Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 464

Holly squinted her eyes, "Got it. Lucky dad's not home!"

That night, when Florence dropped by the Lippert residence, she caught Heidi and her daughter leaving. The little girl was cursing under her breath, "That little brat can't swim, I'll push him again next time!" If it's a problem, then it's a problem to be solved!

-

At three o'clock, Whitney called a meeting with the sales team of the S-T Group, officially starting the meeting.

Hudson, when she took the job, gave her a sales target: come up with a jewelry marketing plan that could pre-sell twenty million dollars within a week.

It was a piece of cake for her, given her background in jewelry. She understood that her dad was letting her show her capabilities to the company, preparing her for a transfer to the headquarters of the Sheldon Group.

As the meeting was in full swing, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Florence, coughing softly, entered. She glanced at her colleagues and then at Whitney.

She started timidly, "Sis, are you discussing the twenty million target for next week's marketing plan?"

"You want to join the meeting, Nyx?" Whitney said coldly, with a whatever attitude. "Since you're late, you better sit down fast."

Instead, Florence smiled slyly, a cunning light flashing in her doe eyes, "Sorry, sis, I'm here to join the competition for the marketing plan. Simply put, one team led by you, and one by me. We'll each develop a jewelry sales marketing plan, and then the company will pick the winner to execute the sales. Competition breeds motivation. I'm eager to learn from you. Dad encouraged this, saying whoever wins gets 4% of Sheldon Group shares!"

Florence's tone was seemingly innocent.

Whitney smirked, understanding the real motive was the 4% Sheldon Group shares. She had once said, 10% managed by her, and the 4% gifted to Florence was up for grabs if she earned it. So soon, she couldn't sit still, wanting to turn this into a sales department competition. Florence's sudden proposal, with Hudson's consent as a pretext, caught Whitney off guard. What seemed like a small competition had high stakes!

The colleagues around were equally surprised.

Sandy looked at Florence, scoffing first, "Nyx, you were just making coffee for Mr. Lippert this morning. Do you even understand sales planning or jewelry? Maybe you should stick to discussing your love life. Work isn't as easy as you think."

Florence's lips quivered, looking at Whitney, "Sis, I know I don't know much, and I've never worked because of my illness. Please, could your subordinates be a bit more forgiving... You accuse me of making coffee for Mr. Lippert this morning, I know I was wrong, but I will take my work seriously from now on. So, by joining this competition, I hope to learn from you. Please give me a chance."

Whitney chuckled coldly, how humble, in front of everyone, a manager needs permission from a deputy manager. Sandy was only stating facts, yet Florence subtly accused her of encouraging Sandy to ridicule her? If she didn't agree, would she be making it difficult for Florence?

Whitney raised an eyebrow, pushing back, "We'll see about the competition after I confirm with Dad. Seems like Nyx is eager to win those shares? Otherwise, why suddenly strong enough to compete after being ill so long?"

The colleagues glanced at Florence, murmuring among themselves.

"Ms. Sheldon's after the shares, huh? Sugarcoating it as learning."

"Yeah, she's been ill so long, never seen her at S-T Group before, has she?"

Florence's eyes darkened as Whitney's words highlighted her vague focus on the shares, stirring speculation among everyone. Her tears were on the brink, "Sis, the shares are just Dad's incentive scheme, I'm not taking them seriously. You're misunderstanding me. If I wanted shares, I could've had plenty growing up in the Sheldon family. Besides, you have a huge advantage in this competition with your jewelry expertise, what are you worried about?"

Whitney wanted to laugh at the pretense. Sheldon Group shares without effort, why should she get them? This was just to placate the others. And subtly hinting that even if Whitney won, it would be no honor.

"Since my sister doesn't care about the shares, you won't be upset if you lose, right? After all, you're just here to learn, aren't you?" Whitney looked at her, half-smiling.

Florence was speechless, "Yes, but I'll still try to come up with a good plan."

Ding-dong-

Whitney's phone rang; it was a call from Danny's smartwatch.

Her expression shifted; Danny knew not to disturb her at work unless it was urgent. She had no time to argue with Florence, standing up to leave abruptly, "The company will issue notice about the competition tomorrow. I'll follow the company's decision. Today's meeting is adjourned. Nyx, feel free to continue with everyone else."

As Florence watched her hurriedly leave, a sneaky thought crossed her mind. Maybe Mom had succeeded?

She quickly sent a message to Holly.

-

In the office corridor, Sandy caught up. Only in the elevator did Sandy dare to speak, "Florence knows nothing about jewelry sales. She's got no skills but wants to compete for shares. What's her angle?" Whitney squinted, calling her son while sharply stating, "To win against me, she'll surely replace a way."

"That's true, now S-T Group has Ludwik backing her up..."

The elevator doors opened, and the call connected. Whitney, unable to continue, waved goodbye to Sandy, "Got a personal matter, gotta run. Talk tomorrow."

"Danny, son, what's up?"

From the tiny speaker of the smartwatch, a frail voice emerged, "Mom, I'm at the Sheldon Mansion. I almost drowned."

"What?!" Whitney froze in her tracks, her body turning ice cold. She didn't have time to wonder why her little guy would venture to the Sheldon Mansion alone. "Danny, can't you swim? Don't scare Mommy like this!" "Mom, don't worry too much. I just swallowed a lot of water, cough cough... If you're free, can you come pick me up now?"

"What exactly happened? Did someone push you? Who did this to you?" Whitney's mind immediately raced to Holly, that two-faced girl. Why on earth would her son go to the Sheldon Mansion by himself! "Molly Lippert, what are you trying to do?... Don't make me fight back, ah..."

A flurry of noise followed, and then Danny's call abruptly ended. However, that shriek sounded like a little girl?

But Whitney's heart was still in her throat. She dashed to the garage, her mind racing. Her car seemed to fly on the roads, and even when Hudson called, she couldn't pick up.

Approaching Brew Hill and the Sheldon Mansion, a Bentley zoomed past her and screeched to a halt on the curve ahead.

Ludwik, tall and imposing, stepped out into the fading sunset. His handsome features were tense as he walked straight towards Whitney's car.

Whitney slammed on the brakes too, and when their eyes met, both were filled with concern for their son.

In matters concerning their son, they could momentarily put aside their differences. With a worried look, Whitney blurted out, "Danny's in trouble at the Sheldon Mansion!"