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."

your father are alike, stubborn in matters of the heart. You're too devoted, and your father, too detached. Besides worrying about the Lippert family, I'm concerned about you

console, "Mom, let's not dwell on the

Should he have let

played us, and Wade

brought in billions, along

now. With you

"I'm still in touch with the

mysterious person

partner with Inko Group,

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

Group's reach is vast, with offices

president's secret financial

office tomorrow. It's time for the Lippert

meet with

Jason's gaze was intense.

remained silent

-

grandmother, Ludwik excused himself,

Truthfully, he felt lost.

his spirit hit rock bottom. What future did he have if he wasn't whole? He couldn't envision a life

gaze reminded him, the Lippert family depended on him. He

Ludwik found himself

vision blurring as he laughed

remembered Whitney

another bottle of vodka,

drunken Ludwik, chuckled, then quickly disappeared into a private

guess who I just saw

Patrick? Just

so beaten down, cheap clothes and all, drowning his sorrows. I barely recognized