Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 365

But once inside the car, Ludwik's demeanor shifted, his eyes glinting like frost under the moonlight. He spoke with a chill, "Let the news I've released simmer for a few hours."

Felix glanced at the rearview mirror, a spark of understanding lighting his gaze.

With a smirk, Ludwik inquired, "Has Jarvis bitten the bait with the chip deal?"

The executive in the passenger seat made a quick call for confirmation, then turned with a sly grin, "Mr. Lippert, the big shots at Tyche Inc. and PotenTech just got back to us in secret. Jarvis signed up with them, using a tech firm as a front, claiming he's got the latest model of the Sharp-F Chip."

The Sharp-F Chip had been pilfered from the lab by Jarvis. The exact method of theft was still unclear to Ludwik. But that did not deter him from setting a grand scheme in motion from the start.

At the afternoon press conference, the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech played along in his ruse, luring the enemy deeper into the trap. Now that the contract was signed, it was easy sailing. Jarvis intended to sabotage his company, with the chip's failure preventing its launch and generating a slew of negative repercussions, leading to lawsuits and potential bankruptcy. Ludwik planned to return the favor in kind.

"Felix, get to work, bring out our lab's real Sharp-F Chip, and hit Jarvis with a copyright infringement lawsuit that'll bleed his company dry."

Leaning back in his seat, Ludwik crossed his legs, his voice unhurried. Felix sped up, heading back to Skyfaith Group, with Ludwik beelining for the lab.

Indeed, the real Sharp-F Chip had undergone a last-minute data enhancement, not damage, making it even more powerful. Its market delay was a strategic feint. Mr. Lippert had been aware of Jarvis's scheme since he noticed him secretly colluding with the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech during a business trip.

Skyfaith was ablaze with activity, its staff bustling, and executives gathered around the conference table. Ludwik stood at the doorway of the president's office, his gaze icy, "Find the mole who helped Jarvis steal and tamper with the chip data." Felix nodded firmly.

Around 4 a.m., Jarvis was jolted awake by his subordinate. "Jarvis, we've got trouble! The CEOs of Tyche Inc. and PotenTech turned on us right after signing. They've reported our chip as a counterfeit, illegally infringing on Skyfaith's genuine chip rights, calling off the deal and demanding a hefty compensation!"

"That's impossible," Jarvis scoffed, lighting a cigarette, "Everyone knows Skyfaith's chip was off the market, making infringement a non-issue. The Sharp-F Chip we obtained was meant to fill the void for Tyche Inc. and PotenTech. Plus, Ludwik's behind bars!" "The twist is," the subordinate frowned, "an hour ago, Skyfaith's Sharp-F Chip was relaunched! They held an overnight product launch, with live tests showing no issues. The whole media's rushing over. And... and..." "Out with it!" Jarvis pressed, seeing his hesitance.

The subordinate went pale, "At the launch, Ludwik was present. Meaning, he wasn't under police interrogation. There's only one explanation, Jarvis, he's been released without charges."

"Impossible!" Jarvis's shout echoed, his cigarette dropping as his complexion darkened. He made a hasty call to the Banyan City legal authorities, only to learn that the bribery dossier on Ludwik was deemed insufficient for arrest.

Jarvis slammed the phone down, his face contorting in fury. He could only think of Whitney... That traitor, he had given her documents enough to jail Ludwik for years. She was supposed to have used them. Fine, old flames die hard, a last-minute betrayal, and now the tables have turned on him.

Sitting in his chair, Jarvis was bombarded with calls from the CEOs of Tyche Inc. and Poten Tech. With Skyfaith's genuine chip back on the market, Jarvis's counterfeit became a hot potato, and the media started circling. Even the commercial crime department received Skyfaith's report, digging into his company's records and closing in.

"Jarvis, luckily you used a shell company for the Tyche Inc. and PotenTech deal, they can't trace it back to Jar Rail Corporation yet. You should flee, head back to Emperor City and lay low! Ludwik's set a trap for you. Once the commercial crime department gets involved, it'll be hard to shake them off."

"Damn it." Jarvis cursed, originally anticipating Skyfaith's financial ruin and Ludwik's imprisonment by morning, with Jason having no expectations left for his adopted son. The situation had flipped too quickly for him to adapt!

"Even with a shell company, won't the breach of contract with Tyche Inc. and PotenTech bleed Jar Rail Corporation dry?"

In Skyfaith's office, learning that Jarvis had fled back to Emperor City, Ludwik's lips curved in a smirk. Jarvis, as Jason's adopted son, held a significant place in the Lippert family, making him a tough target. Jarvis could try to dissociate, but he would have to pay dearly. "Mr. Lippert, we just received an express delivery at the front desk." Felix rushed into the president's office with a small parcel.

Ludwik raised an eyebrow, "Who's it from?" Felix concentrated, "Ms. Valentine..."

The man stiffened momentarily, "Open it."

"Wait, I'll do it myself." His voice deepened, his gaze intensifying as he personally opened the package. Inside the package was a dossier on Mr. Turner, a recording, and footage of Whitney entering and exiting the Sharp-F Chip lab. Ludwik was full of doubts. As he pressed play on the recording, he heard a conversation between Elaine and Mr. Turner. The dossier revealed frequent interactions between Elaine and Mr. Turner. Ludwik's expression darkened instantly. It was clear to him now, Whitney was hinting that the culprit meddling with Skyfaith, alongside Jarvis, wasn't just her. There was another key figure in the chip theft: Elaine. Elaine and Mr. Turner were the traitors he had been searching for. The package, seemingly innocuous, felt like a taunt aimed directly at him. Ludwik stared at the package for a long time before suddenly turning to ask, "How's the investigation on Elaine going at the police station?"

Felix paused, then shook his head, "Not sure. But Ashton sent a flock of lawyers for her last night."

Ludwik pursed his lips, the corners of his mouth twisted in a cold sneer, his disappointment glaringly obvious as his gaze turned dark for a few seconds, "Send this recording to the police."

"Mr. Lippert, are you...?" Felix was taken aback, sending evidence against Elaine seemed out of character for Mr. Lippert.

Just then, Ludwik's phone erupted into a ring. He glanced at it, frowning, and answered, "Zane, what's up?"

"Ludwik, Elaine collapsed at the police station, coughing up blood! Please, you have to get her out. She's only got one kidney, and the overnight interrogation was too much for her. She's suffered a great deal of stress, her body can't take it. Whatever she did wrong, she donated a kidney to your mother, that's like giving half her life. You can't just ignore that bond!"

"Coughing up blood?" Ludwik's brows furrowed deeply. After a moment, he stood up, slowly grabbing his suit jacket, and said to Felix, "I need to step out."

"Mr. Lippert, should I still send this recording of Elaine to the station?" Felix hesitated, pointing to the recording.

Ludwik's brows tightened, his gaze shifting...