Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1025

Her cheeks were flushed with a silent embarrassment as she nodded, lashes lowered, in a manner that was all too hasty. "Uncle, please don't worry about me. It's this worrying that's got you all restless, even Grandpa came to you in a dream."

Keegan gave her a helpless look, a mix of amusement and seriousness in his gaze as he shook his head. "I can't help but think Grandpa's visit in my dream was a metaphor. We all thought your mom didn't stand a chance.

But what if, just what if…"

Hearing this, Whitney's expression subtly shifted, a pang of dull pain in her heart. Could there be such a 'what if'?

There was no evidence to suggest her mom could still be alive. After all, her uncle had witnessed the explosion himself, and it had been several years. If there was any news, they would have known by now.

She gave a bitter smile, "More than anyone, I wish there was a one in a million chance my mom was still alive. You don't know how much I missed her during those tough years, when the Valentine family was barely hanging on."

"Dreams might just be dreams," Keegan also sadly shook his head. "Alright, I didn't mean to upset you by bringing this up today. They've been gone for so long, their souls at peace. You should head back soon, weren't you meant to be looking after the kids?"

"Please take care of yourself, especially with your health not being great lately. I'll come back the day after tomorrow to keep you company."

"There's no need, Yael's here with me, she's so sensible. Aren't you reassured by that? Focus on your big tasks, Emperor City's situation is still unstable, and your uncle isn't naive," Keegan advised her with a more somber look.

Whitney then stood up, patting his frail hand, and glanced towards the kitchen with a smile, "It's still early. Ludwik should be with the kids. Let me make you your favorite bowl of chicken noodle soup before I go."

"Sure." Keegan smiled, a trace of weariness on his face.

-

Ludwik had just arrived at Emperor City Neurology Hospital.

Parker's bodyguard came out to greet him, respectfully leading him towards the OR.

The private ward's corridor, heavily guarded by the Wilson family's security, was completely sealed off. The wide corridor glowed with a stark, cold light, leading directly to the surgery room at the end.

Ludwik made his way past the impenetrable security, his gaze finally resting on Parker's face, "Parker."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a young, aristocratic woman sitting quietly next to Parker, a ten-year-old boy beside her.

Ludwik pondered for a moment.

"Parker, you're here," Parker turned around, his handsome features cold as ice, striding towards him.

Following his gaze, Parker introduced in a low, strict voice, "This is my uncle's wife, and their ten-year-old son."

Ludwik, not familiar with Phineas's family background, was quite surprised.

Understanding the question in Ludwik's dark eyes, Parker sighed, "Although my uncle is the chairman, our family is small. His first marriage was far from perfect, and he only married his current wife in his late thirties, hence the young child. That's why he and my mother are so close. He worried about the Inko Group not having an heir due to his age, which is why he's always been particularly supportive of me."

I see.

Ludwik had noticed Phineas's favoritism and support for Parker before.

He had assumed Phineas's family to be vast and complex, expecting a multitude of relatives and shareholders from within the company to be present in such a crisis, each with their own agendas, possibly challenging Parker's authority.

But that was not the case.

Ludwik's expression softened, his sharp gaze filled with contemplation, thinking about the operational structure of the Inko Group, "It seems your uncle had significant control within Inko Group."