Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 451

The family dinner had wrapped up, and the guests were going their separate ways.

Ludwik's phone rang with a call from the Lipperts, darkening his handsome features. He strode out of the Sheldons' living room, ready to call his driver.

As he lifted his gaze, he caught sight of Whitney next to a BMW, about to get in the car under the moonlight, Bryce's hand resting on her shoulder, his suit jacket draped over her. Bryce, now just in his dress shirt, hadn't left yet. "It's pretty chilly out here tonight, Whitney. Keep the jacket on. I'll drive," Bryce offered, glancing at Ludwik before adding, "Maybe swing by my hotel afterwards?"

Whitney was about to suggest discussing business tomorrow, her evening spent confronting the Sheldons had already drained her-

A cold set of footsteps approached rapidly, and suddenly, her wrist was seized. Ludwik's fingers, still clutching a cigarette, caused the ember to fall on her sleeve with his rough gesture.

Whitney's face cooled as she looked up into the face she wished not to see.

Ludwik, towering over her, looked even colder, his tone harsh, "Your son is still with the Lipperts. Where do you think you're going?"

Heading to Bryce's hotel? The anger in Ludwik's chest surged.

In the bathroom earlier, his warnings seemed to have been ignored, her wearing Bryce's irritating jacket proof of it.

Whitney tried to pull her wrist free, aware of the intimidating chill in his eyes, but now, outside the bathroom, she could stand her ground. "Ludwik, I don't want to talk to you."

"Did you hear that, Mr. Lippert?" Bryce interjected, pulling Whitney away, his gaze slightly lifted towards Ludwik in defiance.

"Danny had a bit of trouble at the Lipperts'. What are you going to do about it?"

Ludwik's lips turned even colder.

"What?" Whitney's face paled. "What happened to him?"

"Get in my car." His voice was icy.

Whitney had no choice but to comply. Ludwik's Bentley was parked across the street. She gently freed herself from Bryce's grasp, "Bryce, you go ahead in my car. I need to see Danny." Bryce frowned but let

"Okay."

Ludwik's car under

overhearing their conversation, felt a vein in his forehead throb, his face a mask of icy disdain.

voice laced with venom and impulse, "See her lip is injured? What do you think we did in the

his fists, unable to overlook the

done with her, she's mine

her some respect!" Bryce, his pride wounded, swung

Ludwik caught it

shattered, revealing a flash of red in his

heiress, does that make you love her more? Don't think I haven't seen your ambition. Your love

intentions of mingling with the

is pure? Ludwik, you've hurt her the most. The three years you lost her, I was the one who cared

eyes were frosty, "You better stay

walked away, leaving Bryce to stew in humiliation outside the Sheldons'. Whitney's injured lip and Ludwik's scorn fueled his

the Sheldons felt

fist, turning off the recording on his phone with a vow to retaliate against Ludwik's humiliation tenfold.

just returned to the Lipperts, and Bryce was convinced he

---

you be at ease? She's holding 10% of the shares. If she starts thriving in the Sheldon Group, your dad bringing her into headquarters is only a matter of time!" "I'll definitely join the Sheldon Group," Florence said with a veiled smile, her eyes narrowing. "The Lipperts hold a majority stake, which means Ludwik is in charge,

in. That's how I'll make Whitney pay. Then, I'll have Uncle pull some strings. How could I possibly let Whitney have an easy time in the Sheldon

get involved with the Sheldon Group. Even in front of your father, she's managed to corner me into silence! It's time we dealt with Whitney too. We can't let her grow her influence in Emperor City. I'll have a word with your uncle

flickered in Holly's eyes.

Florence glanced toward the Sheldon family's

out a little while ago. It seems like there was some urgent business with the Lippert family? Though I did see Whitney getting into his car. It looked like they were heading to the Lipperts' together." Florence coughed slightly, her tone reproachful, "And you're only telling

car ready. I'm

around the Lippert family, to