Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 450

With every ounce of hatred in her heart and nowhere to unleash it, Whitney spat out, "You're cruel and shameless, relying on your current status as Ludwik..." Cruel? It was just yesterday when Parker had mentioned she'd only see him as cruel. Indeed, how could she possibly see the care he had for her anymore? It didn't matter now; after all, she hated him to the bone and couldn't understand him.

Ludwik gently put her down, like a lover fixing her blouse, his eyes hiding a tender look, but his adam's apple rolling coldly, "As long as you understand. Even if I'm as fickle as the weather, you're stuck being single, Whitney. After all, you once crossed paths with me!" Their conversation and confrontation ended there.

He jumped out the window, arrogant and scoundrelly.

Whitney trembled, cursing him silently a hundred times over in her heart.

It took a while before she managed to wipe away the tears on her face, took a deep breath, and emerged with wobbly legs and a pale face.

The Sheldon family's dinner had already ended, and the living room was buzzing with conversation.

Hudson seized the moment to announce to the patriarch, "Taking advantage of tonight's family dinner, I'd also like to inform everyone that Whitney will be joining the Sheldon Group in a few days. Her resume is impressive, and she will become a part of the Sheldon family's succession..."

As his words fell, the room reacted with mixed emotions.

Whitney walked in, naturally attracting everyone's gaze.

Bryce approached her, "Why were you gone so long?"

His deep gaze lingered on Whitney's lips for a moment, hesitating slightly, remembering Ludwik had also stepped out to make a call.

"I felt a bit sick to my stomach," Whitney murmured, catching a cold glance from Bryce, who was already standing with Florence, looking perfectly matched.

He didn't look her way, as if the coercion in the restroom had never happened.

Indeed, a scoundrel switching sides seamlessly.

Florence, noticing Whitney, focused on her freshly applied lipstick. The woman was detail-oriented. Despite Ludwik not returning from the direction of the restroom, his beautiful lips carried a scent, which Florence had detected.

suspicions tightened, her grip on her

eyes darkened with malice, convinced Whitney had seduced

Florence looked

are you sure about letting Whitney join the

an illegitimate daughter, it's a bit too much trust to place in her as a successor. Sister, brother-in-law, what do you think?" Whitney turned sharply towards Hugh, having not spoken

involved in the company matters, and her husband, Kurt Turner,

of the family definitely opposes Whitney joining the company. Why should she? Florence hasn't even joined yet. There should be some order in succession, right? Mom!" "Oh yes, big brother, you keep saying Whitney is impressive, but we have no proof of that," Kathy spoke, eyeing Emma's

about the succession.

scoffed internally at Florence's act

She stepped forward quietly, "Grandpa, whether I join the company or not doesn't matter to me. I just don't want to disappoint father. If everyone's worried about me, I'm willing to start as an intern,

Florence's expression shifted slightly.

about seizing the Sheldon Group's inheritance! Dream on, you illegitimate daughter, with a fiancé from Banyan City of all places. With your background, you're

but upon hearing 'fiancé,' his lips thinned,

Bryce and Whitney, eager for

He, too, was a favored son of fortune, yet he felt powerless to help

talk about me, at least get it right. The Lutz family is dignified and cultured. Miss, your words are a real credit to the Sheldon family! Better not mention you're part of the Sheldon family when you're outside. With your manners, people will

words struck hard, and the

Whitney didn't just slap her

silent, not coming to her

chuckled Sandy from the corner,

"Ludwik, see how sister clings to Mr. Lutz's sleeve? She

she wanted, watching Ludwik's expression turn sharply colder. Dignified and cultured? Was that

no simple character. Her defense seemed aimed at Bryce but cleverly shifted focus to her own family's values, suggesting that denying her a role in the Sheldon Group would paint the

at S-T Group, starting as an intern. If she doesn't pass the assessments, we'll let her go as she

just a small subsidiary of the

not exactly small

He rarely spoke, but when he did, it seemed aimed at her joining the company. He had