Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 436

"Aunt Pat, I'm just being hospitable, you know," Justin said, grinning cheekily.

Joanne shot her son a withering look, practically seething. She had told him to get close to Whitney tonight, but not to rush it like some headless chicken and potentially ruin her carefully laid plans... Stepping on his foot, Justin toned it down a notch. Thea chimed in, "Since you're here, why don't you join us for dinner? Oh dear, what happened to the shoulder of your dress?"

All eyes suddenly turned to Whitney, revealing the torn fabric of her dress, hastily knotted to hide the damage.

Ludwik too was looking, his gaze uncomfortably obvious.

Faced with his insincere concern, Whitney felt a provocative urge and deliberately responded to Thea, "Mrs. Lippert, this dress was tampered with by someone..."

"Let's eat! The less important folks can hold their tongues," Ludwik interjected with a cough, summoning the butler while shooting Whitney a warning glance. She wasn't to speak out or provoke him.

Whitney smirked inwardly, amused to replace Ludwik also capable of nervousness. So much for his aloof demeanor, forcing her to change her dress like that.

It seemed even in the Lippert family, a veritable lion's den fraught with danger, Ludwik had to watch his step.

Now, with his alliance to Florence, he couldn't afford a scandal with Whitney, she thought bitterly.

Catching his weakness, she arched an eyebrow and looked away, leaving Ludwik to stew in his frustrations.

Ludwik, aware of her defiant little gestures, couldn't help but let his gaze linger on her, though to others it appeared he paid her no heed.

Suddenly, Ludwik stood up, turning to address the matriarch, "Grandma—"

Before anyone had started eating, the younger family members all stood, echoing, "Grandma!"

Whitney looked up, curious, and saw an elderly lady with silver hair, leaning on a cane, making her way to the table.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Wasn't this the kind-hearted old lady who had comforted her at the party?

She was none other than Camilla Lippert, the venerable matriarch of the Lippert family?!

"Please, sit down. I'm just old bones and seldom join these young folks' gatherings. Jason invited me for dinner, and I'll be off to the backyard afterward," the elderly voice said, warm and detached from worldly concerns as she took her seat. Noticing Whitney's intense gaze, the old lady gave her a subtle wink.

Whitney blinked in astonishment.

With many eyes around, Whitney got the message and quietly continued her meal, lowering her presence. Throughout dinner, Justin attempted to engage her in conversation a few times and even passed her dishes. Whitney keenly felt the atmosphere at the table drop around a certain area...

After the meal, Camilla left early.

Once most of the Lipperts had departed, Whitney stood up, seeking a quieter spot to breathe in some fresh air.

She smelled smoke and turned to replace Ludwik leaning against a wall, his tall frame casting a daunting shadow, his handsome features darkened by the night. He flicked his cigarette ash, saying, "If I were you, I'd stay away from Justin. He's bad news. You should hear what people say about him!"

Whitney raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and he's worse than you in the fidelity department?"

Her tone dripped with disbelief and sarcasm.

Ludwik's expression darkened, "Just a word of advice. He prefers women like you, who've had children."

The disdain in his voice was palpable, labeling her a woman scorned for reasons beyond her control.

Whitney's beautiful eyes flashed with anger, but she found the exchange pointless. Now that he had Florence, of course, he'd disapprove of her, the scorned woman.

She turned away with a scoff, "Worry about your precious Florence. Why care about me? You're shameless."

Ludwik's face went dark, realizing Whitney was not taking his advice and instead choosing to challenge him.

Sighing inwardly, he noticed Parker lurking in the shadows, "Parker."

Reluctantly, Parker stepped forward.

Ludwik, rubbing his temple, instructed, "Keep an eye on her until she leaves the party, especially around Justin."

Parker hesitated before looking directly into Ludwik's eyes, "Do you still love Whitney, Ludwik?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths.

Ludwik's expression suddenly changed, and he abruptly stopped as his phone rang. It was a call from Florence.

"I've got something," he said, furrowing his brow. "You should head out too."

Parker watched him leave, his questions left unanswered.

Parker's mind was deep in thought, trying to piece together the possible connections between Sammy or Natalie and Florence.

Yet, Ludwik's reaction to Florence didn't seem to hint at any romantic feelings. The first thing he did upon receiving her call was frown.

If a man loved a woman, he surely wouldn't react that way.

But if he didn't love her, why would he be so responsive and anxious about Florence?

Parker's brow furrowed in contemplation.

-

In a secluded room.

Thea frowned, turning to Jarvis, "West Side, I overheard outside the tea room that Ludwik's been digging into your subsidiary companies? Your stepfather pretends to look after the Patrick family, but did you see the look he gave Ludwik? This kid's stirring up a lot, even managed to pry into Řiley's turf. I'm really worried he might uncover the stuff you've been secretly funneling from the Lippert family to the Patrick Group..."

Jarvis raised his hand to interrupt, his gaze cold, "Godmother, what's the rush? We've laid our foundation for years. Do you think Ludwik can just waltz in and uncover it all that easily? Tell Uncle Wade to keep the Patrick Group under the radar, quietly sitting at the bottom of the Emperor City Corporation's list. We need to continue leeching off the Lippert family until it's dry... Then, the Patrick Group will leap to become the number one family in Harmonia Country. As for Ludwik, I don't need to lift a finger against him yet. You might not know this, but Ludwik and the new heiress of the Sheldon family, they've been married and even had a child!"

"The one at the dinner table today?" Thea was shocked, "But isn't Ludwik supposed to be in an arranged relationship with Florence?"

Jarvis smirked, "That's why him juggling between the two Sheldon sisters is bound to capsize him sooner or later. Will Hudson let him off the hook then? Besides, I've stumbled upon something even more interesting..."