Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 1139

Parker leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Ludwik wants Bryce to tip his hand. The moment Bryce thinks he's in the clear, his greed will get the better of him, and he'll start cashing in those contracts in broad daylight."

"That's when you point him out to the President," Parker continued, his eyes glinting with the promise of retribution. "By then, Bryce will be caught red-handed. And even if Ms. Tennyson's gone, Ludwik will see to it that her assets are recovered. Bryce and Florence won't get a penny."

Phineas paused, his expression dark with anger and sorrow. "How could Bryce dare to harm Ms. Tennyson? How did you let him get away with it?"

"When Ms. Tennyson returned, she discovered Florence wasn't her biological daughter. Bryce acted too swiftly, and Ludwik couldn't stop him in time..."

On the TV screens lining the wall, a news report blared about the Lippert Group being investigated by the authorities. The Lippert family's stocks were plummeting, and a throng of disgruntled partners and journalists surrounded Jason outside the company headquarters.

Phineas frowned. "You mentioned Ludwik was apprehended by the President, and now the Lippert family is under scrutiny. And you still won't let me meet the President, all for the sake of catching Bryce?"

"The evidence of Bryce and Florence's involvement in Parisa's death hasn't surfaced yet. Now that the Lippert family is in trouble because of Bryce, he'll be feeling smug. His next move might be to have Florence, as the supposed heir, seize control of Inko Group. After all, Parisa owned a significant share."

"When they start diverting Parisa's funds and bribing officials, that'll be the time for you to act. But even then, you'll only be able to prove Bryce's attempt on your life."

Parker's phone buzzed with a call from Shane, interrupting his grim monologue. He glanced at the screen, furrowing his brow before answering. "Mr. Nelson, the news is everywhere about the Lippert family investigation. How's Jason holding up?"

"Forget about that for now, Mr. Doonan. Whitney's found her mother! Or rather, Jared Sheldon found Parisa first. They've secretly brought her to my hospital."

"Rescue teams are still searching the canyon to avoid arousing Bryce's suspicions. You need to head to the police station and inform Ludwik."

"Are you serious? Ms. Tennyson's alive?" Parker was incredulous, marveling at Ludwik's uncanny intuition. It was indeed Hudson who located Parisa.

"Whether she's alive or not is uncertain. Whitney was pretty distraught."

Shane wasn't ready to celebrate prematurely. As his car pulled into the Nelson Hospital parking lot, he sprinted towards the emergency room.

There, Whitney stood pale and frantic, assisting doctors as they wheeled her parents into surgery.

"Ms. Valentine!" Shane called out.

Whitney's fingers slipped from Parisa's cold wrist, unable to detect a pulse. She rushed towards Shane, panic in her eyes. "Mr. Nelson, can you get the best doctors for the surgery? My mom has multiple injuries and is in a coma... Florence poisoned her! It's been over 24 hours, and I'm terrified..."

"What?" Shane's eyes widened in disbelief. A fall off a cliff and poison—this was beyond the help of even the greatest doctors...

He kept his concerns to himself, nodding reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll bring in the nation's top experts. Did the ambulance manage to revive her on the way here?"

"The defibrillator didn't work, her heart didn't start beating again." Whitney's eyes brimmed with tears, suspecting Florence's poison might have caused heart failure.

Sammy had called earlier, mentioning Florence had been to her lab. The poison could have come from there...

Whitney's anxious gaze sharpened suddenly. She fished her phone from her bag, immediately calling Sammy. "Sammy, Sammy! Mom needs Ryan. Your grandma's been poisoned, and Ryan might know of an antidote from the lab. Can you get him to Mr. Nelson's hospital?"

Sammy, sitting beside his hospitalized "little sister sweetheart," instantly understood the gravity of his mother's words. Had mom found his missing grandmother?

He'd never met his grandmother, but his mom was crying.

He leaped to his feet, leaving Danny's side. "Mom, I'm going to find Ryan now!"