Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 433

"Look at you, causing trouble again..." Joanne had no choice but to climb the stairs and pull him away, catching a glimpse of Whitney out of the corner of her eye.

Joanne fixed her gaze on her son, instantly understanding, and, feeling a headache coming on, tapped his head. "I knew it. You've got your eyes on a girl again. Anyway, I was about to talk to you about her..." Suddenly, Joanne spotted Jarvis and abruptly stopped speaking. In the Lippert family, everyone was cautious around each other.

After all, Jarvis was notorious within the Lippert family for being ruthless and cunning. Riley had had his fair share of troubles with him in the past.

Joanne forced a smile. "Oh, Jarvis is here. Come on, Justin, let's go."

"Mom, what were you saying? Who were you about to talk to me about?" Justin asked eagerly, even as his mother pulled him away.

Joanne tried to silence him, cautiously glancing at Jarvis before quickly leading her son away.

Jarvis squinted slightly, his gaze drifting down to Whitney before breaking into a smirk.

Things were getting interesting.

----

Sienna said, "Ludwik, Florence threw up, and I was severe. You have to come quickly; I'm afraid she might faint!"

Ludwik immediately called for a doctor.

On their way, Sienna gritted her teeth. "It's all Whitney's fault. She deliberately wore the same red dress as Florence, flaunting it around, making others mock Florence, saying she's not as pretty or as well-shaped as Whitney. Florence, considering her sister's feelings, only dared to hide in the bathroom, heartbroken. And to think she drank so much liver broth just to make you happy, only to end up throwing it all up because she was upset. She must be feeling terrible..."

Ludwik's brows furrowed, feeling a twinge of guilt; it wasn't for his sake alone. It was for their mother, desperately gulping down an entire bowl...

"Florence."

Outside the women's restroom, Ludwik called out.

Florence, looking drained from vomiting, leaned against the wall and tearfully apologized, "Ludwik, I'm useless... couldn't even keep down a bowl of broth."

"Sienna explained to me, it was distress that made you vomit. Don't blame yourself," Ludwik said, his brows knitting together.

After a brief check, the doctor shook his head at Ludwik. "Ludwik, Florence has developed petechiae and an irregular heartbeat; her blood pressure won't stabilize today either."

Ludwik's expression darkened. With her condition now, how would she be able to donate blood to their mother in a week?

"Ludwik, I'll try another bowl later," Florence coughed, managing a bitter smile. "I just fear my mood might make me vomit again."

Ludwik looked at her pale face, trying to offer comfort. "Florence, you looked beautiful in the red dress."

Florence, with tear-rimmed eyes, shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips. "Don't lie to me, Ludwik. People said I was trying too hard, but I've always envied my sister's figure. I wanted to change out of the dress to avoid making her uncomfortable. But today, meeting the Lippert family elders for the first time, I wanted to wear something festive and respectful. Being sick has left me pale, and I've never worn red before. I didn't expect my first time to end up being overshadowed by my sister. I've always felt inferior..."

"It was her intention to wear the same dress as you!" Sienna exclaimed angrily. "What did you do wrong, Florence? You're too kind. If anyone should change, it should be her. Such a vulgar dress doesn't belong at a Lippert family gathering. Right, Ludwik?" "I'll handle it."

Ludwik stood up, his gaze deep as an abyss, pressing his eyebrows. "I'll give you the respect and dignity a 'girlfriend' deserves. I won't let anyone belittle you. Calm your emotions, Florence. Your blood pressure can't afford to drop further."

With those words, Ludwik turned and left with a determined stride.

Florence lowered her head, a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

She had intentionally worn the same red dress as Whitney, aiming for this moment, seeking to wound her more deeply than any insult Ludwik could hurl at Whitney.

---

Just as Whitney was about to sneak outside for a break, Parker suddenly appeared in front of her.

Caught off guard, she exclaimed, "Mr. Doonan, you're at the Lippert family gathering too? I didn't see you earlier."

Parker gave a wry smile; he was there undercover, protecting Ludwik, not as a guest.

"Ms. Valentine, may I have a word with you?"

Parker was one of the few acquaintances Whitney had made since arriving in Emperor City, and with Ludwik practically a stranger now, she was glad for the company and nodded. Following him to a second-floor parlor, Parker's expression shifted as he stepped aside, gesturing towards the room. "Ludwik is inside, wanting to see you."

Whitney turned cold. "Mr. Doonan, are you playing games with me? The noble Ludwik now has a new girlfriend, my own sister. Aren't you aware?"

Parker internally groaned. Indeed, he was shocked to see Ludwik's choice of companion for the evening and was equally baffled by his actions. The door suddenly flung open, and a hand reached out, pulling Whitney inside.

Parker sighed and retreated into the shadows.

Inside-

Whitney steadied herself, turning to face Ludwik's piercing gaze.

She looked down at her red dress, then stepped aside, her face turning icy. "What do you want, Ludwik?"

Ludwik stood in the center of the room, a towering figure with an imposing aura, his voice cold as ice. "Take off that dress you're wearing and put on that one instead."

He nodded towards a dark green maxi dress draped over the couch, a high-necked, floor-length number that screamed outdated.

Whitney glared at him. "You're insane."

"Why should I change? Just let me go." She reached out to knock on the door.

Ludwik stepped closer, his gaze lingering on her collarbone and slender waist, his mind flooded with the crude remarks Justin and Jarvis had made.

A rage ignited within him, making his breath come in heavy pants.

His next words were deliberately sharp. "Do I need to spell it out for you? Your dress is the same color as Florence's. She's my girlfriend, the hostess of tonight's dinner party. I won't allow you to wear the same color as her, outshining her and giving people something to gossip about."

Whitney realized what he had said.

Looking at his cold, unyielding face, she momentarily lost her ability to speak.

Her head buzzed, still in pain. This man was escalating his means of hurting her rapidly.

It felt as though her heart was exposed, an open wound. Whitney let out a scoff. "I guess we're the same gender too. So, your disapproval means I should also get a gender reassignment surgery, Ludwik!"