Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 445

"What night are you talking about, Mrs. Lippert? I'm totally lost here," Whitney replied, her expression a perfect blend of confusion and innocence.

Thea squinted her eyes, understanding Whitney's game but not about to play into it.

Sitting with the posture of a queen, Thea pressed her lips together, took a sip of her coffee-black, no sugar, as was her style and elegantly slid a card across the table.

Her eyes were frosty as she spoke, "Fill in your terms, Ms. Valentine. Keep your lips sealed, or else, what do you think will become of you?"

Whitney's hands clenched under the table. She knew all too well the kind of power Mrs. Lippert wielded; a woman of her standing could make people disappear without breaking a sweat. The secret Whitney had stumbled upon was like a ticking time bomb.

Yet, accepting money was off the table. It would only make Whitney more vulnerable to Thea's manipulations.

With her eyes downcast, Whitney looked the picture of calm. Raising her head slowly, she smiled, her voice barely above a whisper, "Mrs. Lippert, Jarvis is your son, isn't he? The biological kind." Thea's demeanor changed in an instant. She had known from the start that Whitney's observant eyes were trouble.

Suddenly, Whitney shifted from defense to offense, holding her ground with grace.

"Oh, please," Thea scoffed, gripping her coffee cup, "You think you can blackmail me? Ms. Valentine, you're playing with fire. Everyone knows Jarvis was picked up from a battlefield by the General. He shares no blood with the Lippert family. Watch your mouth, or it'll cost you." Whitney remained silent, but Thea's tense tone confirmed her suspicions.

Pushing the card back, Whitney spoke with a hint of self-preservation, "I won't spread rumors. I just wanted to make you aware that I know something. What I stumbled upon that night... well, I wouldn't want to cause any trouble for Jason or Ludwik. I value my life too much for that. It's up to you, Mrs. Lippert, whether you see me as a threat."

Thea's cold demeanor was unmistakable.

Whitney stood up, her voice steady, "Mrs. Lippert, I've had my coffee. I'll be leaving now. Enjoy yours."

She walked out, her heart racing.

Once the door closed behind her, Thea had her bodyguard follow Whitney, then made a call. Jarvis on the other end asked, "Godmother, how did it go?"

"She's onto us, that little brat! For now, she's keeping quiet, but watch out for her and Ludwik. If they get close, she might back him up. Once your adoptive father replaces out about your origins, our cover's blown."

"Keep calm," came the reply, a voice deep and unreadable, "She's just a girl. If she steps out of line, we'll take care of her."

"Indeed." Thea's eyes narrowed, "This ticking time bomb needs to be watched closely. We can't let her ruin our plans."

Driving towards the airport, Whitney couldn't help but marvel at the secrets hidden within the Lippert family. It was like a chess game spanning over two decades, with Jason, a powerful commander, unknowingly raising a 'son' that wasn't his, and his wife's lover lurking close by... Who was that middle-aged man, really?

Raising Jarvis within the Lippert family, were they aiming to take over everything?

And Ludwik... he was in a world of danger.

But first, Whitney had to worry about herself, feeling like she was now a target for Thea.

-

"Bryce."

At the airport entrance, Whitney smiled at Bryce, who was approaching with his luggage.

The handsome man reached her, pulling her into a gentle hug, "Whitney, I've missed you..."

Her smile stiffened slightly as she stepped back, teasing him, "Mr. Lutz, you've become quite the charmer. Let's go."

She hurriedly opened the car door.

Bryce's gaze darkened as he watched her, his feelings clear but patiently restrained. He had heard that Ludwik was back in the Lippert fold with a new girlfriend, and Whitney had cut ties.

Laughing softly, the man got into the car, and they drove off.

Unbeknownst to them, Sienna, who had come to pick up a friend, snapped several photos and sent them to Florence with a sneer, "Isn't this Whitney with that married man from Banyan City? Just two country bumpkins all over each other."

Florence, upon seeing the photos, instructed Myra to dig into the man's identity, unaware that Whitney's marriage to Ludwik was over.

Soon enough, Drew found out, "Ms. Sheldon, this man is Bryce, Whitney's rumored love interest in Banyan City."

"Interesting," Florence mused, thinking of Ludwik. She decided to keep the photos for later use.

-

"Bryce, I'm impressed. You've established several factories in Emperor City, all strategically located in the economic development zone. Quite visionary." Whitney admired Bryce's work as they toured the Lutz Group's facilities, reflecting on the complex web of relationships and secrets that entangled their lives. Bryce flashed a grin. "The headquarters for Lutz Group and the new Skye Gem Ltd office - I've found the perfect spot not far from here. Let's head out now."

Upon arriving at a vast expanse of land on the outskirts of the city, Whitney was astounded. "Can you believe Emperor City still has such prime real estate available?"

"If we set up our headquarters here, we could even build a jewelry manufacturing plant right behind it. It would be a fully integrated operation."

Bryce added, "I've heard this prime location is tied up in legal issues, so the price is incredibly low. Given that property prices skyrocket beyond Emperor City's outer ring, this is a rare opportunity. If we can secure it, it would solve a lot of issues for both Skye Gem Ltd. and the Lutz Group."

As they were discussing their plans, a deep voice suddenly interrupted, "Whitney?"

She turned around, surprised. "Shane?"

Her eyes widened slightly as Shane, holding a hard hat, approached them, flanked by several project managers.

"Mr. Nelson, what a coincidence," she greeted him with a polite smile.

Shane extended his hand. "Indeed, it's quite the coincidence. I'm also interested in this plot. And who might this be?"

"Mr. Lutz, a friend of mine."

Bryce sized up Shane, noting his distinguished air, typical of Emperor City's elite. He noticed Shane's keen look towards Whitney and felt a hint of discomfort, which he quickly masked with a cordial handshake. "Mr. Nelson, a pleasure."

"Likewise. Whitney, since we've run into each other, how about I join you in checking out the land?"

Shane suggested cheerfully.

He moved closer to Whitney and explained, "This land was initially intended for a golf course, believed to be owned by the Lippert family, particularly Riley Lippert. But something went awry, and now it's up for sale. It's caught the attention of many due to its low price, including families like the Nelsons and the Walkers. Have you also taken an interest?"