... subconsciously, the mysterious person 'should be unrelated to the Sheldon family.'

Otherwise, Florence needn't have tried so hard to look like Whitney.

This meant... the mysterious person was related to Whitney's maternal side?

His dark eyes narrowed as he subtly shifted the conversation, "After discussing your father's family, let's talk about your maternal side."

"What exactly are you trying to do? Dig up my ancestors?" Whitney felt exasperated, unable to decipher his intentions through his opaque words.

Ludwik was always an enigma, impenetrable when he chose to be, making communication especially challenging.

Whitney particularly disliked this, feeling a sense of helplessness being played by him.

"I'd rather not say." She retorted.

"I haven't even asked yet. What don't you want to say?" Ludwik responded casually, "Is it wrong to want to know more about you? Like your uncle, who mistook me for an enemy and the things you two did against me..." "Ludwik!" Whitney's heart skipped a beat, recalling events from three years ago, her emotions swirling.

She spoke softly, defeated, "That's all in the past. Your mother recovered, and you..."

"It's not about blaming you for the past. Just slipped out." He reassured her with a somber tone, "Yes, it's all behind us. I'm sorry too, so now I just want to understand your family a bit better.

Your grandfather, did he only have your uncle and your mom? Could there be others...

"...Another forgotten child?"

Whitney was speechless, "Are you fantasizing that I must have an uncle or an aunt left out there?!"

Ludwik paused, almost losing his composure at her frustrated tone.

Imagining her frustration, his deep chuckles were barely contained, "No."

He was simply speculating based on Florence's actions.

"So, your granddad had no other children?"

"No!" Whitney snapped, "I remember my granddad in Banyan City was well-respected. A man of integrity, he raised my mom to be outstanding. How could he possibly have other children out there?"

"Okay." Ludwik pondered, his gaze fixed on the floor, his focus narrowing. Suddenly, he inquired, "Can you tell me about your mom? What kind of woman was she?"

"Memories of her from my childhood are a bit fuzzy, and those two years with the Valentine family took a toll. A lot about my mom has been buried deep in my mind. Asking me about her out of the blue...

She was probably unparalleled in beauty, pure and upright, gentle and intelligent. No wonder my dad, Hudson, loved her deeply.

My mom... I remember she was excellent in business alongside my granddad, but she was also quite reserved, hardly ever smiling."

Ludwik, despite his usually reserved demeanor, revealed a deep concern for her. She had always been exceptionally gentle, especially during the years she spent with the Valentines, battling a severe illness. It wasn't until this year that he learned the truth - Holly, in collusion with the Bartels, had orchestrated a cruel plot, poisoning her under the guise of the Valentine family's care.

The more he spoke, the more his anger surged.

Whitney's eyes reddened slightly at the corners as she wiped her forehead, trying to regain her composure, "Are you curious about her? Why?"

Ludwik's curiosity wasn't about Whitney's mother per se, but in the split second earlier, as he instinctively protected Whitney, a horrifying thought crossed his mind...

He cleared his throat, a tense gesture, before finally voicing his suspicion, "Whitney. The year your mom and grandfather passed away, was your uncle there? Are you sure absolutely certain your mom is dead?"

Whitney's brows knitted together tightly, her breathing halted momentarily.

After a pause, she murmured, "What's happening today?

Why does everyone bring up my mom all of a sudden? And why do they ask in such a way?

Ludwik, you're being odd! Do you think my mom isn't dead? But you've never met her, don't even know her, why suddenly bring her up? Did something happen, or did you see something?"