Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"What did he do?" Hudson asked, feigning a stern expression with a hint of a smile. "If Ludwik's giving you a hard time, you better tell me, sweetheart. I'll make sure he regrets it! Remember how he practically begged me, saying he'd do anything to win you back?"

Whitney felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her and quickly stood up, eager to change the subject.

"Don't worry about your daughter getting bullied," she said with a playful raise of her eyebrows, offering her dad a reassuring smile. "Remember what I told you too much worrying makes you sick. Let it go, Dad. Don't make Mom sad up there in heaven."

"I know, I know," Hudson replied, though his gaze lingered on the framed photo across the room.

Whitney realized just how deeply her father still cared, a truth that had eluded her until this very moment. It was heartwarming to know her mom was still remembered fondly, even if she'd left too soon.

Blinking back tears, Whitney quietly turned off the study's light and slipped out.

In the grand living room of the Sheldon Mansion, her grandfather was no longer in his chair. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was past nine.

The family butler approached, ready to escort her out. "The old master has retired for the night. He instructed me to see you out with a light once you left Mr. Sheldon's study. Miss, the old man really likes you now."

Whitney knew the butler was trying to curry favor, noting her recent standing in the Sheldon family. Once an outsider, she'd become indispensable to Hudson, while Florence, once the apple of her grandmother's eye, seemed a relic of the past.

With Holly banished and Uncle Hugh no longer residing here, Ms. Sheldon had seemingly vanished from the scene. It was clear whose favor mattered now.

Whitney chuckled inwardly at the butler's attempt to be diplomatic. She never intended to play power games at the mansion and had no desire to live in such an environment. She simply replied, "With no lady of the house around, please take good care of my father."

"Mr. Sheldon is doing well," the butler assured her. "But the old lady, she's always worrying. If she's not fretting over Sienna Turner's wedding, she's thinking about finding Mr. Sheldon a new wife. A mother's concern, I suppose."

Whitney was thunderstruck. Her grandmother's controlling nature was no surprise, but matchmaking for her dad? Surely Hudson would have none of it.

With a sardonic smile, Whitney instructed, "If Grandma really finds such a woman, let my dad know. He'll handle it as he sees fit. If he's willing to marry, I won't stand in the way."

She knew Hudson wouldn't remarry, having learned that tonight. The butler nodded earnestly, agreeing, "I too think the old lady's overstepping. Mr. Sheldon just got divorced. She should focus on finding Sienna a match."

Whitney, catching the name Sienna, remembered her cousin's infatuation with Shane Nelson. But Shane was involved with Sandy Turner, and they even had a child together. Could it be...

"The wedding she's planning for Sienna, is it with the Nelsons?" she suddenly asked.

The butler paused, surprised. "How did you know, Miss? Yes, it's with the Nelson Mansion up on Brew Hill."

Whitney groaned internally. Surely not Shane? Sienna would stop at nothing to get her way!

With a chill in her eyes, Whitney pondered whether she should warn Sandy about this.

Driving down from Brew Hill, she passed the opulent estates, each more impressive than the last. Brew Hill was the epicenter of Emperor City's elite, starting with the Lippert Resort at the summit, followed by the Nelson Mansion, the Sheldon Mansion, and other newer affluent families' homes. Some newly-built villas at the base remained for sale, a badge of honor for the wealthy who could afford them, signifying their elevated status.

As she reached the entrance gates, Whitney was about to pay the parking fee when she caught sight of two familiar figures outside a real estate office.

Her heart sank. It was Hugh in a wheelchair, accompanied by Holly.

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The pair, along with a servant pushing the wheelchair, were speaking with a sales manager. Holly clung to Hugh, exuding an air of undeserved authority, their intimate posture both shocking and sickening.

Whitney was appalled. These two, disgraced and exiled, had the nerve to show their faces on Brew Hill?

If her father saw this, it would surely add to his burdens.

With a cool frown, Whitney decided to confront them and got out of the car.

The sound of her car door slamming shut drew their attention.

Under the streetlights, Holly turned and froze upon seeing Whitney approach, her expression turning hostile.

But Holly's shock was fleeting, soon replaced by a venomous glare, as if she could shred Whitney with her stare alone.

"You little brat, what are you doing here? Coming to say hello to your uncle?" Holly spat defensively.

Hugh turned his gaze towards Whitney, his eyes cold and calculating, though he wore a twisted smile. "Whitney, just back from visiting your dad?"

"Oh, so you two actually remember this is Brew Hill, the territory of the Sheldon Mansion," Whitney retorted, her eyes narrowing as she looked at them.

She glanced at the real estate office, her mind piecing things together with a cold chuckle. "What's this, checking out houses in the middle of the night, are we?"

"Holly, where do you get the nerve to come house hunting with your little fling here? Planning to build a cozy

little love nest at the foot of Brew Hill? My dad lives right up there, you know!"

"Do you have no shame? My dad still cares about his reputation, even if you don't care about yours!"

"Shut up, you sharp-tongued brat!" Holly shouted, her face contorting with anger. "Just because you're running the Sheldon Group now and pushed Florence out, you think you can insult me?"

"Where I choose to buy a house is none of your business."

The real estate manager, who knew Holly well from her frequent visits to the old mansion when she was still Mrs. Sheldon, stayed silent. In this business, money talks, and it wasn't his place to judge.

But now, with Whitney's sharp words cutting through the air, Hugh and Holly looked like they'd been exposed, faces flushed with embarrassment. Whitney ignored Holly's outburst, turning directly to Hugh. "Uncle, if you still consider yourself part of the Sheldon family, you should stop engaging in disgraceful acts like this."noveldrama

"You've been sidelined, but it's only because my dad still respects family ties that you're not facing consequences."

"Otherwise, the stunts you pulled at the Sheldon Group would have landed you in jail for quite a few years!"