Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 162

Despite the vanishing of a staggering 400 billion dollars from the coffers of Imperial Gem, which threatened to paralyze the company and push Ludwik to the brink of bankruptcy, he still managed to orchestrate a crisis at Skye Gem overnight. He was Mr. Lippert, a man whose power and Influence in Banyan City were as vast as the

ocean.

Keegan’s eyer were bloodshot with urgency. His dreams of acquiring Imperial Gern had been dashed because Ludwik smoothed over United Realty’s disputes in a single night. And his family, the Tennysons, had paid a steep price for their venture into Skye Gem.

No, he could not lose the company. It was the only thing his father had left him. Small as it was, and as much as Ludwik disdained it, if Skye Gem fell to Ludwik’s machinations, the Tennysons would be left with nothing

Feeling as if he had been struck by lightning, Keegan rushed to Orion’s mansion at dawn.

“Boss, can we move that 400 billion dollars from our overseas accounts? I need it to save Skye Gem!” Keegan pleaded

Orion’s usually devilish smile now took on a chilling hue. “Mr. Tennyson, you’ve got it wrong. It’s my 400 billion, not yours. Of course, for your ten years of plotting and hard work, I will throw you a bone–10 billion dollars.”

“What?” Keegan’s face drained of color as he lunged forward, grabbing Orion by the collar. A lightning–fast realization struck him. “You’ve been using me! You’ve been after Imperial Gem Corporation all along!”

Brushing off imaginary dust from his hands, Orion remarked, “Well, isn’t that obvious? Blinded by hatred, Mr. Tennyson, you forgot there’s no such thing as a free lunch. With the 400 billion in my possession, our partnership is over.”

Keegan was escorted out by Orion’s bodyguards, his body going cold with regret.

He had been too eager, believing Orion’s claim of disdain for Ludwik and his offer of help.

What a fool he had been! He should have listened to Whitney. Orion was indeed not to be trusted–he had been using him for his own goal all along!

Now, how could he possibly stand against Ludwik without Orion’s funds? Even a lawsuit would not be resolved quickly enough.

Amid his turmoil, Keegan’s phone rang with a call from overseas. The news was shocking.

“Yael kidnapped? By someone with a Harmonia Country accent, surname Lippert?”

Ludwik was merciless, abducting his daughter!

This was a move to destroy Keegan, a vicious tactic.

Cold sweat

then, another call came

“Mr. Tennyson, I hear Ludwik has kidnapped your daughter. Given his ways, I doubt she’ll be lucky. I have a

“Who are you?”

important is that I can

clutched at any lifeline. “What’s

fond of Whitney. Use that to your advantage, kidnap

Chapter 162

question her, and he received a

weighed his options. His daughter and Whitney were in the clutches of a devil.

and vengeful light ignited in his eyes.

other assets of Imperial Gem Corporation, he could rise again in wealth. As for Orion’s 400

greed fanned the flames of his

a cold smirk on her lips as she turned to her assistant. “Keegan has left Orion’s mansion, heading for Everwood

clutching at straws, Elaine said, her eyes glinting with a colder, broader

on her computer screen and asked,

rumors of Mr. Lippert’s wife Whitney

stirring the business community all night and reaching fever pitch by

business reputation was rapidly deteriorating, with shareholders of both United Realty and Imperial Gem

morning. Ludwik had been summoned by the Commercial Crime Division because of

with Ludwik at the police station, Keegan could proceed with his kidnapping plan. But given Ludwik’s status,

mused, her eyes narrowing. She had

a little task for you. Anonymously stir the public opinion about Mr. Wendt and Dante’s untimely demise at the last Joyful Manor banquet–make it a scandal. I’ve got footage from that night of

will tarnish Mr. Lippert’s

worried about Ludwik’s clout, she had a devious plan to

Keegan’s path would be

strike both the old bat Natalie and Whitney with

into a sly smile, her arms folding across her chest. ‘Have someone keep a close eye on Keegan’s movements. If necessary,

kind of ‘help‘ she meant.

was hooked up to an IV, coughing and inevitably feeling uneasy.