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!"

with silver hair, leaning on a

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

Lippert, the venerable matriarch of the

I'll be off to the backyard afterward," the

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 keenly felt the atmosphere at

the meal,

Lipperts had departed, Whitney stood up,

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

"Oh, and he's worse

with disbelief

advice. He prefers women like you, who've had

palpable, labeling her

pointless. Now

turned away with a scoff, "Worry about your precious Florence. Why care about me?

taking his advice and instead choosing

noticed Parker lurking in

Reluctantly, Parker stepped forward.

eye on her until she leaves

before looking directly into Ludwik's eyes, "Do

in the air, heavy

and he abruptly stopped as his

furrowing his brow. "You should head

watched him leave,