Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 514

Three days later.

Whitney had everything arranged in Hudson's hospital room—she hired a caregiver and personally interviewed a few bodyguards to ensure round-the-clock protection. Her acute gastritis had flared up but was now under control and no longer painful. The doctors assured her that there were no other health issues. Whitney felt the same and was discharged from the hospital.

That morning, Parker rushed to the hospital, planning to drive her back to the hotel. But Bryce had arrived first. As soon as he entered the room, Parker saw Bryce packing Whitney's bags. Parker's eyes narrowed fiercely as he walked in. Whitney smiled at him, but it was a polite, distant smile. Silently cursing Ludwik under his breath, Parker realized Whitney wasn't too keen on dealing with him anymore.

"Ms. Valentine, all set to go? I can drive you back to the hotel," Parker said, a hint of a smirk on his face as he glanced at Bryce, mocking his attentiveness.

Whitney looked at Parker and declined, "Mr. Doonan, that won't be necessary."

"It's no trouble at all; Ludwik himself insisted!"

Bryce turned around, a deep smile in his eyes, "I'm afraid that makes Whitney even less inclined to accept Mr. Doonan's offer."

Whitney's silence spoke volumes. She walked over to Bryce, grabbed her bag, and said, "Really, Mr. Doonan, it's okay." She calmly walked out of the room. Bryce gently supported her slender waist as they left. Parker felt a surge of annoyance bubble up inside him and let out a long sigh.

"Whitney!" he called out, determined to catch up, "I've got something to say to you. You wouldn't deny me a moment, would you?"

Bryce's eyes narrowed, "Whitney, Mr. Doonan here just wants to put in a good word for Ludwik..."

Whitney knew. But she could feel Parker's genuine concern for her. She paused, turning slightly, "Bryce, could you please wait for me in the car?"

As Parker approached, he once again glanced at Bryce, whose mood seemed off, "You're quite formal with him, aren't you?"

Bryce clenched his jaw. Whitney walked to a quieter spot in the corridor, "Mr. Doonan, if this is about Ludwik, I'd rather not."

Parker's glasses caught the light as he spoke, "I just want to point out some truths you're probably already aware of. You were willing to come back to Banyan City to investigate Natalie's condition for Ludwik's sake. Whitney, can't you see his engagement to Florence is just a strategic delay? His goal is simply to extract information from her to safely rescue Sammy. Because it's your child, he doesn't want to burn all bridges!

Want to know the real deal? We've investigated Florence; she has no slip-ups. That's why Ludwik is resorting to this tactic, baiting Florence, waiting for her to slip up. And the reason he hasn't acted against Florence yet is that Ludwik needs something from her."

The spinal cord.

Whitney understood. But that didn't mean she approved of his foolish decision to sacrifice his marriage. He was a man used to going his own way, with his own plans and strategies. Why should she forgive his so-called difficulties? Why should she play along with his games, allowing him to hurt her over and over again? No. She wouldn't allow it.

Seeing Whitney silent, Parker grew anxious, "I think you could try to see things from his perspective. He's especially guilty about Sammy, wanting to give you back a son unharmed. He also wants Natalie to recover. It's just a month! Whitney, why can't you try to understand his feelings?"