Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 463

Florence gave Ludwik a mischievous tug. "Hey, Ludwik, looks like we've got the place to ourselves. Let's sit down and eat, shall we?"

"You go ahead. I need a smoke. Your nutritionist will bring your meal over!" Ludwik replied, his tone detached as he walked away, leaving Florence's smile to freeze on her lips. She knew he was just putting on a show for Whitney. No matter, as long as it gets under Whitney's skin!

-

At another restaurant.

"Whitney, are you okay? Ludwik seemed pretty eager to get rid of us, and you looked upset," Sandy said, still trying to grasp the situation.

Whitney responded with a cold, humorless laugh. "Why should I care about someone who means nothing to me?"

"It seems like Ludwik is always picking on you because of Florence," Sandy remarked innocently.

Her words, however, stung Whitney like a sharp needle, causing her to pause mid-bite.

Shane, on the other hand, looked amused, thinking to himself that Ludwik's actions weren't about Florence at all-he was just jealous of Whitney... Ding-a-ling—

Whitney's phone rang, and her lips tightened into a frosty line as she saw the caller ID.

What now? Wasn't kicking me out because of Florence enough?

She didn't want to answer, but the persistent ringing felt as oppressive as Ludwik himself.

With her nerves on edge, she stood up to answer, "Mr. Lippert, what can I do for you now?"

"You messed up the documents you submitted. Get up here right now! Otherwise, I'll have you fired from S-T Group."

didn't submit any documents this morning. You're just looking for trouble, aren't you?" Whitney

to hang up, cold and

suppress her anger, her face pale

the others had overheard, their anger palpable yet unvoiced. "Is Ludwik giving you a hard time again? Is Florence behind this? You barely touched your lunch!" Whitney felt a chill in her heart. Was Florence playing tricks? The thought

with Sandy quickly

Shane, who whispered, "Go, take

the assistant nodded and followed

-

S-T Group's sales department, Whitney stormed into Ludwik's office, only to find it

of Ludwik's silhouette in her own small office across the

around and point at the lunch box on

commanding presence was intimidating, his eyes ablaze with

you out of your mind or just plain schizophrenic? You've already made it clear I'm not welcome to eat in the restaurant because of your precious Florence!" Ludwik didn't have time for her. Glancing at his watch and then coldly at Whitney's angry face, he was frustrated. He

she not

don't have time to argue. Eat or don't - it's up to you. If I catch you flirting during work hours, you'll regret it," he said coldly before leaving, his long strides carrying him away as he began making a phone call. Whitney could barely catch him saying, "Parker, where are we meeting?" Whitney bit her lip, watching him leave, puzzled. Was he meeting Parker and not tormenting her at Florence's behest? She turned back to the

kicked out of the restaurant,

when its lid popped open, revealing her favorite dish, egg and lean pork congee, instead of the lily bulb porridge she'd ordered for Sandy, who had burnt her mouth. Three years ago, when she was pregnant and newly married to him, she had craved

misted over with complex emotions.

served

you playing at? Trying to make

the end... she couldn't bring herself

-

to finish lunch alone?" Sienna asked as she helped Florence into the company, nodding towards the female bodyguard behind them. "Why does Ludwik need to set you up with a bodyguard? Isn't he supposed to be your

worked hard to cultivate the

believed it without

assist her instead of offering his own support, unless Whitney was

And he arranged for a bodyguard because he's overly protective, preferring