Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 431

"I mean no harm, just schooling the lady on how to be a good person instead of a puppet!" Whitney said with a smirk.

Sienna looked at Florence in denial, her face turning sour as she realized she was being blamed.

Once Sienna fell silent, the elite ladies around got the hint.

"This Ms. Sheldon, always praised for her innocence and frailty, I thought she lacked ambition."

"Oh, in the world of high society, which sister doesn't yearn for a bit of spotlight? If the rumors about Whitney involve Ms. Sheldon, they can hardly be credible."

The crowd dispersed, discussing among themselves, suddenly less inclined to believe the scandals about Whitney.

Florence lowered her head, coughing to hide the gloom in her eyes. She had hoped to tarnish Whitney's reputation through Sienna but found herself nearly jeopardizing her own carefully crafted image!

She glanced towards Ludwik, her eyes narrowing with determination.

-

In a tearoom adjacent to the banquet hall, the gentlemen of the Lippert family gathered.

Jarvis looked at Ludwik with an amused expression. From the moment Ludwik announced his relationship with Florence earlier that evening, and especially after Jarvis spotted Whitney at the banquet, he found the situation increasingly interesting. Jason, seated at the head of the table with a stern Riley by his side, faced Ludwik.

Jason raised his eyebrows, "Ludwik, what's going on? Your Uncle Riley has brought his complaints all the way to me. Your first day at the corporation and you spend the evening in Banyan City. I haven't had the chance to ask you about it, but I heard you fired someone?" His tone was inquisitive but calm.

three of my executives, and even Erin got the boot! Ludwik is getting out of line. He's messing with uncles and aunts now? Are you really going to let him off the hook? If you don't make him reinstate Erin today,

give your Uncle Riley and

Riley's executives bought a plot in the city for a private golf course, presumably as a favor to someone. That little venture cost the corporation two billion! As for Aunt Erin, she was the project manager for the golf course, approving a budget of four

Erin's faces went pale, stunned that Ludwik had uncovered their little

"Executives who don't work but bleed the company dry? If I don't fire them, who

The room grew tense.

sharp gaze to Riley, "Brother,

Ludwik,

"So Ludwik did nothing wrong, did he? Everyone, think twice before you decide not

then softened his tone, "Riley, hand over that plot to Ludwik to handle. And two billion is

going with your own team

Ludwik glanced at Jarvis, "Jarvis's subsidiaries have been awarding major contracts to the Patrick Group. Given their ranking in

about to enter, stopped dead in her tracks, standing

Wade glanced at Thea.

a hushed tone, Thea grumbled, "This Ludwik, stirring up trouble from

forced a smile, "Stepfather, Ludwik is exaggerating. The deals with the Patrick Group were hardly profitable. Besides, they're related to my godmother. Some consideration for the in-laws is due, isn't it? Is Ludwik suggesting some dissatisfaction with my godmother by saying this?" He twisted Ludwik's words in

gaze lingered on Ludwik, a silent acknowledgment of the complexity of Jarvis and the Patrick

"Also, father, I've been denied access to the real estate and finance documents. Shareholders are using my team's outsider status as an excuse," Ludwik added, glancing at Jarvis. Jason pondered, understanding why Ludwik preferred his own team. His decisive approach was more effective than waiting for the company's uncooperative executives to align. Jarvis smirked, "Ludwik, you can't blame the shareholders. Your team is privy to the Lippert family's confidential operations. How can they trust you won't betray the family?" "Maybe you should start by delivering solid results on a few projects. Once the shareholders see your performance, they'll naturally let you take full control of the

argument

this, Ludwik knew there was a trap waiting for him. Could the projects

arms crossed casually, "Throw any project you want my way, Jarvis, just don't throw your

a meaningful remark, "Congrats on your alliance with the

sharp as he turned to say, "Father, I'll be stepping out. Uncle Riley,