Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 436

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!"

an elderly lady with silver hair, leaning on a cane, making her way to

in surprise. Wasn't this the kind-hearted old lady who had comforted her at the

other than Camilla Lippert, the

and I'll be off to the backyard afterward," the elderly voice said, warm and detached from worldly

Whitney blinked in astonishment.

lowering her presence. Throughout dinner, Justin attempted to engage her in conversation a few

the meal,

departed, Whitney stood up, seeking a quieter spot to breathe in some

the night. He flicked his cigarette ash, saying, "If I were you, I'd stay away from

raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and he's worse than you in the

tone dripped with

"Just a word of advice. He

voice was palpable, labeling her a woman

with anger, but she found the exchange pointless. Now that

about your precious Florence. Why care about

not taking his advice and instead choosing

Parker lurking

Reluctantly, Parker stepped forward.

rubbing his temple, instructed, "Keep an eye on

looking directly into Ludwik's eyes, "Do

hung in the

stopped as

said, furrowing his brow. "You should head

leave, his questions left

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