Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 414

In the Vice President's office, Jarvis's demeanor darkened for a brief moment when he found out that his subordinate, Derek, had been fired directly by Ludwik. Just yesterday, he had made snide remarks about Ludwik not being familiar with the top brass at the Lippert Corporation during an event in the grand hall. Today, Ludwik had retorted by not only dismissing Derek but also his and Riley's boss, signaling that he didn't need to win over any branch managers with charm when he had other, more direct means at his disposal.

However, Jarvis's smile quickly returned. With this move, Ludwik thought he was showing strength, but in reality, he was just poking the bear. Jarvis knew that he didn't even need to intervene; with Riley and three other managers being fired, they would make the first move. Ludwik's boldness in firing them would mean nothing if he couldn't get the work done. Sitting in that CEO office, he'd soon become a joke, a leader who couldn't lead anyone.

Jarvis was well-versed in the art of corporate power plays and knew it wasn't going to be as easy for Ludwik as he thought.

---

Contrary to Jarvis and Riley's expectations, the CEO's office remained quiet, with no announcements for manager assignments or shareholder meetings. The silence was puzzling until, just after 9:30, when all the managers, including Mr. Nelson, were waiting, Ludwik called them in for a meeting. They were prepared to follow their superiors' instructions: to challenge and delay Ludwik from engaging with any corporate affairs as much as possible.

But as the elevator doors opened, an elite team strode out, mostly men, all in sharp suits. With serious and cold expressions, they carried their laptops and quickly made their way to the CEO's office.

Felix, with a welcoming smile, opened the door, "Welcome to Mr. Lippert's brain trust!"

"Mr. Lippert has been expecting you."

"Good morning, Mr. Lippert."

The team entered in an orderly fashion. Ludwik, leaning against his desk with an air of nobility, simply gestured with his hand without saying a word. The team immediately got to work, laptops open and ready. "Felix, what are those peeping toms outside doing?" one of the female managers asked.

Felix, by the door, closed it with a slow smile, loudly proclaiming, "Those are the Lippert Corporation's general managers waiting for Mr. Lippert to assign them tasks. But Mr. Lippert doesn't need their talent. The usual corporate infighting tactics don't apply to him; he's not interested!"

Ludwik's gaze softened, revealing a lazy smirk, his expression chilling. The strategic team chuckled. They had been with Mr. Lippert at Skyfaith for three years, versatile talents capable of fitting into any corporation and hitting the ground running!

When Jarvis and Riley's spies heard this, they rushed back to their offices in shock.

"What? He brought his own team to work without involving any of the Lippert Corporation's staff? Isn't this a clear message that his team could replace any position in the company, making me just for show?!"

Riley slammed his desk, his face contorted in frustration, suddenly feeling threatened by this newcomer. He had intended to use his corporate power to embarrass Ludwik. But Ludwik was unfazed by his tactics, having his own plans and bringing his leadership team directly into the fray!

In his office, Jarvis took a deep drag of his cigarette, his smile darkening, "So, Ludwik, using Riley to make an example out of me? Bypassing our managers and directly handling corporate business with his team, thinking he can leave us without a way to challenge him?" Jarvis stood up, his laugh cold, "What files has he requested so far?"

"Sir, he's requested all the subsidiaries' data, detailed to the last. And about a dozen major projects, though the core real estate and finance are still in your and the old man's hands."

Jarvis exhaled smoke, "Lock all the major project files! When he asks, tell him the shareholders are withholding authority. Let's see how he survives this."

His subordinate nodded, a cold smile on their face.

---

In the CEO's office, Ludwik, as if expecting this, nodded coolly, "No rush."

"Let's see what Jarvis has up his sleeve."

Today was just his first day on the job, and firing a few old-timers was just causing ripples on the surface, a signal that he wasn't easily fooled. To truly control the Lippert Corporation, he had to dismantle their power, one by one.

As he was contemplating, the office phone rang. Felix answered, his expression strange, "Mr. Lippert, the caller identified themselves as Florence? She wants to meet, intending to cancel the arranged marriage."

Ludwik, surprised, looked up. He had the Sheldon family's contact but hadn't called them yet. Florence taking the initiative? If both parties were unwilling, then it was for the best.

"What time?" he asked calmly.

"They suggested this morning if you're available."

"Alright."

---

At 10 a.m., Ludwik arrived first at the Garden Café near the Lippert Group. He sat in the private booth, his posture relaxed as he reviewed documents. Florence paused at the door, peering through the crack at his handsome profile, a slight smile touching her pale lips. With a mysterious glint in her eyes, she pushed open the door, lowering her gaze to start, "Ludwik, I'm sorry, I'm Ms. Sheldon Florence. I wanted to meet to kindly decline our arranged marriage. I've heard of your wealth and influence, but those don't matter to me. I detest being bound by family interests. I've already found someone I cherish and hope you can understand..."

Her soft voice made Ludwik look up, his eyes slightly surprised, "Florence?"

"Ah?" The girl suddenly looked up, her eyes wide in confusion, "Nor-, Ludwik? What are you doing here? Isn't this the booth Ludwik booked? Did I enter the wrong one?"

Her confusion was palpable.

Ludwik frowned, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind, but seeing her innocent face, he spoke up, "You've got the right person. I'm Ludwik."

"How can this be..." the girl was stunned.

He was equally astonished, "You're Ms. Sheldon?"

Florence, slightly embarrassed, explained, "Yes, I am, Ludwik... I was afraid that if you knew I came from a wealthy family, you might not like me."

The man squinted a bit, observing her, "You didn't know I'm Ludwik? The whole country's news outlets have been buzzing about it."

Florence shook her head, coughing softly in her rush, "I usually keep to myself, don't really follow the newspapers. My father arranged for Ludwik to enter into a marriage alliance with me, but I had no interest in marrying into another wealthy family. How could it be you? This is too much of a coincidence..." Her ears turned a delicate shade of red, full of surprise.

Ludwik let his doubts fade, understanding the mix-up. He didn't know the donor was Florence. It seemed she also didn't know that he was Ludwik, wanting to reject the arranged marriage, that's why she arranged to meet him.

"Since it's all a misunderstanding, let's sit down, shall we?"

Ludwik, hiding his surprise, stood up to pull out a chair for her. The girl, still in astonishment, excitedly grabbed his arm, "Ludwik, we must be fated to meet. To think we'd meet by chance in Banyan City and then our families arranged a marriage between us. Is this what they call destiny? I... I thought you were just an ordinary company executive, hoping to replace a simple man to love, to spend my tender remaining years with. Little did I know, I was so wrong... you're Ludwik." She looked at him, her eyes clear and pure, reflecting only him.

Ludwik withdrew his arm, sitting down beside her, "I am Ludwik, not the ordinary man you wished for. Are you having second thoughts?"

Florence paused, her plan today was to let him see her simplicity and unassuming nature. She couldn't afford to let anything go awry, smiling naively, "As long as it's you, Ludwik, I'm happy. Are you having doubts? Because of his mother, he couldn't back out now. So, whether she was really Florence didn't matter.

He answered, "Our agreement stands."

Florence, coughing lightly, her eyes brightening, "What a coincidence. Then, I guess I don't have to reject the arranged marriage? After all, Ludwik, you're my boyfriend, and us getting engaged is a fact!"