Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



The Patrick family was in turmoil.

Jarvis sped home, heart pounding with dread.

Upon entering, he was met with Wade Patrick's scowl. "Jarvis, what on earth happened at the Wilson family's dinner party tonight?"

"It was me..." Jarvis found himself confessing the whole mess.

Wade's face darkened, his teeth clenched in fury. "Fool. Who gave you the audacity to cause trouble at Phineas Wilson's home? I've told you a million times, our family needs to strengthen ties with the Wilsons, and instead of helping, you've made a mess!"

"Wade, don't be too hard on Jarvis!" Thea rushed in, defending her son.

Wade shot her a cold glance. "You spoil him. It's not just a scolding he needs, but a wake-up call!

Jarvis, I thought you were one of Jason Lippert's most trusted men. Now you're acting like a hotshot, thinking you're untouchable because you're seen as Harmonia Country's top bachelor. You wanted Ludwik Lippert gone, but why choose tonight at the Wilsons'?

This has got me furious, biting off more than you can chew.

Do you think the Miller and Wilson families will let this slide?"

Jarvis clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "It was Bryce Lutz's idiotic idea. He said a greenhouse explosion would look accidental, and I waited until everyone had left before I acted. Who knew Elodie Miller would walk in there."

Thea glanced at Wade's stern face, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Softly, she tried to soothe him. "Wade, stop blaming Jarvis. He thought Phineas was prying into your dealings with Ludwik, fearing Phineas had ulterior motives. Now with Ms. Miller almost hurt, the Millers and Wilsons have launched a full investigation. It'll lead back to Jarvis, and I know you're disappointed, but he's still your heir... If they trace it back to Jarvis, it'll affect us all."

"You think they won't suspect our family if they can't trace it to him?" Wade retorted angrily. "At the party, our stance against Ludwik was clear. Now with Ludwik in trouble, won't people suspect us?"

Jarvis panicked. "So, uncle, what should we do?"

Wade glared at him, then, with a grim determination, said, "We need to bring Brielle Patrick into this."

Thea's eyes widened; Brielle was Wade's niece.

Shivering, she heard Wade continue, "And drag Liam into it. Claim Brielle and Liam are dating, and everyone saw Ludwik and Brielle's disagreement. Say Liam caused the explosion out of revenge, giving him a motive."

Jarvis's eyes lit up. "Liam's no concern. But will Brielle and Liam object? We pushed Brielle to set up Ludwik tonight."

"Brielle's father relies on me. He'll convince her," Wade said coldly.

Thea worriedly added, "But sacrificing Brielle won't sit well with Liam. His family won't want to offend the Wilsons and Millers."

"Hmph. For a nouveau riche like them, finding dirt is easy."

Wade declared, Jarvis nodding in agreement.

Wade, disappointed, warned them, "Don't think this ends here. Even if we pin everything on Brielle and Liam, the Millers and Wilsons aren't fools; they'll suspect us."

"What do we do?" Jarvis frowned.

"Pay them off," Wade said, smoking in the dim light. "Ronan Miller's eyeing the Vice Presidency after his term as Treasury Secretary. It's harder for him to take bribes in his position, but he loves money. Start with him.

As for Phineas, we need to tread carefully. If Ronan doesn't pursue his daughter's case, we might be off the hook."

"I understand, uncle...I'm sorry," Jarvis said, remorseful yet eager to please.

Wade looked at him coldly. "Think before you act next time. It's one thing for you to get into trouble, but don't drag the Patrick family down with you! Ludwik's more skilled than you think, not someone to underestimate."

Jarvis felt humiliated, his rage towards Ludwik growing.

After Wade left, Thea comforted Jarvis. "He's just upset, don't overthink it. He still loves you and wants you to succeed."

Jarvis, however, looked at her coldly. "Stepmom, are you really oblivious to Wade's affair with his secretary?"

Back when the Patrick family was still climbing the social ladder, they relied on our connections with the Lippert family to turn a profit.

Now the Patricks have risen to the top, and their affection isn't as strong as it once was.

If you ask me, we should be on our guard. After all, you and Wade don't have a son, who knows if he might decide to have one with his secretary."

These words hit Thea like a ton of bricks.

Indeed, since her divorce from Jason, Wade had been kind to her, but there was always a hint of indifference.

But Jarvis was his flesh and blood, he wouldn't think of betraying her, would he? She had supported Wade for over three decades, securing his position at the top. She was the unsung hero.noveldrama

Clutching Jarvis's hand tightly, Thea finally spilled the truth with fierce resolve, "Jarvis, there's something I've never told you. You are not only my biological child, but you are also Wade's!

Don't worry, if Wade dares to have another child, we will not let him off easily."

"What?" Jarvis's eyes widened in shock. He had always known he was Thea's biological child.

Otherwise, why would she have plotted so much on his behalf within the Lippert family?

To think he was actually the legitimate heir to the Patrick family?

A cold glint flashed in Jarvis's eyes.

After leaving Brew Hill, Bryce didn't head home but instead went straight to Hudson Sheldon's hospital.

Under the discreet shade of a tree at the hospital entrance, Myra hurriedly appeared and handed him a pill from her pocket. Bryce squinted as he took it, brushing off his hand afterward.

Myra retreated.

The door to Hudson's room swung open, revealing Bryce's tall figure, a warm smile on his face, "Dad! I came to visit you!"

Hudson, having regained some of his faculties in recent days, could roughly make out voices now.

The nurse, about to administer his medication, looked up and recognized him, "Jared Sheldon, that's the young miss's husband, Mr. Bryce."

Hudson nodded weakly, having been informed by Whitney during her visits that she and Bryce had married.

Lying there for over four months, Hudson had missed his daughter's wedding, "Bryce? Come, have a seat." Bryce squinted, noting Hudson's blurred vision.

Perfect. He twirled the pill given to him by Florence Sheldon in his hand...