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!"

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

surprise. Wasn't this the kind-hearted old

was none other than Camilla Lippert, the venerable matriarch of the Lippert

the backyard afterward," the elderly voice said, warm and detached from worldly concerns as she took her seat. Noticing Whitney's intense gaze, the old lady gave her a

Whitney blinked in astonishment.

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 keenly felt the

meal, Camilla left

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

handsome features darkened by the night. He flicked his cigarette ash, saying, "If I were you, I'd stay away from Justin. He's

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

tone dripped with disbelief

a word of advice. He prefers women like you, who've

voice was palpable, labeling her a woman scorned for reasons beyond her

exchange pointless. Now that he

scoff, "Worry about your precious Florence. Why care about

not taking his advice and instead choosing to challenge

inwardly, he noticed Parker lurking in the shadows,

Reluctantly, Parker stepped forward.

eye on her until she leaves the

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

the air, heavy with unspoken

and he abruptly stopped as his phone rang. It was a

his brow. "You should

him leave, his questions