Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



The family dinner had wrapped up, and the guests were going their separate ways.

Ludwik's phone rang with a call from the Lipperts, darkening his handsome features. He strode out of the Sheldons' living room, ready to call his driver.

As he lifted his gaze, he caught sight of Whitney next to a BMW, about to get in the car under the moonlight, Bryce's hand resting on her shoulder, his suit jacket draped over her. Bryce, now just in his dress shirt, hadn't left yet.

"It's pretty chilly out here tonight, Whitney. Keep the jacket on. I'll drive," Bryce offered, glancing at Ludwik before adding, "Maybe swing by my hotel afterwards?"

Whitney was about to suggest discussing business tomorrow, her evening spent confronting the Sheldons had already drained her-

A cold set of footsteps approached rapidly, and suddenly, her wrist was seized. Ludwik's fingers, still clutching a cigarette, caused the ember to fall on her sleeve with his rough gesture.

Whitney's face cooled as she looked up into the face she wished not to see.

Ludwik, towering over her, looked even colder, his tone harsh, "Your son is still with the Lipperts. Where do you think you're going?"

Heading to Bryce's hotel? The anger in Ludwik's chest surged.

In the bathroom earlier, his warnings seemed to have been ignored, her wearing Bryce's irritating jacket proof of it.

Whitney tried to pull her wrist free, aware of the intimidating chill in his eyes, but now, outside the bathroom, she could stand her ground. "Ludwik, I don't want to talk to you."

"Did you hear that, Mr. Lippert?" Bryce interjected, pulling Whitney away, his gaze slightly lifted towards Ludwik in defiance.

"Danny had a bit of trouble at the Lipperts'. What are you going to do about it?"

Ludwik's lips turned even colder.

"What?" Whitney's face paled. "What happened to him?"

"Get in my car." His voice was icy.

Worried for her son, Whitney had no choice but to comply. Ludwik's Bentley was parked across the street. She gently freed herself from Bryce's grasp, "Bryce, you go ahead in my car. I need to see Danny."

Bryce frowned but let go, "Whitney, we'll talk tomorrow then." "Okay."

Whitney walked towards Ludwik's car under the moonlight.

Ludwik, overhearing their conversation, felt a vein in his forehead throb, his face a mask of icy disdain. He didn't leave.

As he extinguished his cigarette, his glare intensified at Bryce, his voice laced with venom and impulse, "See her lip is injured? What do you think we did in the bathroom?"

Bryce clenched his fists, unable to overlook the insult.

Ludwik's laugh was mocking, his eyes merciless, "Even if I'm done with her, she's mine for the taking. And you, you'll never have her."

"Show her some respect!" Bryce, his pride wounded, swung a punch.

But Ludwik caught it easily, their strength matched.

Bryce's genteel demeanor shattered, revealing a flash of red in his eyes. Ludwik's words were a deep cut.

Yet, the confrontation wasn't over. Ludwik sneered, "Now she's the Sheldon heiress, does that make you love her more? Don't think I haven't seen your ambition. Your love isn't pure. You think you're worthy?"

It was as if Ludwik saw through Bryce's intentions of mingling with the Sheldons that evening, a blow to Bryce's ego.

"You think your love is pure? Ludwik, you've hurt her the most. The three years you lost her, I was the one who cared for her. We'll see who has the last laugh."

Ludwik's eyes were frosty, "You better stay away from Emperor City."

He walked away, leaving Bryce to stew in humiliation outside the Sheldons'. Whitney's injured lip and Ludwik's scorn fueled his hatred.NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.

Tonight's attempt to blend with the Sheldons felt like a personal defeat.

Feeling powerless, Bryce clenched his fist, turning off the recording on his phone with a vow to retaliate against Ludwik's humiliation tenfold. Watching Ludwik's Bentley speed away, Bryce called someone with a sinister look, "Investigate the Lipperts for me."

Ludwik had just returned to the Lipperts, and Bryce was convinced he could find a weakness.

---

In the Sheldon's backyard, Holly

pulled Florence aside, "Florence, why didn't you seize the chance to join the Sheldon Group tonight? Letting that little tramp in, how can you be at ease? She's holding 10% of the shares. If she starts thriving in the Sheldon Group, your dad bringing her into headquarters is only a

matter of time!"

"I'll definitely join the Sheldon Group," Florence said with a veiled smile, her eyes narrowing. "The Lipperts hold a majority stake, which means Ludwik is in charge, didn't you hear?"

Holly looked puzzled.

Florence whispered, "I'll use Ludwik's influence to get in. That's how I'll make Whitney pay. Then, I'll have Uncle pull some strings. How could I possibly let Whitney have an easy time in the Sheldon Group?"

et

Holly's brows softened as she spoke, "I always knew my daughter was sharp. We can't let her get involved with the Sheldon Group. Even in front of your father, she's managed to corner me into silence! It's time we dealt with Whitney too. We can't let her grow her influence in Emperor City. I'll have a word with your uncle from the Walker family..."

A shadow of malice flickered in Holly's eyes. Florence listened quietly, without saying a word.

After a while, Myra approached. Florence glanced toward the Sheldon family's living room and asked, "Where's Ludwik?"

Just as Myra was about to explain, she said, "Ludwik rushed out a little while ago. It seems like there was some urgent business with the Lippert family? Though I did see Whitney getting into his car. It looked like they were heading to the Lipperts' together."

Florence coughed slightly, her tone reproachful, "And you're only telling me this now?"

She hurried out, "Have the car ready. I'm going to the Lipperts' too."

She had been meaning to make her presence felt more around the Lippert family, to get closer to its senior members... How could she let Whitney steal the spotlight?

Inside the Bentley driving uphill, the atmosphere in the back seat was as cold as ice.

Whitney sat close to the door, while Ludwik glanced at her reflection in the window. Her distant expression irritated him.

Outside, the somber forests of Brew Hill passed by, with streetlights flitting across her face, casting shadows that highlighted her radiant beauty.

Remembering their unfinished encounter in the restroom, Ludwik's gaze lingered on the chapped corner of her lips. He felt a pang of guilt amidst his thirst for her.

The silence in the car made him restless. Wanting to break it, he asked in a husky voice, "Does it hurt?"

His dark eyes fixed on her lips.

Whitney shivered slightly, her cold gaze shifting to the window and then to the driver, "Can you please hurry?"

The driver felt wronged; he was merely following Ludwik's lead on the speed.

"So, you can't stand being with me?" Ludwik's face hardened.

"What happened to Danny?" Whitney pressed, trying to keep her temper in check, "He's in trouble, and you're keeping me from seeing him?"

"You can't see him either. Your

identity mustn't be exposed to the

e

Lipperts. Wait outside the estate; I'IL bring him out," Ludwik said coldly considering the implications. Jarvis might use Whitney and Danny's relationship against them with the

Lipperts or cause trouble the

family.

Now, given his official engagement to Florence and the complexities within the Lippert family, he didn't want Danny caught in any crossfire.

Whitney's heart chilled further at his words. She scoffed, "I'm his mother, and I have to hide? What, afraid it'll tarnish the great Ludwik's reputation, or is it because your precious Florence might get upset?"