Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"I've finally found you, and I really hope you can understand my pettiness.

I'm just so scared, I can't lose you..."

She immediately turned on the waterworks, rushing over to try and hug Parisa, hoping to derail her questions.

But this time, Parisa wasn't having any of it. She wasn't swayed by Florence's pitiful act and even stepped away slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line, her expression icy.

"You don't need to cry, I'm not mad at you. But your strong opposition today has left me puzzled. The matters of my work aren't something you should interfere with, Florence, do you get that?"

Annoyed yet powerless, Florence could only nod obediently, "Mom, do we really have to go back to Harmonia Country?"

"Yes, we have to.

That's enough, no need to say more. I'll take care of our safety.

And you, if you recover from your injuries, I hope you'll come with me. After all, that's where you grew up. You said you've been wronged, but with me there, you have nothing to fear.

Florence, show me around your grandparents and your uncle's hometown, and their graves too.

There are many places from the past that need you to guide us!"

Listening to her, Florence's mind was elsewhere.

All she could think about was Parisa's firm decision to return to Harmonia Country!

Whitney and Ludwik were both in Emperor City. If Parisa went back, she might run into her biological daughter.

The thought alone was terrifying.

Her struggle with Ludwik in Germinia, all for naught.

All because of that damn Inko Group suddenly facing trouble.

Florence was seething inside, but dared not voice her frustration any further. Parisa was already suspicious of her opposition. If she continued, it might only worsen Parisa's opinion of her, making her more suspicious.

Her thoughts were a mess, barely keeping her composure, the darkness in her eyes desperately concealed.

And so, Parisa 'invited' her out, her gaze returning to the computer, her expression growing even more somber.

As soon as Florence left the office, Parisa glanced at the now-empty doorway.

When Erik returned, Parisa suddenly ordered, "Tell the manor's butler to keep a close eye on Florence for the next few days, quietly. See who she's talking to, what she's actually up to?"

"Do you find Miss Florence's words today a bit..."

"Incredible. Suddenly meddling in my company affairs, tell me, would a daughter who has just recognized her mother meddle so freely in her business?"

Erik shook his head, "Normally, the newly found familial bond would still feel unfamiliar, and she certainly wouldn't meddle in what are, to her, private matters."

"Exactly. Her opposition to my return seems to have some motive.

Check what her relationship with that Bryce really is. I can't help but feel it's not as simple as being grateful to him.

Could it be that in trying to repay him, she's overly pushing for Mr. Lutz to benefit as well?"

Parisa's voice was cold, her gaze even icier, "If that's the case, she's meddling far too much for a young lady, and is far too scheming."

Erik nodded, trying to comfort her, "Chairwoman, maybe she's just trying to repay Bryce, or perhaps, she's fallen for Mr. Lutz?"

Parisa was uncertain, but Florence's actions today had definitely put her off.

She was a strong woman, not one to let inexperienced hands meddle in her business.

Moreover, she felt the need to return to Harmonia Country to personally investigate Ludwik.

Florence's framing of this man seemed too deliberate.

What was he really like? Only a personal investigation would reveal the truth...

Meanwhile, Florence, fuming with anger, rushed back to the manor.

The blond, blue-eyed butler greeted her with the staff, but she ignored them, hurrying upstairs to her room and locking the door firmly behind her. Alone, her facade of calm vanished, replaced by anxiety and frustration.

Now what?

She had never expected Parisa to insist on returning to Harmonia Country, throwing all their plans into disarray.

Panicking, her fingers trembling, she quickly dialed Bryce's number.

After several attempts, Bryce finally picked up.

Florence was on the verge of exploding, "Mr. Lutz, what on earth are you doing? Why didn't you answer my calls!

I've got bad news. I went to see Parisa, hoping to sort things out.

But no, Parisa's dead set on going back to Harmonia Country!

Now what? Our plan never included her going back there.

And with Inko Group facing all these troubles - stock crashes, credibility crises, insider tech theft - a whole mess that could bankrupt the company. And you! You're in Emperor City, didn't you see this news brewing?

Why didn't you give me a heads up, let me prepare, instead of letting me rush into Parisa's office making a fool of myself? She didn't even give you a chance, and now I'm the one in trouble.

Parisa's looking at me funny now, what kind of job are you doing?"

She vented her frustration, oblivious to Bryce's increasingly dark mood on the other end.noveldrama

Bryce was even more furious, standing outside the police station, his secretary showing him the recent news about Inko Group. He hadn't even finished going through it when Florence's incessant nagging hit him.

Causing more trouble than help.

With a darkly sarcastic tone, he snapped, "I just got out of a three-day detention. Do I look like a miracle worker to you?"

"I've told you time and time again, you need to bond with Parisa, make her trust and like you. Once you've got that, she'll agree to anything you say.

But here we are, because you couldn't handle your own business..."

"It's not that I didn't handle my

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business! It's the Inko Group, they've gone into chaos out of nowhere. Please, get your facts straight," Florence retorted with equal irritation, "You're in Emperor City, you're supposed to be on top of these things. You should have informed me, given me a heads up so I could've prepared, looked for other solutions.

You have no idea, just now in the office, Parisa insisted on going back to Harmonia Country. I had to firmly stand my ground to stop her.

After a whole ordeal, she ended up giving me an earful. I was left fuming."

"I've been keeping up with the news on Inko Group!" Bryce interrupted her impatiently.

Glancing up, his gaze dark and

foreboding, he stared at his secretary. His eyes briefly flitted to

the police station's entrance, a sight he found displeasing, and without a second's hesitation, he slapped his secretary across the face!

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Bryce, too, was beside himself with anger, "I'm locked up in a cell, and you, out there, couldn't bother to gather information? 72 hours, and not a single person thought to inform me about the situation at Inko Group, idiot!"

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