Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



In the corporate world of The Sheldon Group, whispers about Florence's favoritism weren't uncommon. At a board meeting, a shareholder sneered, "Seriously, why is Whitney even here? She's just not over it, wants to try her luck against Ms. Sheldon for a position at the headquarters."

Florence sensed Hugh's discomfort, especially today, with the secret of the stolen company seal and shares possibly being out. She tried to deflect, standing up, her voice soft and vulnerable as she addressed Whitney, "You're welcome to work at the headquarters. Hugh never meant to exclude you. Weren't you busy with your own startup lately? Stirring up quite the buzz..."

Her words hung in the air as she glanced at Emma, who immediately thought of the scandal involving Whitney, rumored to be entangled with Ludwik Lippert, dragging dear Florence into the mess.

Emma's demeanor cooled instantly. "Florence, don't bother lifting her up. Even if you'd let her into the company, I wouldn't. How can someone who runs a no-name company fit into The Sheldon Group? Her reputation is far from clean. Whitney, this meeting isn't for you. You wouldn't understand shareholder matters. Please, leave."

Hugh, unable to hide his fury, commanded, "If mother says so, security, escort her out. She's not to step foot here without my say."

Whitney glanced at Jared and the elderly lady, a chill passing through her gaze. She might have been worried about the truth hurting them, but it seemed the elderly lady was also fooled by Florence, blinded by deception.

Ignoring the astonished looks from everyone, Whitney confidently approached the podium, her gaze icy as she faced Hugh. "Before I go, I think I'll help Hugh wrap up this meeting."

"What did you just say?" Holly jumped at the chance to stir trouble, "Deputy Director, she can't disrupt things like this. Get her out now."

"What's the rush, Holly? Afraid I'll spill some secrets?" Whitney shot back, sensing Holly's unease.

The air tightened as Whitney continued, "Hugh, didn't you have something to announce? Or are you scared to tell? Scared to reveal how just moments ago, you abducted Cody, stole my father's company seal, and forced Cody to hand over my dad's shares to you, solidifying your control over the company?"

"Shut up! Stop making up stories and causing division," Hugh retorted, his face tense.

Whitney smirked, pulling out a video testimony from her bag, playing it for all to hear. "Did Hugh send you to the hospital to kill Mr. Sheldon?"

"Yes, we tried before but failed. Recently, he ordered us again."

"What did he instruct?"

"He said the chairman was as good as dead, to knock out the nurse and give him a lethal injection. It would look like a seizure."

The recording echoed in the room, faces turning various shades of shock and disbelief.

Jared and the elderly lady were in utter disbelief.

The elderly lady turned to Hugh, "What is this nonsense? You and your brother were close. How could you?"

Hugh defended himself, "Mother, Whitney is fabricating this to tarnish my reputation. I've always looked up to my brother, why would I harm him?"

"Yeah, mom, Hugh cared for Hudson deeply. Whitney, what are you trying to do?" Holly stood up, leading the charge against Whitney.

The shareholders murmured among themselves, increasingly viewing Whitney with disdain. "How could you fabricate such lies? Even if you wanted into the company, this is low."

Whitney knew they might turn on her, requiring more than just accusations.

She then turned to Florence, pulling

out a brown paper envelope and spreading it for all to see. "Why was Hugh in such a rush to eliminate dad? What or who was he

e-my

protecting, and who did he want to inherit the company? This paternity test will explain everything."

"A paternity test? Between who?" a shareholder stood, intrigued.

Holly and Hugh's faces drained of color as the document was revealed. "This... this shows Deputy Director Hugh and Ms. Sheldon are father and daughter."

The room erupted in disbelief.

Florence's face went pale, her grip tightening around the chair.

"Father and daughter?" Jared couldn't stay calm any longer, the implications dawning on him and the rest of the room.noveldrama

The elderly gentleman slammed his hand down, "What are you trying to do, Whitney? Disgrace the Sheldon family with such accusations?"

Whitney calmly suggested, "Perhaps grandfather should ask Holly and Hugh directly."

"It's not me who brought shame to the Sheldon family, it's them! Twenty years ago, they were the ones who disgraced the Sheldon name!"

"Shut your mouth," Holly said, her

et

face pale as she started to cry miserably Whitney, what have I ever done to you for you to slander me like this, to fabricate a paternity test to frame me, to frame Florence? She's frail and sickly, why would you want to harm her so?

She is Hudson's legitimate daughter, don't I know that? Your tactics are despicable, your thoughts malicious!"

Hearing Holly defend herself like this made Hugh's heart ache.

He could never publicly acknowledge that he was Florence's biological father...

Lost in thought, Whitney caught his eye and smirked, "Hugh, why so silent?

Could it be that it pains you, seeing your own daughter right before your eyes yet unable to acknowledge her?

So, for years, you've been lying low, pretending to be disabled and disinterested in business, while secretly having a torrid affair with my stepmother!

Waiting for the day when you could

orchestrate an accident, have

someone shoot my dad, leaving him in a coma, so you could then graciously accept Grandpa's offer to join the Sheldon Group.

To then unfold your grand plans, for Florence, for your little family of three, to swallow up the entire Sheldon Group in a power grab?"