Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Jarvis leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing across his lips as he crushed the end of his cigarette. "Uncle, I've had Justin under surveillance for days. The idiot's been strutting around like he owns the place, thanks to his dad's influence."

Wade furrowed his brows, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Justin, you say? Jarvis, you've got something brewing, don't you?"

"Without Ludwik in the picture, Jason and his cronies are like a deck of cards scattered in the wind. Either way, this plays to our advantage. Parker's the tough nut, Ludwik's right-hand man, but who says we need to play fair? What if we pit them against each other?"

Jarvis's eyes gleamed with mischief as he pocketed his hands, and Wade, catching on to his intent, couldn't help but smirk. "Everything's in place; we're just waiting for the right moment."

"It's about time, isn't it? WisdoChip Co. is on the verge of a breakthrough, right?"noveldrama

On the island.

Whitney counted the days, living in a haze, unknowingly trapped here for weeks. Despite Ludwik's constant care and attempts to lighten her mood, she couldn't shake off the guilt of being with him while still married to Bryce. Her health suffered as much as her conscience.

One morning, Ludwik coaxed her out of bed. "Honey, the butler says it's a perfect day for beachcombing. Let's hit the white sands." Before Whitney could protest, Ludwik scooped her up, his laughter warming her ear. "You're getting lazier by the day."

It wasn't laziness; she dreaded the thought of being alone with him, away from the safety of the household staff.

"Don't make me dress you," Ludwik teased, his eyes trailing over her delicate features as she pushed him away in annoyance. Sighing, Whitney quickly got dressed and stormed downstairs, leaving Ludwik watching her with a bittersweet smile. Despite her occasional compliance, her stubbornness remained a challenge he had yet to overcome.

"Are you coming or not? If not, I'm going back to bed!" Whitney's voice, cold yet melodious, floated up to him.

Ludwik, donning beach shorts, descended the stairs. "Let's go, darling. I'll catch you the biggest fish in the sea today."

Despite her resolve to remain indifferent, Whitney couldn't help but admire Ludwik's vigor, a stark contrast to his unscrupulous nature that she detested.

Ludwik navigated the yacht to the heart of the sea, meticulously applying sunscreen on Whitney and setting up a sunshade for her comfort. Soon, the rod twitched with the promise of a catch.

"Honey, it's a big cod! Help me reel it

in," Ludwik's excitement was

contagious, but Whitney, caught

between curiosity and her

él

determination not to let Ludwik

sway her, decided to stay indifferent and retreated into the cabin.

Ludwik, half amused, half frustrated, called out, "What'll it be, darling? Grilled cod or sashimi? Whatever you want, I'll make it happen."

Whitney retorted, her defiance clear, "I don't want anything you make! Don't think your kindness by day will make me forget your true colors by night. I'm not fooled, Ludwik."

Shaking his head, Ludwik was about

to follow her when his phone rang. It was Parker with news about WisdoChip Co.'s breakthrough.

Despite the monumental success, Ludwik's response was subdued, his thoughts lingering on Whitney.

"You need to come back soon. Jason's on the warpath, and I'm out of my depth here," Parker pleaded, highlighting the urgency of Ludwik's return. Agreeing to announce the news to attract investors and promising to attend the official launch, Ludwik's mind was still with Whitney, their unresolved tensions hanging heavily in the air.

The news is out, and it's bound to

net

bring companies from around the globe knocking on the Lippert family's door. The company desperately needs you to take the helm, especially now. This is a big deal, from promoting the chip to signing partnerships. It's better if you handle it.

If anything goes wrong, I won't have enough heads to roll for this. This is a major opportunity!"

Ludwik glanced at Whitney in the cabin, then turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly from the sea breeze, and lowered his voice, "What are Riley and his lot even doing?

The company has so many shareholders. The Lippert family has been supporting them, and now it's time they stepped up!

Do they think the world stops spinning without me?"

Parker was caught off guard, swallowing hard, "Honestly, what did you do to Whitney?

Or, have you not managed to win her over?"

The atmosphere on the other end of the phone turned distinctly chilly!