Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 569

As Ludwik swung the door open, his sharp gaze immediately locked with Thea's.

Clutching her Hermes Birkin, Thea exuded an aura of opulence and grace, standing by the bedside a good two yards from Natalie.

Natalie was seated on the bed, her simplicity and tranquility a stark contrast to her long battle with illness. The toll of her sickness had left her gaunt and pallid. Next to Thea, she felt as if she had aged a decade.

Her demeanor was calm, with a slight, welcoming smile for her visitor, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of insecurity and unease.

Upon seeing Ludwik, Natalie's voice was soft and steady, "Ludwik, you're here. Mrs. Lippert has come to visit me..."

Ludwik's chilly demeanor took over as he stepped in, his gaze settling on Thea's smiling face, "And what exactly brings Mrs. Lippert here to visit my mother? Are you two acquainted?"

"Ludwik, please, don't jump to conclusions. As Jason's wife, it's only right that I come to check on your mother, isn't it? Jason would never show up; it's against the Lippert family's principles. I thought I'd come in his stead to show some concern," Thea replied, her voice composed and dignified, her hands clasped together.

Natalie looked down, her eyes shimmering with timidity.

To the world, Thea was Jason's legitimate wife, the lady of Harmonia Country's premier family.

And she? Just a woman who had shamefully crossed paths with Jason years ago, bearing Ludwik as a result.

The right and wrong of it all were vividly painted in Thea's words.

Ludwik glanced at his mother's expression, his eyes turning icy, "Mrs. Lippert, I think it's time for you to leave. It won't be pretty if you're still here when I lose my temper."

"Ludwik..." Natalie, wary of her son's impulsiveness, interjected, "She's family, after all. She said she came to visit me, we should be gracious hosts."

Thea smirked, "See, your mother knows a thing or two about manners. Perhaps it's her years of living under someone else's roof that taught her some life lessons. It's refreshing, coming from someone of a lesser background."

closer to Thea, towering over her with a sneer, "I've demoted Jarvis. You're here to rub salt in the wound? Or perhaps you think

faded as her eyes flickered with malice, "Why so hostile, Ludwik? Since when is it wrong for me to visit your mother in Emperor City? After all, if she ever wishes to enter the Lippert family fold, I should have a say against it to Camilla. I am Jason's wife. A mere fling doesn't have the standing to enter the Lippert family's ancestral

dragging her towards the door, "You're overthinking it. As the CEO of Lippert Group, my mother already has a distinguished status in Harmonia Country. That alone puts her

Thea's face turned ashen.

tightly, her knuckles whitened

threw

mother? Ludwik, how long do you think you'll hold

---

Thea's departure, Natalie visibly

His regal and resolute nature was ingrained in him; he was a

family, whether you could stand your ground amidst their scheming. But seeing how you dealt with Thea,

title, to rid myself of the inferiority Kaden imposed on me for years. But you're right. As the CEO of the Lippert Group, what do I have to feel inferior about? I'd rather not associate with Thea. Your father

family. Once I'm discharged, buy me a villa,

his mother's voice

Whitney, whose gentleness

had been a while since she

was a

public announcement of her marriage had

not responding to his

buying near Whitney's place is hard for you, I'll swallow.my pride. +saw the news today.

see Whitney as a daughter. I want her happiness, yet it

selfish... Perhaps

liberating. I ache for Whitney, and I

a slight chance between you

with a furious red