Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 438

Holly and Joanne.

One was determined to ruin Whitney's reputation. A scandalous night with Justin, the notorious playboy, would ensure Whitney's disgrace, shattering her chances of joining the prestigious Sheldon Group.

Joanne, lured by Holly's machinations, coveted Whitney's 10% stake in the Sheldon Group. Fearing Hudson's wrath, she schemed to have Whitney 'seduce' her son, Justin. This way, Justin could marry into the Sheldon family, helping Riley stand up to Ludwik in the corporate arena.

But shortly after they barged into the villa, Joanne let out a shriek!

By the poolside, Justin and a muscular, shirtless man were entangled in a compromising position. Their shirts lay scattered around, painting a scandalous picture.

Joanne was dumbstruck, watching her son's bare behind being spanked with a belt. Her cheeks flushed purple with shock, and her muscles twitched in disbelief. "Ew! Justin is so gross, he's actually with a man, a man!" Sienna, ever the blabbermouth, couldn't keep it to herself.

Instantly, everyone who had followed Joanne into the villa turned their attention to the scene.

"Justin, you little rascal, what's the meaning of this..." Joanne's voice was a mix of anger and disbelief as she rushed over.

"Mom, it's not what it looks like, he just jumped me!" Justin scrambled to pull up his pants and defend himself.

Heidi, always one to enjoy a spectacle, clicked her tongue, "Who would've thought Justin had it in him, not minding the company of either sex!"

"Damn it! I told you, it's this guy-he-" Justin was cut off as Parker covered his mouth and nose.

Parker, feigning disgust, leaned in closer, "Oh, Justin, you weren't calling me 'disgusting' when you were enjoying it, were you?"

"..." Justin was on the verge of exploding.

The situation had escalated beyond decency.

Holly, taken aback by the sight of Justin and another man, realized this wasn't part of the plan. The Lippert family's butler was supposed to bring Whitney here.

But after scouring the pool area and replaceing neither Whitney nor any signs of struggle, Holly wondered if Whitney might be hiding.

Quickly signaling to Sienna, they dashed into Justin's mansion, calling out, "Whitney? Whitney, where are you?"

Minutes later, Holly emerged, empty-handed.

Joanne was too preoccupied with her son's scandal to worry about their scheme. The sight of so many witnesses to her son's indiscretion left her wishing she could turn back time and never have entered the villa. Holly approached Justin, "Justin, have you seen our young Miss?"

"I, she..." Justin was once again silenced by Parker.

Parker jestingly said, "Justin was too busy with me to notice any girls, he said he's fallen for me!"

"Get lost..." Justin was disgusted.

Joanne felt like she could vomit blood.

Unaware of Parker's antics and replaceing him repulsive, Holly quickly shifted her strategy, "Then where could Whitney have gone? She couldn't just disappear, Joanne, Heidi, I must replace her. How will I explain this to the Master if something happens to her?" Joanne, snapping out of her daze, agreed, "Mrs. Sheldon, don't worry, Ms. Sheldon came to our banquet, and we can't let anything happen to her. I'll immediately send some servants to search with you."

"I'll help too," Heidi offered, seizing the opportunity to involve herself.

Parker watched these women's theatrics, sending a text to Ludwik as soon as they left.

"What's your deal, you sick gay, what's your relationship with Whitney?" Justin, fuming, confronted Parker from behind.

Parker, disgusted, stepped on Justin's face, "Chill, I almost threw up my dinner. I'm perfectly straight, thank you very much."

He reminded Justin of an incident three years ago when, under the influence and mistakenly ending up with Endora, he had proven his heterosexuality beyond doubt.

After dressing, Parker ominously warned, "Keep quiet about Whitney being here. But at this point, who'd believe anything you say?"

Outside Justin's villa, Holly and Joanne had gathered numerous servants from the Lippert family for a large-scale search for Whitney. Parker sensed trouble brewing.

-

Upon receiving the text, Ludwik stood up abruptly.

Florence, sensing her mother might be orchestrating something, quickly tried to distract Ludwik with a plea to visit the Lippert family's private cinema, hinting at wanting his company alone.

Ludwik, however, was distracted, his mind on the message. With a brief apology, he explained the need for personal space and freedom, assuring Florence she was in good hands before rushing off to address the urgent matter, leaving Florence to her devices. Florence had the look of an angel but was boiling inside. Reflecting on it, Ludwik only showed her tenderness in front of his family or at the party earlier to get under Whitney's skin. Alone, his true colors showed through: distant, aloof, and merely polite out of obligation. Every time she tried to hold his arm, he would swiftly pull away, a clear rejection of her affection.

In such circumstances, she didn't stand a chance to captivate his heart.

Deep down, she knew he was only interested in her for her looks. She regretted not using a fake illness to blackmail him earlier!

Watching Ludwik grab his coat and stride out, Florence seethed. Was he rushing to Whitney's rescue?

Was he still that concerned about that witch?

Jealousy flared within her, and she quickly texted her mother, Holly, hinting, "Mom, Ludwik might be on his way. Step it up!"

She couldn't risk exposing herself.

But if her mother succeeded in catching Whitney and Justin in a compromising situation, Ludwik would have no choice but to abandon Whitney. Florence smirked with cold satisfaction.

-

Standing before Whitney was an elderly maid, holding a vintage electric lantern, giving Whitney quite the scare.

Whitney gasped and stepped back.

The maid spoke, "Whitney, I'm from Camilla's quarters. Can't replace your way out of Justin's estate, huh?

Camilla sent me to help you, to show you the way."

Whitney frowned, "Camilla again?"