Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



She had angled the shot just right, capturing Sammy in a dim light that indeed made him look pitiable.

Florence's voice drifted lazily into the conversation, "Why do you think your boy's lost weight? It's because you've been dragging your feet getting hitched, isn't it? Ha."novelbin

Her tone shifted to one of boasting, "Did you see the news about Ludwik tagging along with me to the baby store today? He says he doesn't want my kids, but deep down, he cares. He values our baby! Out with the old, in with the new, huh? Noticed he stopped bringing up Sammy around you? Didn't think so! If you're still holding out hope, I'm embarrassed for you! Sis, time to tie the knot. Saw your marriage license with Bryce. I'll hand your son back to you then."

"Next month, the 2nd! Don't push me too far!" Whitney's voice trembled.

"Just half a month away. It's best you play it smart."

Whitney had nothing more to say, nor did she wish to hear Florence flaunt her relationship progress with Ludwik any longer. With a click, she hung up.

Her fingers traced over Sammy's photo, his tiny head, his pale, thin face. Her heart ached.

Florence set her phone down, the smile vanishing from her lips as she exhaled a resentful breath. Ludwik's attitude towards her, only she knew the true warmth or coldness of it, and it was getting worse. Thus, she needed to deal with Whitney, a significant threat, swiftly. If she dared to get married, touching Ludwik's last nerve, he'd turn the wedding into a funeral. All crises with Hugh were resolved.

On Ludwik's fourth day on a business trip to Amoria Country Tech Haven, Jarvis returned to the Lippert Group, spent half a day in his former manager's office grabbing some documents, then left. Riley, keeping an eye on him, immediately reported his movements to Ludwik's secretary abroad. Felix received the message, his brows knitting together slightly. Mr. Lippert had been holed up in the chip research lab for three days, carrying the weight of the Lippert family on his shoulders, using work to numb his pain.

Felix also kept in touch with Parker back home, hearing from Mr. Doonan that Whitney had attended the Lutz Group's opening ceremony and met with Bryce's father. Their wedding plans were moving forward. Felix dared not share these updates with Mr. Lippert...

Back home, after leaving the Lippert Group, Jarvis met with Thea in a villa. Uncle Wade and a stranger whom Jarvis didn't think much of were also present. Bryce stood in the foyer, dignified and polite, his gaze fixed on a painting on the wall.

Jarvis gestured dismissively, “Uncle, why bother bringing someone so insignificant?"

Wade, holding a glass of red wine, smiled but didn't answer Jarvis's question. Thea looked at Jarvis fondly, thinking soon the term 'Uncle' would change. Once they conquered the Lippert Group, all secrets would be revealed. She had endured by Jason's side for years, all for this moment.

Thea sneered, “Ludwik thinks by demoting you and sending you away, they can rest easy? That old fox Jason sees you as a pawn too. They don't realize, once Ludwik's IntelliChip hits the market under the Lippert Group, that'll be their biggest crisis."

Jarvis grinned wickedly, "Why else would I play nice these days? I've got all the details on Ludwik's progress in Amoria Country. Just waiting for that IntelliChip to enter the Lippert Group. Then, with Riley's help from the inside, both Riley and Ludwik will be caught off guard!"

Wade nodded, "I've found another chip company in Germany. Everything's ready; we just need an opportunity. Once Ludwik's attention shifts away from the chips, we make our move."

"Who'll be the opportunity?" Jarvis frowned.

Wade looked meaningful, pointing to the foyer.

Jarvis, confused, "Bryce? A guy from Banyan City, his small company can't compare to Ludwik's. He can't even rank among the bottom of Emperor City's elites."

"Don't underestimate him. By marrying Whitney, he's got Ludwik in a tight spot. Will Ludwik just stand by on their wedding day? That's our best chance. Ludwik will be too distracted with the Lippert family affairs, trying to win back the woman he loves, we can't predict his madness then.”

Listening, Jarvis smirked and then burst into laughter, "Heard Ludwik had a breakdown before, right? Symptoms like going mad!" Thea snickered, "Hoping he repeats history. The timing Uncle Wade's waiting for is perfect, and he didn't choose his pawn poorly."

After their talk, Wade stepped outside. Bryce had recovered from the shock of learning Wade, Jarvis, and Mrs. Lippert were allies. Initially, when he received the mysterious call offering help to establish himself in Emperor City and take down Ludwik, he had no idea who was behind it.

Now, the man's identity was clear; he was Thea's brother, the heir of the Patrick Group. The Patrick Group, which Bryce had researched, seemed like a minor family business manage by Thea on the surface Little did he know, a capable figure wasturking behind the Patrick Group. Even Jason's adopted son, Jarvis, listened to Wade like gospel. The man was a ghost in the machine, never revealing his name in the glitzy circles of Emperor City's elite. He was a mystery wrapped in an enigma, and so was the Patrick Group.

Wade looked at his lackey, Bryce, and cracked a smile, "Mr. Lutz, I bet you didn't see it coming that I'm in cahoots with the Westons and Mrs. Lippert?"

Bryce was all compliments, "I truly didn't see it coming!"

He'd had his suspicions, of course. Anyone gunning for Ludwik had to be in some way connected to Jarvis's camp.

Wade smoothed his shirt cuff, "Mr. Lutz, you must understand, my identity will always remain a secret."

Bryce nodded, "I will never reveal your identity."

"Just now, I had a long chat with

Weston. We're planning to make our move on Ludwik soon, strike at his unreleased chip, and topple him from his pedestal in one fell swoop He's going to fall hard from his position as the golden boy, and

that's something we all ne

And

for you, Mr. Lutz, it's the moment you've been dreaming of, All you need to do is proceed as planned, marry Ludwik's favorite lady in a wedding that will make headlines. Only by provoking Ludwik will he shift his focus away from the Lippert Group, and then I can make my move."

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Excitement colored Bryce's face, a spark of vengeance flashing in his eyes. After all this time, was he finally going to witness Ludwik's downfall? That day at the Sheldon family mansion, when Ludwik had publicly humiliated him, trampled him into the dirt, and mocked him with every breath-he hadn't forgotten a single word.