Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 176

The Imperial Gem Corporation had fallen into the clutches of that ruthless father–son duo? Whitney couldn’t believe the whirlwind of events, her anger boiling over.

“Ludwik’s being smeared with rumors of mental problem. The major shareholders will never reappoint him. A simple board meeting will see him ousted. After all, four hundred billion in liquid assets… it’s a lot to leave in his hands.” Tiana blabbered on without a filter.

Valerie’s eyes widened in warning, and Tiana instantly clammed up. But Whitney was lost in a daze.

Four hundred billion… In his downfall, she had inadvertently added to the momentum.

Without Imperial Gem, everything he had built from scratch was gone. What would he do now?

Whitney couldn’t picture the once–admired t reduced to nothing. Could he accept it himself?

She was deeply concerned for him. His sudden disappearance from the hospital, was he in hiding, was his mind unraveling?

“Tiana, can you use your contacts to find out where he is? His hysteria hasn’t healed, and this shock might trigger a relapse. I’m terrified he won’t recover…”

Tiana shook her head sympathetically, “I can’t find him. No matter how low Ludwik has sunk, his methods of keeping things under wraps are beyond my reach.”

“Whitney, don’t worry too much. He’s weathered many storms. Maybe he just needs some time to cool off? But you mustn’t go looking for him. Your situation is even more precarious,” Valerie said somberly after reviewing the medical reports.

Whitney knew her bleeding hadn’t stopped. She was bedridden.

“Let’s wait. A man like Ludwik isn’t the type to just roll over. Maybe he’s preparing his next move,” Tiana tried to stay optimistic.

Whitney believed he wouldn’t simply fade away, and all she could do was wait.

A week passed without any news from Ludwik, as if he had vanished from the earth.

Whitney was cooped up in her hospital room by Tiana, under strict orders to rest for the sake of her unborn child, living in a daze.

tried to visit Natalie, she found Natalie’s room sealed off, no one

this Ludwik’s doing? Whitney speculated

the news was abuzz with his ascension as the new

Banyan City’s elite, also graced the

right; they were indeed a family of three. She couldn’t fathom how Kaden could be so cruel to his own flesh and blood, to his lawful wife? But on the eighth day, the Lippert family’s moment

Tech was making a grand entrance onto

Skyfaith, “Oh my God, Isn’t that the tech giant from Banyan City, on par with Imperial Gem and United Realty? They’ye always been so secretive, and their market value is insane! They’re going public in Amoria Country, and even Imperial Gem, a top global company, hasn’t achieved that distinction. Skyfaith could rival the world’s top tech firms. It’s frustrating, I’ve been trying to uncover who owns it for years with no luck.”

half–listened as Tiana rambled on.

schadenfreude, “Skyfaith’s news has completely

the world’s most advanced smart chips. Today, Any machine, car, or electronic product needs a chip. It’s clear

on her computer, Whitney casually inquired, “Tiana, my cousin Yael Tennyson, have you been able

Tiana slumped her shoulders, I’ve got hacking skills, but anything related

had asked Tiana to look for her cousin, but she knew if Ludwik was hiding her, no one would find her.

days went

was getting

to see the doctor and saw people in Natalie’s ward. They looked like they were preparing to move her back

her from the bed. “Does

panting heavily.

of hope lit in Whitney’s eyes. She was about to get out of bed

the screen made her heart

the contact name.

up, but she hid her joy, answering the phone with a trembling, hoarse voice, “L, where are you? I’ve been so worried….

for her words, “Meet me at the Ether Cafe downtown. There are some documents you need to

tone was almost devoid

taken aback, but before she

Ludwik had

the phone line, his breath was chillingly detached. A shiver ran

heart was filled with relief; he was willing to

were, he was willing to