Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 457

Sandy shook her head, "Whitney, I really don't know, maybe someone parachuted in from above. I haven't seen any official announcement in the company system yet. Where did these people get their insider info? Our sales department is brand new. Uncle Hudson probably wanted to give you some practice, so both the head and deputy head of sales positions are up for grabs."

Whitney nodded. She wasn't too concerned about the positions, but this new arrival made her uneasy.

---

In his own lounge at Lippert Group, Ludwik quickly changed out of his blood-stained suit, ignoring the gash by his temple. He left the Lippert Group's main building with a senior executive, heading to another building housing subsidiaries and holdings.

The executive mentioned, "Today, you're to inspect the S-T Group, a subsidiary of the Sheldon Group, though we hold the majority share..."

Ludwik's thoughts were preoccupied with Sammy, eager to finish work and replace Whitney...

"Ludwik!" A surprised and soft voice came from the side.

He turned to see Florence entering S-T Group, dressed in work attire and carrying a briefcase, a stark contrast to her usual frail appearance.

"What a coincidence, my first day at work and I run into you doing an inspection?"

"You're working here?"

Florence was bashful, slightly awkward. "My sister joined S-T Group, and I thought, being sick is just wasting my life away, so I might as well learn from her in these last days. The family arranged for me to be a sales manager, but it's my first day, and I'm so nervous. Ludwik, could you introduce me later? That way, I won't feel so invisible."

She asked, her face showing a hint of insecurity.

Ludwik understood her concerns, especially with her needing to donate blood to her mother in three days. He needed to keep her spirits and health up.

"No problem," he said softly, "I'll make sure you're well received and not looked down upon."

"Ludwik, you're so kind. The S-T Group is so close to Lippert Family headquarters; you can come over for lunch and take care of me often."

Florence beamed, stepping closer to him.

Ludwik, cool and detached, offered a slight smile in response.

"Ludwik, you're hurt!" Florence suddenly reached for the wound by his temple.

Instinctively, Ludwik stepped aside, saying softly, "It's nothing."

"But I'm so worried about you..." Florence said, visibly concerned.

Ding-The elevator doors opened.

Ludwik stepped out first, instructing her to follow.

The S-T Group's leadership hurried over, nervously greeting, "Mr. Lippert! Welcome to our company for the inspection and performance review. This floor houses the sales department..." With a commanding presence, Ludwik ordered, "Gather the sales team."

Florence looked down, a slight smile crossing her face.

"Everyone in sales, please pause your work. Mr. Lippert has something to say," the leadership immediately announced.

The entire floor of employees stood up in alarm, all too aware of the influence of Lippert Group's foremost heir. The fate of S-T Group was in the hands of Lippert Family, its largest shareholder. Ludwik, with Florence by his side, addressed the crowd, "We have a new sales manager joining us today, Florence. She's not in the best of health, so I ask you all to look out for her." The introduction by Ludwik himself!

The employees were taken aback, surprised, and then, applause thundered through the room.

"Welcome, Ms. Sheldon!"

In this wave of welcomes, Whitney stepped out of the elevator, documents in hand, just in time to hear Ludwik's affectionate words.

The new manager was Florence! And Ludwik had appointed her?

Didn't he know she was the deputy manager? Or did he know but simply didn't care, since his beloved needed the manager position? At that moment, Whitney's heart ached unspeakably.

The ding of the elevator caught Ludwik's attention. He was tall, and his deep gaze instantly swept over the crowd towards her.

He saw Whitney and frowned. Why was she here?

"Ms. Valentine, with Ms. Sheldon taking over as manager, you'll assist her in running the sales department," an S-T Group leader said, approaching.

Sandy was visibly shocked, glancing at Florence with a cold look in her eyes. The parachuter was her? Well, that was both surprising and not.

Whitney nodded to the leader, aware of the entire office's eyes on her. She didn't look back at Ludwik, whose expression had darkened upon hearing "Ms. Valentine."

She went straight to Florence, ignoring the smug look in the younger woman's eyes, and briskly said, "Nice to meet you, Florence."

Then she returned to her office to drop off the documents.

Ludwik, watching her cold departure, felt a headache coming on. How was he supposed to know Whitney was the deputy manager? Clearly, his personal introduction of Florence and endorsing her to the entire company might lead to misunderstandings.

"Mr. Lippert, you'll be with S-T Group for a few days for the review. We've set up an office for you. You must be tired, why not rest a bit?" The leader offered, trying to please on all fronts.

Thinking of Whitney being here, Ludwik, who had intended to leave, decided to stay and entered the spacious office.

"Everyone, leave," he dismissed the surrounding leaders.

The desk was piled with S-T Group's performance reports. He lit a cigarette, frowning slightly, and pressed the phone, "Send Ms. Valentine to my office."

In Whitney's office, the door swung open and in walked Florence, her steps timid but her smile wide. "Sis, bet you never saw this coming, me being your boss?"

"I never really wanted to be a manager, you know? Just mentioned wanting to join the company to learn from the best - you. But Ludwik went straight to Derek at S-T Group and just like that, I was appointed. S-T Group might as well be his toy, and he hates the thought of me facing any hardship... Are you upset about it?"

"If it bothers you, I can talk to him. Maybe I can just be your subordinate?"

Watching Florence flaunt her triumph, Whitney had to admit, it was a sharp sting. She reminded herself to take Florence's words with a grain of salt; this was just a tactic to needle her.

But the thought that a man, knowing well she held the position of assistant manager, would disregard her feelings to please Florence, placing her beneath Florence - wasn't that an insult?

Even if his love had faded, couldn't he offer her a shred of respect?

A cold chill settled in her heart, but Whitney's response was laced with sarcasm. "Whether I'm happy or not doesn't matter. You seem pleased with yourself, don't you? Playing the saint after sinning, and now lecturing me during work hours? Sweetie, you've never worked a day in your life; you don't even know the first thing about professional etiquette. What should a manager be doing now, hm? I'm below you now, far too humble to teach. Maybe we should call Dad in to give you a crash course on workplace responsibilities?"

Florence's face twitched at the insult, but she didn't lose her composure. Her eyes welled up as she lowered her head, "You're right, sis. I just came to add you on Facebook for work-related matters down the line."

Whitney wanted nothing to do with adding her, but for the sake of professionalism, it was unavoidable.

She reluctantly scanned Florence's phone with her work Facebook account. Florence's lips curved into a sly smile, giving Whitney a long, penetrating look. "Sis, I'll head out to work then."

Something about her smile didn't sit right with Whitney, who, after a few seconds of contemplation, impulsively clicked on Florence's Twitter profile.

The latest tweet made her breath catch in her throat, instantly regretting her curiosity.