Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 658

Underneath the towering facade of Lippert Enterprises.

Whitney parked her car, momentarily lost in a daze.

She never thought, after being rescued from that deserted island, she'd ever cross paths with Ludwik again.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans, forcing her once more into the world of the Lippert family.

Yet...

The once-thriving Lippert Enterprises appeared to have lost its former glory.

The reception desk, usually manned by three cheerful receptionists, along with the security guard, was eerily vacant.

An unsettling sense of panic seemed to pervade the air.

As Whitney watched the elevator doors open, several employees hurried out, boxes in arms.

She instinctively raised her sleeve to cover her face, hoping not to be recognized.

But it seemed they were too preoccupied to notice her, murmuring among themselves, "I just got a call from HR over at Patrick Enterprises. They're offering to triple my salary to jump ship. It's not that I'm ungrateful, but when I checked with Lippert's finance department about this quarter's bonus, they said Mr. Lippert is prioritizing settlements first! Looks like our bonuses and salaries will be delayed. Patrick Enterprises seems like a brighter prospect now, I better leave."

"Jarvis, the GM of Patrick Enterprises, even called me personally. Leaving sooner seems better. Mr. Lippert is out of moves. For us professionals, staying here is just a waste of potential, a surefire way to ruin our future."

"Hold it right there!" a figure resembling a high-ranking executive burst out, attempting to stop the resigning employees, "Did you even submit your resignation to Mr. Lippert? When times were good, you enjoyed the highest salaries in the industry. Now, at the first sign of trouble, you dare to leave without notice. Do you think Mr. Lippert won't hear about this?"

"Keith, go ahead and tell him. I doubt Mr. Lippert has the time to care about us. We're definitely not staying. It's better to secure a good position at Patrick Enterprises now rather than waiting to be fired or starve here."

manager, Keith, cursed in frustration, "Ingrates! Has Mr. Lippert ever let you down? All

well, he can't offer you a

they quickly

back to the elevator, presumably to

on the brink of not being able to

situation was more dire than she

took the elevator to the executive floor. The secretary's office was nearly empty, the once-bustling floor now chaotic

office, she hadn't even knocked when a heated argument broke out from

If I were you, I'd accept my offer and sell Lippert Enterprises to me. I'll even waive the 30 billion penalty for the

voice was laced with cold fury. "Even if we breached the chip contract, we have countless subsidiaries - real estate, finance, hospitality, e-commerce

are you? Just Ludwik's

Lane's voice

was filled with

his mocking

Times change. People need to accept their fate. The Lippert family is

hardened, "Get

once the esteemed Ludwik, now look at you. And remember, I'm Justin of Patrick

it," Ludwik's voice was ice-cold, his

he kicked Ludwik's desk in frustration

door swung shut

here to threaten you... It

him off, suddenly looking up to see a figure

mix of shock and tension. Ludwik

voice was unexpectedly

turned around and