Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 505

Bryce flashed a cold smile, "Your company is holding a public bid, and as a visitor, I surely don't deserve this kind of treatment, do I?"

Whitney was in a tough spot, "We're together in this."

"Ms. Valentine," Felix, the executive assistant, said, "If you're interested in the property, please proceed inside. As for him, since he's with you, the Lippert Group won't allow him entry. Please leave!" The security guard pointed at Bryce's car, his tone harsh as he ordered him away.

Whitney's face showed a hint of annoyance, sensing this might be Ludwik's doing. She looked towards Bryce.

Bryce forced a smile, his eyes shadowed, "It's fine, go ahead. The property is important."

He clenched his jaws and returned to his car.

From a window in the Lippert Group building, Jarvis witnessed the scene below, his eyes lingering on Bryce with a playful smirk.

Whitney was escorted by the receptionist towards the spacious elevator.

"The boss's office is on the top floor, the 66th..." the receptionist began, but her words were cut short as the elevator stopped on the 45th floor. The doors opened, and there stood Jarvis with his devilish charm.

Dressed in a sleek suit, tall and imposing, he smirked at Whitney, "Ms. Valentine, long time no see. Come out, let me show you around the Lippert Group."

"Sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to," Whitney said, her mind racing with the secrets between Thea and Jarvis.

She knew all too well that Jarvis, Ludwik's arch-nemesis, was up to no good.

With a meaningful laugh, Jarvis pulled her out, "What's the rush? What I'm about to show you will definitely pique your interest."

"Let go—"

Before Whitney could resist, Jarvis led her to the center of the 45th floor.

It was the heart of the Lippert Group's Public Relations department. The large screens displayed breaking news from the company.

Suddenly, a photo of Florence and Ludwik appeared on the screen, engulfing it in a sea of pink. Whitney's gaze was fixed, her pupils shrinking involuntarily.

"The Lippert Group's CEO, Ludwik, and Florence announce their engagement today! Both the Lippert Group's official platform and social media are buzzing with the news. The city's elite are celebrating another joyous occasion. Mr. Jason himself has given his blessing, saying the couple is a perfect match!"

Boom.

The announcement, coupled with the image of Ludwik and Florence, blended into a distorted mess that pierced Whitney's heart.

She turned pale, staggering as if losing her balance.

It wasn't just shock.

Her breath turned ice cold.

They got engaged today?

Ha.

Ha-ha.

Parker said he'd never get back with Florence for Sammy's sake.

He saw through Florence!

Even Orion said he should know by now who the real villain was.

With so much hope, she returned to Banyan City, desperate to diagnose Natalie's condition, understanding his struggles.

She naively thought they were on the same side for Sammy's sake.

But what was the result?

He was stubborn, indifferent to Florence's kidnapping of Sammy, and now, he was engaged to her!

Her head buzzed, rage flooding in, threatening to explode.

Jarvis watched her pale face with a cold smirk, "How does it feel? Breaking news. In two minutes, Ludwik's engagement will hit the headlines across the city. Seeing your reaction, he didn't tell you, did he? Don't be too sad. After all, Florence is your sister. It's better than the wealth slipping through to outsiders, ha..."

Jarvis was full of mockery.

"Mr. Lippert! I'm sorry, I had the secretary take Ms. Valentine straight to the top floor. How did she end up here?" Felix's voice came from the elevator, panicked.

Seeing Jarvis's cunning face, Felix understood.

Ludwik stepped out of the elevator, his eyes immediately replaceing Whitney. She stood like a fragile creature in front of the giant screen announcing his engagement to Florence. The harsh light illuminated her pale face, her eyes reflecting layers of ice. He gasped, his handsome face turning pale.

He had forgotten! Today was the day to announce his engagement to Florence, a condition of their agreement.

His voice hoarse, he watched her, barely standing, thinking, maybe it's for the best.

The news would soon be known across the city. She had to see it.

She must come to terms with the 'shameful fact of his engagement.'

Without a word, Ludwik marched over and grabbed Whitney.

Whitney recoiled as if she had touched something filthy, her breathing rapid. She remained silent, but her eyes spoke volumes, cutting deep into Ludwik.

His voice was hoarse, the tone icy, "So you're done talking about the golf course property?"

"Forget it!"

Whitney spat out the words and turned on her heel.

Felix saw Mr. Lippert's shadowed gaze follow Ms. Valentine closely, and he quickly caught up, "Ms. Valentine, please, don't let your emotions get the best of you. Business is business, personal is personal. The truth is, Mr. Lippert had his hands tied..." "Don't talk to me about him anymore! It's none of my business. Just like Sammy's disappearance, it has nothing to do with him! Let him enjoy his blissful newlywed life!" Whitney cut him off sharply.

Felix was sure Mr. Lippert had overheard every word.

He dared not look at Mr. Lippert's expression, hastily explaining, "Jarvis intentionally brought you here because Mr. Lippert roughed up Thea and Jarvis over your car accident. Now, the project between Mr. Lippert and Jarvis is causing a storm in the company, he's swamped. The engagement was the last thing on his mind..."

Bang-

The door to the fire escape slammed shut.

Felix was about to follow when a call from the top floor came through. After he answered, he rushed back to the brooding man, "Mr. Lippert, the board members are waiting for you in the conference room. You can't leave."

Through the closed fire escape door, Ludwik's deep gaze saw the woman wiping away tears as she hurriedly answered a call.

Who was it from?

He coldly flicked off the ash from his cigarette, his eyes filled with a forlorn expression. "Let's head upstairs."

-

In the fire escape.

Her phone had been ringing for a while before Whitney numbly noticed. She picked it up and saw it was a call from the Sheldon Mansion's landline.

Was it her father?

Unable to steady her emotions, Whitney answered with a forced smile, "Hello, is that you, Dad?"

"Miss, the master has been shot! He's been taken to the hospital, didn't you know? The old house called, Jared said all the Sheldon descendants should be at the hospital..." Whitney couldn't take in another word.

Her head buzzed, her complexion turned deathly pale, and she rasped, "What did you say? How is that possible..."