Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



In the morning, Ludwik drove to the office.

On the way, he was unexpectedly stopped by Shane, who had just returned from abroad.

Ludwik stepped out of his car, his long legs stretching as he approached, and volunteered, "Your girl, Sandy, is doing well in the hospital. Whitney's been looking after her with great care."

"I know that. Ludwik, I came to ask about that favor I asked of you. How's it going?"

Shane squinted, offering a cigarette from his pack.

Ludwik glanced at it but didn't take it, his expression cooling as he remembered letting Florence slip away that night.

"Sorry, I dropped the ball. But I'll find another way to get the information out of her."

Shane lit the cigarette by himself, then suddenly asked, "Has Florence found herself a new guardian angel? I'm not talking about Jarvis. That guy's as slippery as an eel; she couldn't use him even if she wanted to.

Florence has vanished these past few days, like someone's protecting her.

Also, I went to the police station this morning. The case of Sandy's fall was closed in a hurry, blaming it on a dog.

Can you believe that?

Who's cleaning up Florence's mess, daring to cross me?"

Ludwik listened, his gaze turning icy.

For a moment, Sammy's name crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Sammy cared about the child Florence was carrying, but surely Sammy couldn't influence the police's decisions. Ridiculous.

So, who was helping Florence?

Thinking about how that malicious woman was still causing trouble, Ludwik felt a wave of irritation, "I've been too busy to deal with her lately. If you have time, you can check it out yourself. After all, she's our common enemy now.

I'm worried she'll go after Whitney, and you're worried she might try something with Sandy again, right?"

Shane was taken aback, not expecting the down-and-out Ludwik to still challenge him.

He glared at Ludwik, nodded, "Yeah, I was going to give you an invite to the Inko Group Chairman's housewarming party at Brew Hill. You wouldn't get an invitation on your own with your current status!

But now, it seems unnecessary.

So much for our friendship."

"..." Ludwik pressed his lips tightly, wanting to retort, but Shane didn't give him the chance, driving off with a look of anger.

Felix blinked at Mr. Lippert, offering a timely reminder, "Mr. Lippert, sometimes you need to remember you and Mr. Nelson aren't on the same level anymore. Maybe buttering him up a bit wouldn't hurt.

Mr. Nelson seems a bit temperamental, kind of childish."

"He's deliberately making me uncomfortable! Do I really need his invitation to get in?"

Ludwik scoffed darkly.

Felix sighed internally, wondering if Ludwik truly understood that without that invitation, he wouldn't even be able to step foot in Brew Hill.

But arriving at the office, Ludwik was immediately confronted with reality.

Riley rushed over, asking, "Ludwik, did you hear? The Nelson family has cozy ties with a certain congressman, got their hands on a bunch of invites to the Inko Group Chairman's party!

Weren't you dealing with Shane a while ago? He's your only shot at climbing the ladder now. Did he give you an invite?"

Ludwik's face nearly turned as dark as a pan.noveldrama

What did he mean by climbing up to Shane? Wasn't he aware that, in the past, Shane couldn't hold a candle to him?

But indeed, he hadn't gotten an invite.

"I'll find another way."

"There's no other way. Sneaking in is out of the question! The Inko Group Chairman is a major financier for the president; security will be tight. Our family's already in a rough spot; we can't afford to make headlines by crashing a party."

Riley looked at him worriedly.

Just then, Jason walked in, self-deprecating, "Never thought we, the Lippert family, would one day be stressing over an invitation!

In the past, other noble families would bend over backward for an invite from us.

Times have changed, but even in these dire straits, we can't resort to gatecrashing.

I'll try contacting the mysterious buyer of Everwood Villa Estate again.

I heard Phineas gave invites to every major family in Brew Hill.

If we can get back to the manor, we'll naturally be included."

"That sounds like a plan," Riley Lippert said, though doubtful about contacting the elusive buyer.

"Let's give it another shot." Jason looked at his son, "Ludwik, I've already sent the Lippert family's portfolio to Inko Group, and I heard the Patrick Group did the same.

Everyone's dying to meet Phineas at this party, to vie for his attention.

But with your current reputation, tarnished by the Patrick Group, I'm worried Phineas, being new here, might dismiss us outright."

"Dad, don't worry about what hasn't happened. When I meet Phineas, we'll see.

I believe a chairman of such a vast empire won't be blind."

"..." Jason gave him a cold look, "I'm not sure if your blind arrogance is a good or bad thing, given the state of the Lippert family..."

"Yeah, given our current state, what's there to fear?

Wade's got everything now, making them more afraid of losing that top spot." Ludwik's nonchalant sneer carried a mix of pride and steadiness, leaving Jason and Riley momentarily stunned.

The familiar Ludwik, it seemed, was back.

After everyone had left, Riley couldn't believe what had just happened. Turning to Jason, she asked, "What got into Ludwik? It's like he's suddenly full of confidence again. He was a total mess just a while ago. Don't tell me he's back in touch with Whitney!"

Jason furrowed his brows, hoping that wasn't the case.

He didn't like it, but if thinking about Whitney was what it took for his son to regain his confidence, he couldn't stand in the way.

That girl must be some kind of witchcraft, capable of bringing him to his knees and yet also giving him life.

At this point, he also had a clear view of Florence. She was nothing but a fair-weather friend, jumping ship faster than anyone. The moment Ludwik faced trouble, she moved out of the Lippert family home, washing her hands off everything. Humph.

He had wasted so much kindness on her, even considering keeping her around for the sake of the grandson. Compared to her, Whitney didn't seem half bad!

In a private villa, Florence was in a state of undress, kneeling with her pale face flushed from mistreatment.

The man held her chin up, looking down at her, "Don't zone out.

Do you think it was easy for me to get your case dropped at the police station?

This morning, Shane was still asking Sandy at the police about that fall."

"Um, thank you, Mr. Lutz~" Florence lifted her doe eyes, brimming with vulnerable tears, her glossy cheeks somehow reminiscent of Whitney's from certain angles.