Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 535

"Ms. Sheldon, you want to transfer the embryo from Whitney's womb into yours..." Ryan glanced at Florence's abdomen, his mind racing. Was the child Whitney was carrying Ludwik's? Otherwise, why would Ms. Sheldon harbor such venomous thoughts towards her half-sister?

But he had seen Ludwik's ruthlessness firsthand just earlier that day. Ryan's heart trembled involuntarily. Beyond the moral implications, the procedure of live embryo transfer itself seemed fraught with danger... Shaking his head in fear and apprehension, Ryan protested, "Ms. Sheldon, this kind of transplant... it's not straightforward."

"I know. That's why I've come to you." Florence cut him off with confidence, narrowing her eyes, "Dr. Ryan, don’t play coy. Your research in IVF is groundbreaking, including techniques that others might not dare to touch. Am I wrong?"

Cornered with no excuse, Ryan was painfully aware of the secret research he had been conducting for years, supported and leveraged by Florence herself! Their findings had ventured into some dark places, making them a fortune. Obsessed with the forbidden realms of medical science, Florence was the only patron willing to finance Ryan's research endeavors.

Facing him, Florence continued, "Now, we need to confirm whether Whitney is indeed pregnant and if so, how far along she is. Time is of the essence. Once the embryo implants in her uterus, it'll be much more difficult to transfer, won't it?"

Ryan nodded, voicing his concerns, "Ms. Sheldon, Whitney isn't naive. If she knows she's pregnant, she won't let anyone just... extract her embryo!"

Florence fell silent, then narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "What if she doesn't know?" Ludwik's behavior that night, his constant evasion. What if Whitney was unaware of her pregnancy? Was Ludwik hiding it, fearing she might terminate the pregnancy?

If Whitney would reject the child upon knowing, why not take it? After all, genuine offspring of Ludwik, once in her womb, would signify a bond formed on that night with Ludwik! This child could be her trump card in securing her place within the Lippert family. Florence's thoughts grew increasingly wild, her cheeks flushing with a feverish intensity. She was determined, her intentions dark, "First things first, we need to confirm Whitney's pregnancy.

The day my father had his accident, Whitney fainted at the General Hospital, probably around the time Ludwik realized she was pregnant. It won't be hard to get her back into the hospital... I'll arrange everything... Then, you can have someone perform the examination, which will also reveal if she's aware of her pregnancy! If she's oblivious, then you can proceed. I'll ensure I'm in optimal health these coming days."

Florence spoke with determination, rising to her feet. Ryan felt his mind might explode at such a ludicrous plan. Still, he shook his head, "Ms. Sheldon, I've never done anything like this before. I don't know if it will be successful. What if the embryo transfer is too complicated? We might end up sacrificing a small embryo, a life. And Ludwik... If he finds out, after knowing Whitney was pregnant, then I..."

"Dr. Ryan," Florence interrupted, her pale face tightening with a cold threat, "Do you know your flaw? Compassion. Such people never achieve greatness or wealth."

Ryan hesitated, "But Ludwik... His methods are extreme..."

Florence's eyes narrowed, puzzled, "You never mentioned fearing Ludwik before. Why now? Has he approached you privately?"