Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 436

"Aunt Pat, I'm just being hospitable, you know," Justin said, grinning cheekily.

Joanne shot her son a withering look, practically seething. She had told him to get close to Whitney tonight, but not to rush it like some headless chicken and potentially ruin her carefully laid plans... Stepping on his foot, Justin toned it down a notch. Thea chimed in, "Since you're here, why don't you join us for dinner? Oh dear, what happened to the shoulder of your dress?"

All eyes suddenly turned to Whitney, revealing the torn fabric of her dress, hastily knotted to hide the damage.

Ludwik too was looking, his gaze uncomfortably obvious.

Faced with his insincere concern, Whitney felt a provocative urge and deliberately responded to Thea, "Mrs. Lippert, this dress was tampered with by someone..."

"Let's eat! The less important folks can hold their tongues," Ludwik interjected with a cough, summoning the butler while shooting Whitney a warning glance. She wasn't to speak out or provoke him.

Whitney smirked inwardly, amused to find Ludwik also capable of nervousness. So much for his aloof demeanor, forcing her to change her dress like that.

It seemed even in the Lippert family, a veritable lion's den fraught with danger, Ludwik had to watch his step.

Now, with his alliance to Florence, he couldn't afford a scandal with Whitney, she thought bitterly.

Catching his weakness, she arched an eyebrow and looked away, leaving Ludwik to stew in his frustrations.

Ludwik, aware of her defiant little gestures, couldn't help but let his gaze linger on her, though to others it appeared he paid her no heed.

Suddenly, Ludwik stood up, turning to address the matriarch, "Grandma—"

Before anyone had started eating, the younger family members all stood, echoing, "Grandma!"

up, curious, and saw an elderly lady with silver

Wasn't this the kind-hearted old lady

Lippert, the venerable matriarch

young folks' gatherings. Jason invited me for dinner, and I'll be off to the backyard afterward," the elderly voice said, warm and detached from worldly concerns as she took her seat. Noticing Whitney's intense gaze,

Whitney blinked in astonishment.

many eyes around, Whitney got the message and quietly continued her meal, lowering her presence. Throughout dinner, Justin attempted to engage her in conversation a few times and even passed her dishes. Whitney

the meal, Camilla left

up, seeking a quieter spot to breathe

and turned to find Ludwik leaning against a wall, his tall frame casting a daunting shadow, his handsome features darkened by the night. He flicked his cigarette ash, saying, "If I were you, I'd stay away from Justin. He's bad news. You should hear

he's worse than

tone dripped with

darkened, "Just a word of advice. He prefers women

her a

the exchange pointless. Now

about your precious

went dark, realizing Whitney was not taking his advice

noticed Parker lurking in the shadows,

Reluctantly, Parker stepped forward.

"Keep an eye on her until she

looking directly into Ludwik's eyes, "Do you still love Whitney,

question hung in the

abruptly stopped as his phone rang.

he said, furrowing his

him leave, his