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.

tracked down his daughter. Cold sweat dripped from his brow, and his hatred fueled a breakdown in

call came

I hear Ludwik has kidnapped your daughter. Given his ways, I doubt

“Who are you?”

is important is that I can help

Keegan clutched at any lifeline. “What’s your plan?”

Estate. I’ll give you her number. She’s fond of Whitney. Use that to your advantage, kidnap her, and

Chapter 162

and he

mother’s number, Keegan weighed his options. His daughter and Whitney were in the clutches of

fierce and vengeful light ignited in

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

of his hatred, and Keegan

phone aside, a cold smirk on her lips as she turned

her eyes glinting with

Realty Corporation headlines on her computer screen and asked,

night: [Imperial Gem Corporation’s assets fully transferred, rumors of Mr. Lippert’s wife Whitney embezzling funds. Beauty leads to downfall. Savvy CEO, not so savvy

Banyan City, stirring the business community

compensation disputes added to the mix, Ludwik’s business reputation was rapidly deteriorating, with shareholders of both United Realty and Imperial Gem questioning his management skills like never

morning. Ludwik had been summoned by the Commercial Crime Division because of an investor’s suicide

police station, Keegan could proceed with his kidnapping plan.

mused, her eyes narrowing. She had to buy

demise at the last Joyful Manor banquet–make it a scandal. I’ve got footage from that night

brief confusion before understanding dawned. “Elaine, doing this will tarnish Mr. Lippert’s reputation even further.

had a devious

way, Keegan’s path

would be within reach: to strike both the old bat Natalie and

curved into a sly smile, her arms folding across her chest. ‘Have someone keep a close eye on

kind

manor, Natalie was hooked up to an