Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ludwik paused before striding over with determination.

Parker's eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion. "After tirelessly scouring through footage from several surveillance points around the forest, I spotted an unlicensed black car. It entered the night Sammy was kidnapped and left before dawn. Its tinted windows caught my attention!

I've been on its trail and discovered it left Banyan City, crossed state lines, and headed towards Crown City."

"Crown City?" Ludwik's voice was ice-cold.

Parker continued, "Assuming Sammy was in that car, and given the Bartels family's influence in Crown City, it wouldn't be far-fetched for Elaine to hide him there."

Sammy's disappearance was a mystery, akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

But Ludwik couldn't afford to overlook any lead.

It seemed, whether to return to the Lippert family or to search for his son, diving into the depths of Crown City was inevitable.

He pondered deeply.

That evening, at the European-style Garden Hotel.

Myra ended a call and stepped onto the balcony. With a cold glint in her eye, she relayed, "Ms. Sheldon, Mrs. Sheldon called. Apparently, at the company meeting today, he directly allocated 10% of Sheldon Group's shares as a gift for meeting his illegitimate daughter!

Mrs. Sheldon is furious and anxious, urging you to return to Crown City to secure an alliance with the Lippert family's eldest son.

Seeing how generously he's treating his illegitimate daughter, if you don't marry the most prestigious man, the Sheldon Group might very well be torn apart."

The young girl, with a subtle smile, played with her cup, "And how did you respond to mother?"

Myra smirked, "I told her, 'Madam, Ms. Sheldon is as sharp as they come, surely you're aware. She's already making moves. Who knows, she might bring home the perfect suitor tomorrow.""

The girl shyly lowered her eyes, her gaze cooling, "That child..."

Myra's expression darkened, lowering her voice, "Drew has taken care of it. The boy has been taken to Crown City, and the unlicensed car destroyed."

The girl fell silent.

Myra's lips curled up, "With this move, you've hit three birds with one stone. The Bartels are down, Mr. Lippert and that Whitney can't make amends. With the boy gone, Mr. Lippert is back on the market, setting the stage for you to rightfully step in..."

Three days later.

Ludwik, at his company, received an excited call from Dr. Ford. "Mr. Lippert, after contacting blood banks around the world, it's clear that Rh-negative blood is scarce, and a spinal cord match even more so.

But guess what? I stumbled upon a patient in Banyan City who's had a blood test, and her HLA typing matches your mother's!"

Ludwik stood up, barely concealing his excitement, "Can we get in touch with this patient?"

"Fortunately, she was diagnosed here, and I've managed to get her contact. We'll bring her in under pretense.

The rest is up to a private discussion among family members."

Ludwik motioned for Felix to write a check for five hundred million and rushed to the hospital.

Dr. Ford had the woman waiting in an office.

Ludwik, composed yet quick-paced, knocked politely, "Hello, may I ask you..."

He saw a girl turn around, her face revealing surprise.

The girl's eyes widened in shock, then she coughed softly, "You're the gentleman? What a coincidence...Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Do

you I need something from me?"

She stood up, curious and elegant, innocently gazing at Ludwik.

Ludwik frowned, turning to Dr. Ford, who hadn't explained?

Dr. Ford quickly laid out the documents, clarifying, "Miss, this gentleman's mother is in dire need of a blood transfusion and spinal cord transplant.

You happen to have a rare Rh-negative blood type and matched our hospital records. You're a unique match, and we hope... you'll kindly save her life."

The girl's eyes widened.

Ludwik was straightforward, presenting the check, his voice deep, "This is five hundred million. Name your price, and I'll pay whatever it takes, just help us save her..."

The girl smiled sadly, "It's not about the money."

"Sir, my time is limited. I have an incurable condition, with maybe a year or two left. Did you see my medical report? Money means nothing to me now."

Ludwik had seen it, making the offer harder to voice.

"What do you want, then? As long as you agree to the procedure," he asked.

The girl took a deep breath, influenced by his imposing aura, "I've always been frail, never even been to the movies. There's a film I'd like to see, starting soon. Would you accompany me?"

Ludwik's brows knitted together.

He couldn't refuse, not when the conversation hinged on her agreement.

Thankfully, her request was reasonable.

"Book it," he instructed Felix.

"I've already got my ticket." Clutching her movie ticket, she walked out, supported by a middle-aged maid, and got into the car.

Ludwik followed, driving behind her.

The movie theater was just a stone's throw away from the hospital, nestled within the bustling shopping mall. Ludwik, hands casually tucked into his pockets, sat with an air of aloofness, a couple of seats away from her.

et

His mind was miles away from the movie screen, which flickered with the bittersweet narrative of a teenage fomance - the kind of story that's all too beautiful yet destined for a tragic end, stirring a sense of melancholy among the audience.

The girl beside him couldn't hold back her tears, her sobs punctuated by gasps, revealing her fragile state.

Ludwik, eyebrows knitted in mild annoyance, reluctantly offered his handkerchief from the inner pocket of his blazer.

"Thank you..." she managed between sobs.

"Movie's over." Ludwik stood up, signaling to Felix to brighten the room with the theater lights.

He couldn't fathom what was going through the girl's mind and was quickly running out of patience. It seemed as fitting a time as any to have a candid conversation with her.

Despite his generally stoic demeanor, Ludwik's presence was commanding; a young man with authority, his capabilities and depth as inscrutable as they come, demonstrating a rare touch of tenderness towards Whitney.

Florence found herself increasingly drawn to deciphering Ludwik, a mix of curiosity and fascination veiling her gaze, though she tried to suppress it. Wiping her eyes, her coughing fit left a trace of blood on the handkerchief, prompting Ludwik to send Felix for water.

Shivering slightly, she handed back the handkerchief, "I'm sorry, sir. I've stained your belongings."

"It's alright. Would you care to share what's ailing you?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she gave a wry smile, "As you've seen, I cough up blood. My condition seems to be worsening, and yet, I'm still in the dark about what terminal disease I might be suffering from. The doctors are clueless. I've always been frail, unable to engage in the normal activities my peers enjoy.

Growing up sheltered, one might think I was fortunate. But all I've known is solitude. To even experience a romance, which every girl dreams of, seems like an impossibility for me now.

I don't know why, but I find myself able to confide in you, things I've struggled to voice."

Her laughter, though filled with

sorrow, was tinged with a youthful innocence. Aflush of red spread across her pale cheeks as she, Molly, spoke with a mixture of

shyness and vulnerability, "Sirel

so inadequate because no man would wish to marry me, they wouldn't even dare get close.

feel

I have but one wish before I die - to be engaged, or even married...

To find a boy who would treat me with the tenderness of a lover, to cherish and comfort me in my final days. To experience a sweet romance, real or

feigned, I am willing to give anything, even what little life I have left.

That day, you were the first man to show me kindness. Would you fulfill this small fantasy of mine?"

Her eyes, hopeful yet filled with anxiety, were fixed on him, her hands clasped tightly together yet maintaining an air of grace.