Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 371

Jason's eyes held a distant sorrow as he sighed, "I've wronged both you and Natalie."

Knowing he was about to delve into sensitive territory regarding his origins, Ludwik pressed his lips together in a silent response. His hand, casually resting on the sofa, tightened unconsciously.

Jason buried his head in his hands and began, "Your mother never woke up, and my memories of that time are blurred. The Lipperts have their roots deep in Emperor City. Before Kaden moved to Banyan City, he married your mother, Natalie. He never loved her. In fact, he saw her as an obstacle to marrying his true love and plotted to dishonor her by sending her into another man's arms.

By sheer coincidence, I stumbled upon her that night. Perhaps the alcohol was to blame, but I ended up saving her. I never expected her to become pregnant, let alone with my own flesh and blood!

I was often away with the military in Emperor City and seldom visited the Lipperts. It was from the Bartels that I learned you were my own son when you were already 20, a young man capable of standing on his own.

I learned about the hardships you and Natalie faced. In Kaden's household, you were hardly treated as human. Even after he divorced her, Natalie had nowhere to go and endured much to raise you.

Considering your rebellious nature... I chose not to acknowledge you immediately, keeping an eye on you from afar all these years. Having controlled the Lipperts for many years, I was making preparations for you. Three years ago, the old patriarch passed away, and the timing was right..."

Ludwik's face grew cold and expressionless as he absorbed his father's words. So this was his origin. No wonder Kaden saw him as a thorn in his side, and no wonder his mother never spoke the truth, preferring to suffer in Banyan City under Kaden's cold treatment. She did it all to protect his dignity as a child.

A chilling smile crept across Ludwik's lips. "Ludwik, don't overthink it. You are of noble birth, my only son. I'm getting old and can't support you much longer. The vast empire of the Lipperts now needs you to return to Emperor City, to acknowledge your ancestors and carry on the legacy. You are not meant to be confined to a small place like Banyan City."

Jason's tone was authoritative as he locked eyes with his son. The silence stretched before Ludwik scoffed, looking at the father he'd just met, "So, you're old, and now I'm supposed to come home and inherit your legacy. Have you even asked if I'm interested?"

The pride inherent in the young man's gaze made Jason pause. He raised an eyebrow, "The Lipperts, the foremost family in Harmonia Country, doesn't excite you, not even a little bit?"

"Not really, I have my own ventures," Ludwik replied, his tone indifferent.

"Such arrogance, you truly are my son," Jason couldn't help but smirk, his expression turning cunning, "Ludwik, some things are beyond your control. Great responsibilities await, and with your position, you must act accordingly. Do you think it's a coincidence that West City has its eyes on you?"

Ludwik raised an eyebrow, surprised his father was aware of Jarvis's behind-the-scenes maneuvers. "Jarvis is my adopted son, holding a high position within the Lipperts. Before you, I needed him, which has now given him quite a faction within our family. Jar Rail Corporation is just one of his ventures. My dear Ludwik, though the Lipperts are wealthy beyond measure, we are not without our crises. My wife Thea's family is not to be underestimated, and Jarvis is one of their own."

Ludwik understood the message his father was conveying. "The kidnapping of my grandson Danny, I heard it was a high-ranking official at Jar Rail Corporation looking to avenge Jarvis. Your dealings with Skyfaith Group, I'm not sure if West City is involved. But you must have sensed it, Ludwik; you can no longer remain neutral. Whether you return to the Lipperts in Emperor City or not, you've become a target. Why not come back and claim what is rightfully yours? Consider your mother's position. She's lived her whole life in Banyan City without proper recognition. If you agree to my terms, I can give her the dignity she deserves."

It was this last statement that finally made Ludwik look up. Jason sensed some progress in their negotiation and decided to wait for a response. "I'll head back to Emperor City to handle some affairs and await your decision."

As Jason reached for his coat, he frowned slightly, adding casually, "That girl Whitney, I don't like her. Since you and Elaine are no longer marrying, you might want to reconsider your options."

Ludwik didn't take his father's opinion about Whitney to heart. Whether or not he accepted Jason as his father was still undecided. As for Whitney, Jason's approval was irrelevant. Ludwik's feelings for her were complicated enough without his father's interference. Leaving Jason's, Ludwik returned to Everwood Villa Estate. Climbing the stairs, he noted Danny's absence. The doubts he had outside Whitney's house earlier... perhaps he was overthinking it. His other son, Jacky, whom he had personally laid to rest, had a grave. Miracles didn't happen.

With a bitter twist in his eyes, Ludwik opened a bottle of wine to drink alone. Memories of Jacky always put an invisible barrier between him and Whitney. His phone buzzed relentlessly in his pocket, all from Elaine. Within minutes, there were several missed calls. He didn't want to answer, setting the phone aside indifferently.

Elsewhere, in Stream Manor. Elaine had been dialing his number relentlessly, only to be met with refusal after refusal. Frustration boiling over, she ended up throwing a fit, sending objects flying off the table.

Just then, her phone rang. Thinking it was Ludwik finally returning her call, she snatched it up in haste. "Ludwik..."

"It's me, Elaine..." Endora's voice came through.

Elaine quickly composed herself, her tone icy, "Endora? What do you want?"

There was an odd tone to Endora's voice, "Elaine, tonight I saw Mr. Lippert out with Whitney and their kid, all cozy like a happy family heading to the movies. They rented out the whole theater, and Mr. Lippert was being so attentive to Whitney..." What?

Elaine's grip on her phone tightened, nearly cracking the screen, rage boiling inside her. Just after kicking her out of the Everwood Villa Estate, Ludwik was already out courting Whitney at the movies? Was he thinking of getting back with that woman?

"Elaine, do you think your wedding with Mr. Lippert will still happen?" Endora's voice was thick with curiosity. Honestly, after the scandal that broke out at Elaine's wedding, seeing her humiliation was a downer for Endora. After all the effort she had put into sucking up to Elaine these past years, it seemed a wasted effort now.

"Of course, it will happen. Don't spread rumors. Ludwik and I have been through so much together. Just you wait and see!"

Elaine hung up abruptly, but within seconds, what Endora had mentioned was captured by paparazzi and splashed across the gossip columns. Mr. Lippert spotted at the movies with his ex-wife and child made the top of the trending searches. Speculations of him getting back with his ex-wife flooded the internet, dragging Elaine through the mud even more.

To make matters worse, she was bombarded with private messages from netizens, sharing screenshots from the embarrassing video from her wedding, calling her names, suggesting that's why Mr. Lippert dumped her. Unable to withstand the torment, Elaine screamed, her face contorted in rage. No, she had to do something about Ludwik and Whitney.

As she scrolled through the barrage of hateful messages, a sinister smile played on her lips. "Lyra," she called to her maid, "I have a plan to win Ludwik back. Do as I say..."