Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Curiosity getting the better of him, Sammy felt there were too many things to investigate if he was to successfully blend in here. So he shook his head innocently, "Nope, what strange lady?"

Ludwik breathed a sigh of relief. This kid, Daniel, was behaving so well, almost like a different person. What was his game?

Elaine's gaze was cool and piercing as she watched the boy.

Feeling scrutinized by the woman, Sammy's eyes darted before he reached out a small hand, "Daddy, I'm sleepy. Can you take me to my room?" He had no idea where the room was!

Ludwik smiled, about to pick him up, when he suddenly noticed the vicious nail marks on his son's wrist. "What happened here?" Sammy quickly glanced at Elaine, speaking with tentative caution, "Mommy pinched me a while ago. I think it was an accident."

Ludwik turned, his eyes questioning. He was already somewhat blaming Elaine for the night's events with Danny.

"What are you talking about, Danny?" Elaine was taken aback by the sudden accusation and inwardly seethed at the boy, but quickly she resorted to her usual act, "Why would Mommy pinch you, dear? I must have been too eager to see you and got a bit too firm. Ludwik, my nails are a bit long tonight..."

Ludwik gently traced the marks on the tender skin, which seemed to have been made with considerable force. He didn't want to believe Elaine had malicious intentions; after all, she had raised Danny since he was little. But his tone was stern, "Elaine, as a mother, you should keep your nails trimmed!"

With that, he carried his son upstairs.

"Ludwik," Elaine followed, eager to speak with him. She hadn't had a proper conversation with him all evening, having been preoccupied with the boy. Whitney, that wicked woman, had made a dramatic return tonight, publicly humbling her into the role of the other woman. Elaine's plans to take over Skye Gem Ltd. had also gone down the drain.

She needed to vent and turn Ludwik's sympathies back in her favor!

Moreover, Ludwik had been visibly stirred by that woman's antics, and Elaine was desperate to prove it was a fluke, to reconnect with him...

"What is it?" Ludwik turned back.

Sensing his cool demeanor, perhaps due to the nail marks, Elaine swiftly changed her tune, "You've been looking for your son all night, and you must be tired. Let me take care of him. I'll give Danny a bath and tuck him in, then I'll fix you some late-night snacks, okay?"

Her caring offer softened Ludwik's expression, "Okay."

Elaine immediately kept pace with them.

Outside the nursery, Sammy noted, this must be where the 'little master' stayed. Filled with curiosity yet cautious of revealing himself, he said, "I think I'll rest a bit on my own before bath time."

Elaine smiled warmly, "No problem, Mommy will wait right here for you!"

Ludwik's phone rang just then, and he nodded before heading to his office to answer it. As the man left, Elaine's gaze turned icy as she watched the nursery door close with a click.

Inside-

Sammy surveyed the luxurious room with wonder! What did the 'little master' who lived here actually look like, capable of being mistaken for him by his wretched dad...

Sammy's brain whirred as his little legs darted around, eventually stopping by the desk. He quickly found a photo frame in the cab, took it out, and his eyes widened in surprise

Holy smokes, was that his own picture?!

No, the little boy in the photo looked stern, dressed in an expensive suit, with thin lips pursed, staring lonesomely into the camera.

Was this the little master named Danny? He sure looked just as handsome as himself! Except with a sour expression...

Sammy then discovered some small models, albums, and a signature stamp: Daniel Lippert.

He pondered...

He had thought this 'little master' was the offspring of the wicked woman and the worthless dad. But, if he looked exactly like himself, could it be he had a brother?

Mommy had never mentioned having another son, a brother, or a sister for him? And it seemed his dad didn't know about Sammy's existence either... What was going on? Did he actually have a little brother?

With his mind full of questions and a resolve to uncover the truth, Sammy decided it was necessary to stay here a few more days. But where was the real Danny at this moment...?

"Danny, are you ready yet?" The ominous voice of the woman sounded from outside the door.

To avoid suspicion, Sammy swiftly put the photo frame away and rushed to the closet, his eyes sweeping over a row of dull little suits, his mouth twitching. This 'little master' was indeed raised to be so joyless.

However... glancing down at his own Big Mouth Monkey tracksuit, he suddenly understood the odd looks from his dad earlier. Quickly slipping into a little shirt, Sammy opened the door.

Impatient, Elaine glanced at the closed office door, then yanked the boy's collar and dragged him into the bathroom. Once the door shut, she tossed Sammy to the floor, "What's with the dawdling? You think I'm here to pamper you?"

Her true vicious nature revealed, Sammy inwardly scoffed and stood with a smile, "Sorry, Mommy."

"...," Elaine paused, eyeing him closely. Then she scoffed, "Oh, learned some tricks, have we? Used to be as silent as a mouse... But now you're quite the chatterbox, huh? Daring to snitch on me downstairs! I think you haven't had enough hardship, you little bastard..."

She hissed the insults, eyeing the boy's slender frame. The frustration from Whitney's treatment of her earlier that evening was about to explode.

"Go, stand in the tub and wash up," Elaine said with a sinister smile. Whitney, you don't know, do you? Your sickly child is in my hands. Tonight, after making me drink from the toilet, I'll take it out on your kid.

Sammy's eyes narrowed as he obediently stepped into the water-filled bathtub. Before he could stabilize himself, his head was suddenly thrust underwater by the woman's forceful hand!

"Ah...!" He gasped as he was submerged.

"Hah," Elaine watched with delight as the boy struggled to breathe, ready to inflict more pain with a few well-placed needles in inconspicuous spots. Suddenly, her wrist froze, and the silver needle she held changed direction, stabbing toward her temple.

"Ah, what are you doing, you little fiend..." Elaine cried out in pain and dizziness, hardly believing the agility of the supposedly frail child.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Sammy's heart was cold. It seemed his little brother had been bullied like this before? He wasn't Daniel, though. Despite his asthma, he had been toughened up by his mother from a young age, learning more than a few good punches.

Sammy sat listlessly, tears brimming in his eyes, "Mommy, why are you pushing my head down? I can't breathe. Please don't hit me..."

"Look what happens when you don't behave. And you dare to fight back..."

Elaine's anger was uncontrollable. She pulled out a pin from her hair, ready to jab at the child again.

"Help, somebody help me!" In a sudden move, Sammy smashed a soap dish, creating noise to signal for help-

In the study, did Ludwik hear something?

He was on the phone with Felix, "Mr. Lippert, I've found that Ms. Valentine fled to the states years ago. With the help of Bryce, she managed to live with her cousin Yael Tennyson, but her occupation, lifestyle, and social connections in Maelstrom Country are all a mystery. She came back because Keegan was suddenly sentenced to death for murder in prison, and also because of Skye Gem Ltd. Any other motives are unclear."

Ludwik's lips thinned. Her three years abroad were a complete blank. What was she trying to hide?

"Mr. Lippert, I've located Ms. Valentine's current residence. Do you need the information?"

"Why would I need that? I'm not interested in her!" Ludwik sounded eager to dismiss the scene in the restroom that had stirred him. He spoke irritably.

"1

...,

," Felix silently zipped his lips.

At that moment, Elaine's wails suddenly echoed from outside the door-

Ludwik hurriedly hung up the phone and rushed out, "What happened?"

"Sir, Elaine has been struck by the young master in the bathroom!" The maid, Lyra, immediately ran over to report.

"What?" Ludwik's expression tightened, a shadow crossing his face as he strode into the bathroom.