Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 460

Florence couldn't take any criticism, so she thought she could just falsely accuse Sandy and get her kicked out of the company?

Whitney saw right through that scheme. Florence was clearly trying to kill two birds with one stone.

Sandy and Whitney were close friends, and Whitney would never stand by and watch her friend get bullied. That would be like taking a hit from Florence herself.

But if Whitney dared to defend Sandy, Ludwik might just fire her along with Sandy.

Whitney looked over at Florence, who was playing the victim, then turned her steely gaze to Ludwik, whose face was storming over.

She glanced back at the office space and pointed out, "Mr. Lippert believes Sandy deliberately pushed Nyx? I'm curious, though. If Nyx was in such a hurry for their coffee date with Mr. Lippert, carrying two steaming cups, why didn't she take the shortest route? Why go all the way around to Sandy's desk?"

Florence played the pity card, "Sis, I just saw Sandy and thought I'd say hi, maybe I startled her, and she pushed me by accident."

"So, let me get this straight, you scared her on purpose, made her turn around, and then you spilled your coffee on purpose to blame it on her?" Whitney scoffed.

Florence's eyes narrowed, and she quickly started to sob, looking at Ludwik, "Why would sis say that about me? I got burned too. Ludwik, let's just forget it. I'll apologize to Sandy... Sis always said I don't understand the corporate world. I don't want her to think I'm a bother anymore. After all, this might be my only career chance..."

The more pitiful she sounded, the more Ludwik worried about her, thinking Whitney was mocking Florence. She had been a CEO, and now she looked down on Florence just because she was ill?

His face grew colder as he glared at Whitney, "Enough of your accusations. With her frail condition, does she really need to scheme against others? I'm warning you, keep it up, and I won't hesitate to fire you along with her!"

Whitney stared back at his perfect features, her heart stinging with anger. Just because Florence was weak, she could do no wrong? Whitney wanted to crack open his head and see for herself!

His favoritism for Florence was blinding him to the point of threatening to fire her too?

Whitney bit her lip and laughed angrily, "Mr. Lippert, so tyrannical, firing employees based on whims rather than facts. Shouldn't we just check the security footage to see if Nyx really set Sandy up?"

With Ludwik in the room, nobody dared to speak up, quietly enjoying the drama. But then, an old colleague suggested, "Mr. Lippert... maybe we should check the surveillance. There's a camera right above Sandy's desk!"

Florence tensed up, feigning weakness, "Ludwik, my ankle might be infected, can you, maybe, take me to soak it in cold water? Sandy, sis, let's just say it was my fault, okay? I was just so nervous coming to the company, not knowing anyone, I was actually happy to see Sandy and wanted to chat. Turns out, even that was wrong. Sis wants to check the footage to defend Sandy, I get it. But can't you feel sorry for me, don't... don't delay my treatment, it hurts too much."

Ludwik's face softened with pity towards Florence, his look towards Whitney growing colder.

Whitney smirked, her words dripping with sarcasm, making Florence's plea seem even more manipulative. Ludwik, of course, fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

"Call a doctor to my office!" he ordered, helping Florence up.

His gaze then turned icy towards Whitney and Sandy, "She's not holding it against you, so let's drop it. Don't push me further. Labor dispute? Ha, go ahead and try!"

Whitney stared back at his frosty face, all his warmth reserved for Florence. She couldn't help but challenge him, "Mr. Lippert, so powerful, he can even prevent labor disputes from happening. Putting his girlfriend in the office, turning it into a love nest, and making us subordinates collateral damage. Nyx, on her first day, not working, but brewing love potions for Mr. Lippert. Such a shining example of corporate culture, I'm sure we're all eager to follow suit. If S-T Group ever goes under, it'll be thanks to Mr. Lippert and Nyx!" The colleagues remained silent, but their glances towards Florence spoke volumes. Indeed, an executive, but Florence seemed clueless, turning work hours into coffee dates?

Florence's face darkened. She hadn't expected Whitney to dare to provoke Ludwik publicly, stirring up employee dissent against her.

Ludwik's chest heaved with anger. Florence bit her lip, tears swirling, "Ludwik, I'm sorry if I've caused you any trouble. But making coffee, you had agreed to it, I didn't expect sis to accuse me too. I might not understand my job well, but with my condition... I'm trying my best. What do I have to do to make sis not despise me? Maybe, I shouldn't stay at the company..." "What's wrong with you." Ludwik's eyes narrowed coldly. Had Whitney had enough, using her sharp tongue to cut so deep?

His anger towards Whitney boiled over, protectively holding Florence close, "Whitney, enough with your bitter words. Florence came here looking to learn from you, and this is how you treat her? She deserves to be here. If you're uncomfortable, then you can leave!" He hadn't fired Sandy, considering Whitney's defense of her, trying to keep the peace, yet Whitney wouldn't let go, publicly humiliating him!

Ludwik supported Florence as they made their way into his office, with the doctor arriving shortly after. Through the tension, his worried shouts for Florence could still be heard.

Whitney clenched her fists in frustration. For Florence's sake, she had considered quitting her job, pushing her away more than once.

The message was clear: he would protect Florence at all costs. If Florence felt even slightly uncomfortable, Whitney was the one to be ousted.

Florence was his darling, believed and pampered. A mere scald on her ankle had him in a panic!

A cold fog seemed to settle in Whitney's eyes, piercing her heart with an uncontrollable sadness, followed by a sobering disappointment.

"Whitney..." Sandy whispered, wincing in pain.

A colleague quietly chimed in, "Assistant Manager, you can't fight the boss. Florence is Mr. Lippert's girlfriend, and he's obviously protective of her. Let's just be careful from now on." Whitney forced a smile, supporting Sandy. "It's okay! You got scalded, right? Let's head to the clinic."

Sandy's lips were pale as she slightly lifted her collar to reveal a red burn on her neck.

She managed a bitter smile, "Whitney, thank you for helping me. Otherwise, I would have not only suffered this burn in vain today but also would have been forced out because of her." "She's not just after you; she's targeting me," Whitney stated coldly.

Seeing the extent of Sandy's burn, which was much larger than Florence's, showcased Florence's cunning nature. She was ruthless, knowing Sandy couldn't just expose the burn in public, while her own ankle was visible to all. Whitney twisted her fingers, her eyes narrowing coldly, "Sandy, from now on, you stick with me. We'll settle this score sooner or later!"