Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 684

Jason's sigh hung heavily in the air as he looked at Ludwik, "I've been a force to be reckoned with all my life, never did I imagine witnessing the Lippert dynasty's decline in my old age. Ludwik, remember, we've burdened your grandmother!

She lived a life of splendor alongside your grandfather. Now, at eighty, she's confined to this small place."

"Jason," the matriarch frowned, interrupting her son, "Don't speak like that. The nature of the world is such; rise and fall follow one another.

Perhaps it's all fate. We're doing alright as is."

Her calm demeanor hid a resilient strength, "In times of decline, we must remain optimistic. At least we're not struggling for food or shelter. Compared to the average family, we're still much better off. Aside from the disdain from those nouveau riche, it's nothing." Ludwik lowered his gaze, surprised by his grandmother's outlook. She truly was the most insightful in the family.

"Grandma, I'm sorry. It's my fault the Lippert family has fallen to this state," he admitted.

"You certainly have a part in it!" Jason didn't mince his words, his rebuke cold, "You were supposed to lead the company during the chip launch. If it weren't for your elopement with Whitney, creating endless scandals, our adversaries wouldn't have had their chance. But I blame myself more, deceived by someone close for thirty years."

The old lady's gentle eyes turned cold, "I told you, Thea wasn't the right woman for you. You thought marrying an ordinary woman would safeguard the Lippert legacy. I advised you, why not marry someone you actually love?

In the end, you and Thea grew apart.

Actually, when you and Ludwik's mother got together, I saw she was a good girl.

Unfortunately, you both had your own families. It wasn't meant to be."

Her expression was complex, "By the way, Ludwik, where does your mother live now?"

"Why ask about such irrelevant matters?" Jason was uncertain of his mother's intent, his weathered face stiffening. Ludwik's mother had taken care of him in the hospital, he knew vaguely.

But he had no intention of reconnecting, to avoid discomfort on both sides.

Ludwik looked down, "Mom's living well in a villa downtown."

softening, "You and your father are alike, stubborn in matters of the heart. You're too devoted, and your father, too detached. Besides worrying about the Lippert

trying to console, "Mom,

a blessing. Should he have let Thea drive him to his

Wade took it

our foundation. Selling the estate brought in

you two at the helm, there's hope for

in touch

owe that mysterious

partner with Inko Group, bringing in their

has it the chairman has ties to the president. This elusive powerholder shuns the public eye, hence their absence from the

is vast, with

the president's secret

to the office tomorrow. It's time

try to meet with

Jason's gaze was intense.

silent for a

-

with his grandmother, Ludwik excused himself,

Truthfully, he felt lost.

rock bottom. What future did he have if he wasn't whole? He couldn't

reminded him, the Lippert family depended on him. He couldn't afford to

or sheer exhaustion, but Ludwik found himself wandering into a bar, seeking refuge in alcohol

after drink, his vision blurring as he laughed at the irony. Indeed, liquor was

barely remembered Whitney

bottle of

then quickly disappeared into a private room

I just saw at

Patrick? Just

Ludwik. Man, he looks so beaten down, cheap clothes and all, drowning his