Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 422

Ludwik glanced down at Florence, concern etched deeply on his face.

The young woman, anxiety written all over her, hurriedly shook her head at him. "Grandma was just panicked.

How could she drag you into this, Ludwik? When it comes to the company's wealth, I... | really wasn't interested.

But, you know, Dad truly adores my sister." "He showers her with lavish gifts, and it might upset Mom, and

naturally, it would upsettoo. But | don't want to put you in a tough spot; I'll get over my sadness in no time."

Her attempt to stop him cwith a bitter smile, yet her cheeks were pale, her breathing heavy, a tear

shimmering in the corner of her eye, clearly distressed, as if she might faint any second!

Ludwik furrowed his brow, remembering the doctor's advice - he couldn't let her condition worsen. Any emotional

turmoil could prove too much for her fragile heart, potentially endangering her ability to undergo a crucial blood

transfusion for her mother. Yet, the Sheldon family remained oblivious to her plight.

His heart chilled, Ludwik finally stopped looking at Whitney, his tone icy as he addressed Jared, "10% of the

shares isn't a trivial matter. Such a grand gift for a daughter who's just returned seems excessive. Florence

deserves her fair share too. If she's not up to managing it, she could always appoint a professional manager. You

can't mistreat her, favoring one over the other just because she's not versed in business matters."

Whitney, gripping the woman in her arms, finished her piece.

‘Favoritism?’ She stared at his indifferent face, feeling the sting of betrayal. How could he express such

favoritism towards Florence in front of her, his ex-wife, with whom he shared two sons? Had he forgotten all their

shared moments?

In his bid to secure benefits for Florence, he had coldly slapped Whitney in the face with his indifference,

embarrassing her publicly.

Returning to the Sheldon family, she wasn't saddened or frightened. But his joining forces against her, siding

with those who wished to ‘exclude’ her, inflicted a deep, piercing pain. Once again, his indifference had defeated

her. Whitney clenched the edge of the table to steady herself.

A cold smirk floated in her eyes as she let out a clear laugh, "So, this is what Ludwik thinks!"

Ludwik's expression stiffened, his features becoming inscrutable.

Florence glanced at the defeated Whitney, a touch of emotion crossing her face. "Ludwik, you've really made an

enemy of my sister for my sake... why bother?"

With a heavy sigh, he wasn't doing it for her, but for her 'well-being,' "Feeling better, Florence?"

"With what you just said, I'm not sad at all. Even if Dad gave all the shares to my sister, I'd be happy for her..."

"That's good. Just calm down, Florence," he reassured her gently.

Whitney felt a bitter taste spread in her mouth as she bit down, drawing blood. As they flaunted their affection

without restraint, with Florence's coquettish complaints and Ludwik's anxious concern, her eyes reddened with

rage.

She hadn't intended to fight for the inheritance; the Sheldon family's wealth meant nothing to her, with her

pride, capability, and career. But at that moment, her heart shattered, anger overwhelming her.

Was it so that the honest are always outmaneuvered by the seemingly innocent, losing both their men and their

inheritance? She could let go of the inheritance, but now, she saw it as a weapon.

Whitney, don't be foolish! Was Ludwik saying she couldn't have it? That she couldn't touch Florence's slice of the

pie? She'd take it, just to spite him!

Whitney abruptly turned to Hudson, her expression cold, "The gift Dad intended forhasn't even been

discussed by me, yet Grandma, Holly, and my sister have had plenty to say. And sirrelevant voices have

chimed in too. Well, I'm making my stance clear now. | appreciate Dad's gesture, and I'm taking it!" Whitney

confidently claimed Hudson's documents, her lips curled in defiance.

Holly and Florence's expressions shifted. Despite the opposition, Whitney had boldly claimed her right.

"How shameless can you be?" Sienna exploded, unable to contain her fury at Whitney's audacity. "See, 10% of

the shares, and she can't sit still. Fighting over Florence's share, utterly disgraceful!"

"Does this 10% belong to Miss Sienna? If not, why the input? Is this how all the high society ladies in Emperor

City behave? Lacking manners, sneering and looking down on others, shouting and making demands? What a

revelation for someone from the countryside like me." Whitney's retort was sharp, yet her voice remained soft

and pleasant, even when delivering insults.

"You!" Sienna was speechless, caught off guard by Whitney's sudden outburst, stomping her foot in frustration.

The grandmother sided with her granddaughter, disdainfully addressing Whitney, "You just couldn't wait to grab

what Hudson offered, showing no humility. There's a clear difference between people. Florence was swallowing

her grievances, considering your feelings as the newcomer. Yet, you fear missing out, showing your true colors.

Ludwik was right; you don't deserve the 10% stake in the Sheldon Group!"

Whitney scoffed internally, knowing Florence's act of playing the victim was to manipulate Ludwik into defending

her, aiming straight for her heart.

She stood up, her tone even, "What kind of demeanor deserves the 10% stake then? Dad, I'm curious, was the

Sheldon Group built on kindness, weakness, and humility? Grandma, you must know, given your formidable past,

that the company grew through capability and strategy, not through indulgence."

Her words, layered with sarcasm, drew Florence and the grandmother into her critique.

Florence's facade cracked, realizing Whitney was mocking her openly!

Grandma Martha's face turned into a mask of rigid displeasure as she scolded, "And just who gave you the gall

to speak towith such a tone? Hudson, look at her. She has no manners. Does she even resemble a member

of the Sheldon Group?" Hudson rubbed his temples, feeling the headache coming on.

Whitney, with a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, retorted, "Since Grandma thinks I'm uncouth, I might

as well play the villain once. 10% of the shares, I'm clearly more capable of handling them than my sister. I'm in

good health, entered the business world at 18, and understand how companies operate. From jewelry to real

estate, I've dipped my toes in several hot industries. | might not be an expert, but | do run Skye Gem Ltd., and

it's doing pretty well under my watch. My sister claims she's too frail and weak-willed for such pursuits, not

interested in competing for for fortune. It seems she truly doesn't care about the shares..."

Florence was seething inside, her sister's words earlier had seemed to work in her favor. But now, Whitney was

turning the tables on her.

Whitney's gaze sharpened as she looked directly at Florence, "Since my sister shuns the limelight, and | thrive on

competition, taking those shares and working for Dad seems like the perfect arrangement. How can anyone say

‘Dad favorsover her, we bully the ignorant sister'? What do you think, Dad?"

These last words were aimed directly at Ludwik, whose expression chilled considerably. Was she always this

vindictive, aiming to corner him?