Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 364

Ludwik's eyes, filled with cold fury, slowly shifted towards Jarvis amidst the crowd. A scornful laugh escaped his lips as he was led away by the police, his demeanor exuding an intimidating chill. Following behind him, a group of senior executives from Skyfaith, including

Felix, hurried along, their faces etched with grave concern.

The press conference was in uproar!

"What's going on with Skyfaith? First, a chip malfunction, and now Mr. Lippert is being accused of bribery!"

"Man, he was untouchable in Banyan City. There's no way he's getting out of this clean!"

"God, it's one thing after another, and now Skyfaith's stock is plummeting. Time to dump those shares!"

"Yeah, this company is headed for disaster."

The murmurs grew louder, Jason's frown deepening as he listened, the board members of the Lippert Group behind him shaking their heads in disapproval.

"The old man's businesses haven't even been transferred, and Ludwik's already landed himself in hot water."

"He's still young and stuck in Banyan City. Mr. Lippert, it seems there's a long way to go before you can take over the Lippert family back in Emperor City."

With the directors speaking like this, Jason felt it wasn't his place to intervene, letting Ludwik handle the situation on his own and, in turn, testing his capabilities.

Jason's frosty gaze briefly met Whitney's. He didn't know her, but something told him this woman was trouble, a real femme fatale. She was an obstacle, and his displeasure was palpable.

---

In the crowd, Jarvis checked his phone to see Skyfaith's name plastered all over the headlines for all the wrong reasons, their stock in free fall. Looking at Jason's displeased expression brought a cold smirk to his face. Ludwik, the illegitimate son, thought he could just waltz back into Emperor City and push him out of the Lippert Group? Well, he'd have to get past Jarvis first!

His phone rang, and he stepped aside to answer, a sly grin spreading across his face, "Don't worry, ma'am. With me on it, Ludwik's wedding is causing frowns all around, the company deals aren't going through, and as for recognizing his son? Well, Ludwik might not make it out of the police station."

Back in Emperor City, Mrs. Lippert's lips curled up at the news, "Weston, well done. Without him here, your position in the Lippert family remains unchallenged."

"We're in this together, stepmom."

Jarvis chuckled as he hung up, grateful to Whitney for giving him such a perfect opportunity. Ludwik was now facing a real threat of incarceration.

He then instructed his subordinate, "While Ludwik's being interrogated, let's seal the deal with Tyche Inc. and PotenTech, claiming we've got the latest chip technology."

He was determined to corner Ludwik with no way out.

---

Late at night, Whitney left the police station after aiding in their investigation. Orion, waiting at the door, bombarded her with questions, "You really went all out on him, huh? Now Ludwik's been arrested. What did the cops ask you?" "Just the usual stuff."

"You didn't set Ludwik up again, did you?"

"When have I ever?" Whitney's response came with a cryptic sneer.

Before Orion could reply, Ashton stormed up, furious, "The Gemstone Exhibit Project was under your watch. You didn't screw him over, yet there he was, being taken away with that look on his face? I've never seen anyone as malicious as you. If anything happens to him, we won't let you off!"

Whitney couldn't be bothered to respond, simply snorting in disdain and walking away.

"Look at her attitude..."

"Alright, big brother, didn't you come to replace a lawyer for Elaine?" Nolan sighed, pushing him, "You go do that. Parker and I will head to Ludwik's side."

At 1 AM, Skyfaith's senior executives and Felix were waiting outside the interrogation room. Inside, the investigator treated Ludwik with a certain level of courtesy, offering him a phone and cigarettes. Ludwik sat upright, his presence commanding and menacing. Half an hour earlier, a 'suspicious document' was found in his office drawer by the inspection team. At that moment, Ludwik felt the same heart-wrenching betrayal he experienced three years ago when Whitney sabotaged his company. To be repeatedly ensnared by the same woman was his folly, his vulnerability to temptation. Clutching his fist tightly, he knew that if the 'evidence' was deemed conclusive, Jarvis, using Whitney, would pin the crime on him. He would face significant trouble. The last glimmer of hope in his eyes extinguished. He despised this woman to his core...

Click-

The interrogation room door opened, and a police officer stepped in with the document, his expression odd, "Mr. Lippert, you're free to go."

Ludwik looked up, baffled.

"You're not guilty."

"What?" He was taken aback, his sharp gaze fixating on the document, "But that's her..."

The officer laid the document in front of him, "Indeed, it's a bribery document, but crucial pages are missing. We found no evidence of your dealings with officials. During Whitney's questioning, she couldn't provide evidence of your alleged interactions either. So, we can't hold you. You're free to go."

The officer, arms crossed, sat back with a sense of dissatisfaction, observing Ludwik.

...

A mix of emotions crossed Ludwik's face, his eyes reflecting a storm of thoughts. So, it was a bribery document, and he was nearly convicted, but someone had torn out the essential pages, leaving the evidence insufficient. He was innocent? His expressions changed rapidly, a tumultuous storm brewing in his gaze. Meaning, initially, someone was eager for his downfall, then hesitated and destroyed the evidence at the last moment...

Last night, she stood nervously at his desk, guilt-ridden, fearing he would discover the truth. So she seduced him. Afterward, amidst their confusion, he had dozed off. Waking up to replace Whitney outside the rest room... What had she done in that time? What had she thought? Whitney, that damned woman. She couldn't bear to do it. Intent on harming him, seeking revenge, yet in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her heart softened!

Ludwik stood up abruptly, his jaw clenched tight, lips cruelly twisted, as if a fierce blaze had broken through the ice within him, raging furiously. The warmth seeped into his icy heart, reigniting it, as his blood slowly began to surge and stir once more. "Thanks," he muttered before dashing off. Then, turning back with a smirk that wasn't quite a smile, he asked, "This document means a lot to me. Mind if I take it?"

Mr. Lippert had his reputation to consider, and the officer nodded, "It's a copy. Go ahead."

The man rolled the document in his palm, his large hands slightly sweaty.

Stepping outside the police station, under a sky where the moon shone brightly among scattered stars, the cool hues reminded him of Whitney's eyes - mysterious and unreadable even after three years. Bright yet dark, sometimes sorrowful, sometimes joyous - she always held back, never revealing the tenderness hidden beneath her facade. Now, though, he had seen it...

He lit up two cigarettes in succession, squinting and smiling deeply.

Felix ran over, startled to see Mr. Lippert grinning like a fool. The day had been a roller coaster - just hours ago, Mr. Lippert looked as though he could murder Ms. Valentine. What was there to smile about now?

Pointing towards the police station, Felix asked, bewildered, "Mr. Lippert, the cops just let you go, said you could leave. You were in there for less than three hours... Everything's okay now?"

"You hoping it wasn't?" The man shot him a cold glance.

"... What kind of question was that? Felix wouldn't wish Mr. Lippert's downfall upon himself, not with his hefty assistant salary at stake."

With a twitch of his mouth, Felix cautiously inquired, "So, the bribery charges didn't stick?"

"Yep." Ludwik flicked the cigarette butt away, raising an eyebrow, "Lucky me. Get the car ready!"

He was itching to confront Whitney, to demand clear and straightforward answers...