Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Florence had just played a move so sinister it made your skin crawl. She was devious, far more venomous than Elaine could ever hope to be.

The sheer immorality of her plan to trap Ludwik was astounding.

Shameless. Utterly vile!

Sammy closed his eyes tightly, his heart constricting with pure loathing.

His mom was just too pitiful!

It was clear as day that both his dad and mom were clueless about Florence's scheming.

They harbored resentment towards each other over a lost baby.

Sammy made a silent vow. He would do everything in his power to thwart Florence's malevolent plot!

He needed to find out whose child it truly was.

After dropping Natalie and Danny back at Delight Mansion, Parker received a call from Felix and immediately drove to the Lippert Group headquarters.

Inside the chairman's office, Jason looked visibly worn, his brows furrowed in deep concern.

Upon seeing Parker, his first question was about Ludwik. "Any news on that scoundrel Ludwik?"noveldrama

Felix kept his thoughts to himself.

Ever since acknowledging Mr. Lippert as his son, Jason had shown nothing but affection and respect for him. Now, referring to him as 'that scoundrel' showed just how deeply hurt he was.

Parker exchanged a glance with Felix. Although they had been in touch with Ludwik, his whereabouts remained a mystery.

"Jason, we can't find Ludwik's location..."

"Scoundrel."

Jason's cold demeanor sent papers flying across the room.

Riley calmly picked them up, trying to soothe his brother, "Big bro, don't rush. To put it bluntly, before Ludwik left, he did smooth things over for the Lippert Group. He left behind WisdoChip Co., and although the company's stock has plummeted and Ludwik's scandal continues to brew, once WisdoChip Co. launches, all negative attention will vanish!

Our position in the global family rankings could very well jump to number one."

"But it has to be developed first!

Has it been successful?" Jason scoffed, his sharp gaze filled with anger, "A single chip is supposed to save the entire Lippert Group?

It's merely a high point in tech innovation.

The boy is too arrogant, prioritizing a love affair over the Fuller family's legacy!"

"You say that, but deep down, you're incredibly fond of him." Riley teased, raising an eyebrow, "Ever since Ludwik confided in me and handed over the reins of Jarvis to me, I've grown quite fond of the lad!

I often think, if only Justin Lippert had a fraction of his acumen. He's just too sentimental, falling for that girl Whitney.

Once WisdoChip Co. is developed, he'll definitely reappear to take charge. You don't have to worry too much about the Lippert family's future."

Beside Riley, Justin hung his head, silently resenting, "Dad, am I really that bad?

I may be idle, but at least I'm not lovesick like Ludwik. At least I won't fall for a woman!"

"Shut up!" Riley, noticing Jason's displeased expression, sternly warned his son.

Justin pouted.

Parker chimed in, supporting Riley, "Chairman, Ludwik has a good head on his shoulders. He won't abandon us."

"I'm just worried that by the time he returns, the Lippert family will have been dragged down by his scandal!"

Jason wasn't optimistic. The

scandal was blowing up in the media, and despite his efforts to suppressit, the situation was getting out of hand. Between Jarvis stirring the pot and Ludwik's scandalous elopement touching a nerve with the public, neither the media nor the law would let him off easy.

And Bryce hadn't even filed a police report yet.

Who knows if he would seek revenge later!

"Cough cough..." Jason, who hadn't been resting well, aggravated by stress, saw a resurgence of an old ailment.

Felix, concerned, asked, "Chairman?"

"Big bro! Don't get worked up. We'll stabilize the situation for the Lippert family, not giving our enemies any advantage." Riley tried to comfort Jason. Jason, looking exhausted, patted his brother's shoulder, "Riley, I'm not in good health. I'll leave the company affairs to you. As vice-chairman, your word is law."

Riley nodded, "Big bro, we're family. I'll help Ludwik until he returns!"

"Mr. Doonan! The lab's chip development is now in your hands. Protect it for Ludwik."

Parker accepted the task, "Ludwik entrusted me with this before he left. I'll ensure the success of WisdoChip Co. We're brothers in arms, Jason, you can count on me."

The family doctor helped Jason up, "Sir, you should stay in the hospital for a while, don't worry the old lady."

"Mr. Doonan, Felix, try to convince him to come back soon!" Jason implored before leaving, gritting his teeth in frustration.

As the meeting ended and the office door opened, Justin walked up to Riley, beaming, "Dad, you're the man in charge now. Uncle said the whole company is under your command. Ha! I, Justin, finally have my moment to shine. Those who laughed at me being useless, I want to see who dares not make way for me now.

From now on, I walk with my head held high, and they all have to address me as the young chairman."

Riley slapped him, "You worthless thing.

You think this is a moment for you to puff up? I'm so frustrated I could spit blood in your face.

Which parents don't want their children and grandchildren to make them proud? And here you are, thinking only of yourself!

Stop loafing around. Get to know the business inside and out. When your cousin returns, learn from him.

Someday, you'll be the Lippert family's right hand, supporting your cousin to build an even greater empire."

Justin grumbled, "Dad, you've poured your soul into the Lippert empire for your whole life. And when Ludwik strolls back, you're just going to roll out the red carpet for him? You might as well take this chance to... seize control and cut Ludwik off at the knees."

Riley smacked him on the back of

the head and fowered his voice to a warning growl, "Don't let that kind of talk slip out at the office again! You'll give your uncle more ammo. I'm not plotting anything. Even though had my gripes with Ludwik, he's never treated me like an outsider. That makes us family. It's outsiders like Jarvis we need to watch out for, get it?"

Justin didn't really get it. It gnawed at him. Why should Ludwik waltz in and be treated like royalty by the Lippert family? Why did his dad bow down to him, making way for Ludwik like he's some kind of messiah? It's not like Ludwik was that much older than him!

His dad's words went in one ear and

out the other. As soon as he left the office, Justin hit the bars, loud and boisterous. He couldn't help but embellish the tale of Riley holding

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the reins at the Lippert family, especially when it garnered him so much attention. Old drinking buddies and the sons of nobility started to suck up to him, dubbing him the junior director. Justin revéled in this superficial world, where the VIP lights of Emperor City's elite clubs always turned green for him. In the shadows of his mind, he toyed with the idea of being the man in charge of the Lipperts.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the club, a spy lurked, monitoring Justin's every move.

Over at Jarvis's mansion, Wade was present too. Jarvis was briefing his minions about the day's meeting at the Lippert Group, chaired by Jason.

"Jarvis, Riley's a tough nut to crack. He's totally in Ludwik's pocket now, devoted to helping Jason and his son keep a tight grip on the company. And then there's Parker, another tough cookie to crumble," Wade reported.

Jarvis glanced at Wade, a dismissive smirk on his face. "Riley might be a challenge, but his naive son? That's a different story."