Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 444

The Lippert Group.

Early this morning, photos of Justin sleeping with another man had circulated among the shareholders.

The atmosphere in Riley’s office was electric with tension.

By eleven o'clock, the board’s notification to dismiss Justin from his managerial position had arrived, sending Riley’s blood pressure through the roof, his face turning a shade of blue with fury.

Beside him, Joanne was also in panic, forced to confess the previous night's events.

“Why did you encourage Justin to hook up with Whitney? Why didn’t you tell me?” Riley demanded.

Joanne, trying to evade, responded, “I-I just thought... after hearing from Mrs. Sheldon that Whitney had shares in the Sheldon Group, getting Justin with her could unite our families and give you a better standing against Ludwik…”

Slap!

Riley’s hand connected with Joanne’s face, spitting out in anger, “Foolish! You’ve been played by Mrs. Sheldon! Look at your son’s scandal, no reputable family will want him now. He’s the talk of Emperor City, jobless, his future ruined! Why would that gay man be with Justin, anyway?”

Justin, with a bruised face, clenched his fists, “Dad, the photos were deliberately taken by Ludwik. He wants to crush me. If it was just to prevent you from allying with the Sheldon family through marriage, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths. I have a feeling it has to do with Whitney…”

Riley sank into thought, looking at how Justin's scandal had caused the stocks of several subsidiaries to fall. He roared with hatred, “Ludwik, if I catch you slipping, you’ll pay for this! Today you target my son, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

-

At the top floor, in the president’s office.

Ludwik glanced at Felix, “Any word from Riley?”

“Riley’s furious, vowing revenge. Jarvis is probably enjoying the show.”

Ludwik smirked, “Let Jarvis enjoy for now. When Riley can’t hold up, I’ll make him bow to me.”

“So that’s your plan.” Parker narrowed his eyes, “Giving Jarvis the illusion of your battle with Riley while actually getting back at Justin. Ludwik, you really don’t care about dragging me into this, do you? Nolan saw the news about me being gay!”

“Of course, your face isn’t my concern.”

Felix tried to suppress his laughter at Mr. Lippert’s ruthless demeanor.

“You being jealous over Whitney for such a trivial thing, it’s amusing. She won’t even know,” Parker sighed.

Ludwik paused, a slight smile on his lips, “Won’t she watch the news?”

“She might, but she won’t appreciate it. She’ll just think you’re brutal, wanting to destroy any man that comes near her.”

“Exactly.” Ludwik’s expression darkened.

“You still consider her yours, Ludwik, but you no longer have any right over her,” Parker couldn’t help but softly remind.

A storm seemed to brew in Ludwik’s eyes, “I need a right?”

Parker sighed; indeed, no one could stop the relentless Ludwik now. Whitney better not start a new relationship; that man would be so doomed…

“Any leads on the van that kidnapped Sammy?” Ludwik shifted the topic.

Parker straightened, “Searching the junkyard could take a week, plus it seems someone else is also looking into that van…”

“Who?” Ludwik’s gaze sharpened.

-

The next morning, Whitney’s hotel doorbell rang.

Dressed neatly, she opened the door to find Felix standing outside.

-

Meanwhile, Whitney was on her way to the airport to pick up Bryce. Considering Skye Gem Ltd. was relocating, they needed to find a prime spot in Emperor City, a highly sought-after urban area, to construct the Skye Gem Ltd. headquarters.

Filled with enthusiasm about her company, Whitney was looking at her phone when suddenly, a shadow loomed in front of her—

Looking up, Whitney saw a burly bodyguard with sunglasses, exuding a chilly aura, "Ms. Valentine, my lady requests your presence at the coffee shop next door."

Outside her hotel, someone had managed to track her down. Whitney followed the bodyguard's gesture and saw a discreet Lincoln car, from which a lady's hat peeked out, revealing half a face.

Whitney's heart skipped a beat... Was it her?

She knew her luck wasn't that good...

Glancing around, the hotel entrance was bustling. If she ran now...

"Ms. Valentine, my lady's patience is limited. If you don't cooperate, I'm afraid I'll have to insist," the bodyguard stated, flexing his muscular arm.

Whitney took a deep breath, straightened up, and braced herself. What was meant to happen, would happen.

She followed the bodyguard into the coffee shop.

About five minutes later, Thea discreetly arrived in the private room. After a thorough check of Whitney's purse and phone by the bodyguard, he nodded at Whitney.

Thea sat down, still wearing sunglasses, every bit the first lady of Harmonia Country, Mrs. Lippert's grandeur undeniable.

Whitney sat up straight, trying to remain calm.

Thea eyed her coldly, a frosty smile on her lips, "That night, did you see everything?"