Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 663

Whitney couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the state of the Lippert Group today, but she was even more shocked to learn just how badly the Lippert family had been bleeding money. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Tiana shrugged helplessly. "Haven't I been crashing at Ludwik's these past few days? Everything I heard was straight from the horse's mouth. Then, I did a bit of digging on my own. In just a few days, the Lippert family has had to pay out over two hundred billion to various companies. With so many subsidiaries under the group, they're running on fumes. Cash flow is a mess, and now they've hit a dead end. Ludwik's big bet on chip development was supposed to secure the Lippert family's spot at the top of the global food chain. But now, it's all come crashing down... A financial dynasty, crumbling to dust. It's a real shame."

Whitney looked down, her thoughts racing. "Today, I saw the Lane Group moving to take over the Lippert family's assets."

Tiana scoffed. "All these scavengers, just waiting for a chance. Really, they're all just dancing to the tune played by the Patrick Group. I never thought Jason's in-laws could bring the Lippert family to its knees. Heard Mrs. Lippert played a big part in this mess. Now, Jarvis has thrown his lot in with the Patrick Group. With their backing, all the major families in Emperor City are watching the Lippert family's downfall like it's prime-time entertainment." Tiana had easily found all this information online, her casual tone belying the gravity of the situation.

Whitney paused for a moment, the pieces falling into place. Thea and Jarvis were mother and son, and Jarvis's real father was none other than Wade Patrick. It seemed Jason had been thoroughly outplayed by Thea.

With a cold glint in her eye, Whitney wondered if Ludwik knew about Jarvis's true parentage. She had stumbled upon the secret herself and had kept it from him...

"With the Lippert family in such a state, you should keep the boys close. It's best they don't go back for now," Tiana advised, then suddenly turned to Whitney with a concerned look. "But does Ludwik agree with you taking the kids and living with Bryce?" Whitney stiffened just as Bryce's soothing voice came from the doorway. "Uncle, I'm here. And Sammy's with you? Where's Mom?"

Danny eyed the gifts in Bryce's hands without a word, while Sammy greeted him with a smart smile. "Bryce, you're too formal, bringing gifts for dinner. Mom's chatting with Tiana."

Bryce paused, feeling a twinge of discomfort. Technically, since he and Whitney were married, this was his home too. But Sammy's words made him feel like an outsider. He tousled the boy's hair nonchalantly. "I got something fun for you kids to check out later." "Wow, thank you, handsome!" Cherry beamed, always pleased with a present.

Danny, on the other hand, was less than impressed, pinching Cherry's cheek in frustration. "You're too naive, helping the enemy count their money. Who even knows who your real dad is, with you being this gullible."

"You're the gullible one! Don't you dare insult Mr. Doonan. He's way more handsome than your dad!"

"Your dad isn't Uncle Parker."

He is!" Cherry wailed, on

the low emotional intelligence on display. "Danny, what have I told you about keeping your

can't," Danny pouted, clearly

his brother, lowering his voice. "I'll keep an eye

from the conversation with Whitney, just in time to catch the tail end of the kids'

as well, her

You've been so busy strategizing, I didn't want to bother you. Heard Florence is in

at the Sheldon family estate. Her grandparents are still there,

make much of a splash anymore," Bryce said with a

wheeled himself out from the kitchen. "What's the discussion about?

considerate man, began clearing the table. He looked at the kids, choosing Sammy to address. "Kids, your mom and I have our wedding villa ready. It's quite spacious. If you're free, I'd love

mix of curiosity and apprehension in his voice. "Mom,

searching for

knew Sammy might adjust, but Danny would be a sticking

having a

"I'll talk it over with them. Sammy, why don't you take your brother and sister to the

her pleading look, Sammy understood. As the responsible older brother, he took Danny's hand.

fit a more Western context, replacing specific

quickly covered Danny's mouth with his hand, silencing him. With his actions, Danny resembled

boys were distracted, Whitney pulled Bryce aside under the shelter of

down at her with a

I might have to postpone moving in with you for a

a troubled look, "For one,