Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 445

"What night are you talking about, Mrs. Lippert? I'm totally lost here," Whitney replied, her expression a perfect blend of confusion and innocence.

Thea squinted her eyes, understanding Whitney's game but not about to play into it.

Sitting with the posture of a queen, Thea pressed her lips together, took a sip of her coffee-black, no sugar, as was her style and elegantly slid a card across the table.

Her eyes were frosty as she spoke, "Fill in your terms, Ms. Valentine. Keep your lips sealed, or else, what do you think will become of you?"

Whitney's hands clenched under the table. She knew all too well the kind of power Mrs. Lippert wielded; a woman of her standing could make people disappear without breaking a sweat. The secret Whitney had stumbled upon was like a ticking time bomb.

Yet, accepting money was off the table. It would only make Whitney more vulnerable to Thea's manipulations.

With her eyes downcast, Whitney looked the picture of calm. Raising her head slowly, she smiled, her voice barely above a whisper, "Mrs. Lippert, Jarvis is your son, isn't he? The biological kind." Thea's demeanor changed in an instant. She had known from the start that Whitney's observant eyes were trouble.

Suddenly, Whitney shifted from defense to offense, holding her ground with grace.

"Oh, please," Thea scoffed, gripping her coffee cup, "You think you can blackmail me? Ms. Valentine, you're playing with fire. Everyone knows Jarvis was picked up from a battlefield by the General. He shares no blood with the Lippert family. Watch your mouth, or it'll cost you." Whitney remained silent, but Thea's tense tone confirmed her suspicions.

Pushing the card back, Whitney spoke with a hint of self-preservation, "I won't spread rumors. I just wanted to make you aware that I know something. What I stumbled upon that night... well, I wouldn't want to cause any trouble for Jason or Ludwik. I value my life too much for that. It's up to you, Mrs. Lippert, whether you see me as a threat."

Thea's cold demeanor was unmistakable.

Whitney stood up, her voice steady, "Mrs. Lippert, I've had my coffee. I'll be leaving now. Enjoy yours."

She walked out, her heart racing.

made a call. Jarvis on

and Ludwik. If they get close, she might

deep and unreadable, "She's just a girl. If she steps out of line, we'll take

narrowed, "This ticking time bomb needs to be watched closely. We

spanning over two decades, with Jason, a powerful commander, unknowingly raising a 'son' that wasn't his,

the Lippert family, were they aiming

he was in

herself, feeling

-

"Bryce."

at Bryce, who was approaching with

pulling her into a gentle hug, "Whitney, I've

smile stiffened slightly as she stepped back, teasing him, "Mr. Lutz, you've

opened the

He had heard that Ludwik was back in the Lippert fold with a new girlfriend,

got into the car,

and sent them to Florence with a sneer, "Isn't this Whitney

seeing the photos, instructed Myra to dig into the man's identity, unaware that Whitney's

Drew found out, "Ms. Sheldon, this man is

decided

-

Group's facilities, reflecting on the complex web of relationships and secrets that entangled their lives. Bryce flashed a grin. "The headquarters for Lutz Group and the new Skye Gem Ltd office - I've found the perfect spot not far

of the city, Whitney was astounded. "Can