Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 1143

"Can you believe it? Florence is bold enough to try and take over the Sheldon family's old estate!" Whitney was on the phone, her frustration evident as she paced around the room. Emma, unknowingly, was defending Florence. But when things went south, she pushed Whitney to step in and handle it.

Whitney felt a cold, indifferent smirk forming. When it came to the old lady, she had two words: speechless.

"Whitney," Mr. Sheldon took over the phone from his wife, sounding both angry and guilty. "Your grandma just doesn't get it! Florence is probably trying to repay kindness with betrayal. Who knows what she learned while she was away these past few months? She's a completely different person now, even trying to turn against her own family!"

Whitney rubbed her temples, a bitter laugh escaping her. "Grandpa, she's not just a different person. This morning, she teamed up with Ronan Miller to target the Sheldon Group. This afternoon, she's set on taking over your home. She wants to claw her way back into high society, and the Sheldon family is part of her past that she wants to erase completely."

"What... why would she do something like this?" Jared was at a loss, breaking into a cold sweat. "Whitney, you have to find a way to save the Sheldon Group and our family."

"I'll send some bodyguards to the old estate. No matter what, don't move out."

Whitney was overwhelmed, but she reassured her grandfather before hanging up. Her mind was racing, and she gripped her phone so tightly she thought it might crack. Florence was out for blood, aiming to humiliate Whitney and push her to the brink.

Even the massive Lippert family conglomerate was nearly brought to its knees by them. The Sheldon Group couldn't afford another hit.

Whitney turned on her heel in the hallway, determined to head to the Sheldon Group. If Cody, someone so capable, had called her, he must be feeling helpless.

"Whitney, where are you headed?" Parker's deep voice stopped her in her tracks. "Don't go just yet. The doctor from the ICU just told me your mom might be waking up."

"What?"

Whitney spun around, her gaze sharp and direct. Two days ago, after a grueling 12-hour surgery, her mother had been moved to intensive care, on a ventilator, her breathing faint and fragile.

There had been no response from her, despite the blood test results confirming she wasn't poisoned, just like Ryan had said. The specialist had explained, "She has six fractures, no poison in her system, but liver tests show she took hallucinogens before the accident, which left her disoriented and unable to help herself after the fall. She also has a severe lung infection from being submerged in water for too long."

"Ms. Valentine, we've done everything we can. Her resilience during surgery was remarkable—after an hour of resuscitation, her heart began to beat again. It's a miracle. Maybe deep down, she still has a strong connection to this world. Now, we can only wait for her to wake up through sheer willpower."

Whitney had been grateful beyond words for the doctor's efforts. Seeing her mother on the stretcher, covered by a surgical sheet, had brought tears to her eyes. Her mother seemed so delicate.

Her father had told her about the two falls—first, when Bryce and Florence had cruelly tossed her mother over, where she'd miraculously clung to a branch until her father found her. He'd then had no choice but to jump with her into the canyon's turbulent waters for a chance to save her.

Perhaps her mother's unfinished business was her daughter, Whitney guessed. Parisa's incredible strength of will meant she wanted to survive and see her daughter again.

The thought that her mother might be waking up left Whitney dazed. She rushed towards Parker, who stood by the ICU's corner.

Parker steadied her trembling shoulders, urging calm. "Whitney, is Florence really going after the Sheldon Group?"

When she reached the door of the room, a line of doctors stood outside, including the tall figure of Shane.

Everyone was silent.

This silence made Whitney's heart pound like a drum. She was both anxious and hopeful, cautiously confirming, "Doctor, is it true my mother really woke up?"

Shane smiled, "The specialists said she opened her eyes just a moment ago. She’s probably looking for someone right now. It's been, what, over a decade since you two last saw each other, right? Whitney, you should go in."

Whitney's eyes moistened, and suddenly, she felt a hand holding her back.

She turned around, and to her surprise, it was Hudson. Her father sat in a wheelchair, being pushed by a nurse. His sharp features were shadowed by the backlight, rendering his expression inscrutable. But Whitney could see the heaviness and darkness in Hudson’s eyes. He gazed into the room, but seemed hesitant, as if nervous about returning home after a long time. In a restrained, husky voice, he said, "Whitney, go in and see her!"

"Dad, come with me..."

"I'll stay here," Hudson replied softly, avoiding her gaze. "She just woke up; I don't want to overwhelm her. You should have a good reunion. Parisa will surely recognize you."

Whitney's eyes welled up with tears again, but she didn't push him. She opened the door to the room, her heart aching, and looked towards the bed. "Mom..."