Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Florence smiled gently, "I get why you're eager to head back to Harmonia Country. You're probably longing to pay your respects to Grandpa and Uncle, right?

I understand the hardship you're feeling.

Since you've made up your mind, I'll accompany you back. I promise to keep you safe and be by your side throughout the journey.

Don't worry!"

Parisa paused, her gaze slightly stalled, not expecting Florence to suddenly become so understanding and supportive. She turned back, a subtle inquiry in her glance, and smiled lightly, "Florence, I'm glad you can see where I'm coming from. But what made you change your mind all of a sudden? You've been quite upset with me before."

Florence hesitated, trying to mask the discomfort on her face.

Was there a hidden meaning in Parisa's words?

She carefully responded with a smile, "I had a chat with my best friend this afternoon. At first, I was really venting about how you couldn't understand my worries, but she advised me not to fight with you, Mom. It made me realize my mistake.

Since you want to go back home, I'll support you.

Why should we argue, after all? You're the most important person to me, and vice versa."

Saying this, she leaned in for a warm hug with Parisa.

Parisa patted her pale wrist gently, nodding, her eyes deep in thought. This morning, Florence was against the idea, fearing the trip back home. Now, her change of attitude seemed too sudden.

Was there something hidden behind this shift?

But the housekeeper mentioned that Florence had been very well-behaved all afternoon, showing no signs of unusual behavior. Perhaps, Parisa was being overly suspicious?

Now, Florence seemed calm, not bringing up Bryce anymore.

Was it a spur-of-the-moment decision to help Bryce?

Parisa frowned deeply, softening her tone, "I'm relieved that you're supporting my decision to visit home. Don't worry about it anymore, let's have dinner. I'll give Erik a call."

With that, Parisa stood up and headed to the upstairs study.

Florence stood still behind the sofa for a moment, squinting her eyes.

She guessed Parisa must be instructing Erik to handle the company's affairs in Germinia before booking flights back home.

But with Bryce saying he had a plan, Florence wasn't panicking anymore.noveldrama

Once Parisa returned home, Bryce would be in Emperor City waiting, with his cunning schemes surely to take control of the situation.

She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, her eyes shadowed with determination.

In the mansion's upstairs study, Parisa was on the phone with Erik, indeed instructing, "Arrange a top-level corporate meeting for tomorrow. I need to hand over the current company affairs."

Erik asked, "Chairwoman, have you decided on the date for your trip to Harmonia Country?"

"Yes, contact the airline for a private jet. Also, have our corporate liaison reach out to Inko Group domestically. Tell them someone from the corporation will be dealing with the recent mishaps at Inko Group.

Firstly, to soothe the stakeholders.

Secondly, to warn them. Anyone taking advantage of the chaos should be prepared. I'll investigate the root cause once I'm back."

Erik's expression turned grave, "So, we're not revealing it's the Chairwoman herself returning?"

This was Parisa's strategy for safety.

After being away from Harmonia Country for so many years, the unresolved past and unfamiliar land made her cautious.

With Phineas incapacitated, her

father and brother gone, returning to Emperor City meant facing unknown

challenges, including pastane

feuds and a betraying lover.

Discovering her return could stir up trouble she couldn't foresee

Furthermore, considering Florence's words about Ludwik and Whitney's cunning nature, Parisa decided her visit must be kept secret, staying vigilant at all times.

"Just say someone from the

corporation is handling the internal

chaos at Inko Group," Parisa instructed, massaging her temples, her slim figure sinking into the couch She was deeply concerned, "Keep an eye on the domestic financial news. Any changes with Inko Group? Is the stock still falling?"

"I'll monitor the situation," Erik replied, regretfully informing, "The stock is still dropping. The negative impact is significant."

Parisa's gaze darkened, "We must act swiftly."

"Understood, Chairwoman. I'll start making arrangements," Erik said before hanging up.

Parisa stared at her phone, her cool gaze drifting. She moved to the wine cab, intending to open a bottle of red wine, but remembered her old injuries and ongoing headaches.

Ultimately, she left the expensive wine untouched, her gaze becoming distant and unfocused.

Just like her current state of mind, floating aimlessly, seeking solid ground.

Rarely feeling uneasy, Parisa pondered the unpredictability of revisiting Harmonia Country. Could opening the doors to her past revive long-lost memories?

Why, despite reuniting with her daughter, was there no sense of contentment?

Was it Florence's issue, or hers?

This question had intermittently troubled her, hoping a trip to Harmonia Country might provide answers.

Meanwhile, in Emperor City's night.

Next to the Inko Group skyscraper, Ludwik stood by the window, his dark eyes surveying the brightly lit building.

The fifty-story building, with its lit offices, resembled countless flickering eyes.

In the valuable Emperor City, Inko Group symbolized the pinnacle of the economy.

Yet, it was now facing a 'severe blow,' with turmoil inside and out.

From the window, he could see the staff hurriedly moving about, signaling the onset of a crisis.

In Ludwik's eyes, there was a calm

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that belied the storm brewing beneath. This tempest was of his own making, orchestrated in the shadows with his partner in crime, Parker. Parker stirred the pot while Ludwik oversaw the chaos from afar.

Indeed, they had burned bridges with the shareholders, and the financial hit to Inko Group was undeniable.

But all of it served a greater purpose lurking in the shadows.

As three days of escalating drama passed, Ludwik intentionally fanned the flames of scandal, letting the media run wild with negative coverage.

It was time to reel everything back in.

Narrowing his dark eyes slightly, Ludwik flicked away his cigarette butt and glanced at the clock.

A knock on the door broke his contemplation.

The door swung open to reveal Parker striding in confidently. "Ludwik, just as you predicted, our moment has arrived!

Ten minutes ago, the top brass at Inko Group received an email from our overseas division. It basically said that the headquarters is sending someone to clean house at Inko Group, advising everyone to stop their scheming!"