Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 176

The Imperial Gem Corporation had fallen into the clutches of that ruthless father–son duo? Whitney

couldn’t believe the whirlwind of events, her anger boiling over.

“Ludwik’s being smeared with rumors of mental problem. The major shareholders will never reappoint

him. A simple board meeting will see him ousted. After all, four hundred billion in liquid assets… it’s a

lot to leave in his hands.” Tiana blabbered on without a filter.

Valerie’s eyes widened in warning, and Tiana instantly clammed up. But Whitney was lost in a daze.

Four hundred billion… In his downfall, she had inadvertently added to the momentum.

Without Imperial Gem, everything he had built from scratch was gone. What would he do now?

Whitney couldn’t picture the once–admired t reduced to nothing. Could he accept it himself?

She was deeply concerned for him. His sudden disappearance from the hospital, was he in hiding, was

his mind unraveling?

“Tiana, can you use your contacts to find out where he is? His hysteria hasn’t healed, and this shock

might trigger a relapse. I’m terrified he won’t recover…”

Tiana shook her head sympathetically, “I can’t find him. No matter how low Ludwik has sunk, his

methods of keeping things under wraps are beyond my reach.”

“Whitney, don’t worry too much. He’s weathered many storms. Maybe he just needs some time to cool

off? But you mustn’t go looking for him. Your situation is even more precarious,” Valerie said somberly

after reviewing the medical reports.

Whitney knew her bleeding hadn’t stopped. She was bedridden.

“Let’s wait. A man like Ludwik isn’t the type to just roll over. Maybe he’s preparing his next move,” Tiana

tried to stay optimistic.

Whitney believed he wouldn’t simply fade away, and all she could do was wait.

A week passed without any news from Ludwik, as if he had vanished from the earth.

Whitney was cooped up in her hospital room by Tiana, under strict orders to rest for the sake of her This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

unborn child, living in a daze.

She barely managed to get permission to use the restroom and when she tried to visit Natalie, she

found Natalie’s room sealed off, no one allowed in.

Was this Ludwik’s doing? Whitney speculated dejectedly, where could he be?

Throughout the week, Orion had been hogging the limelight, the news was abuzz with his ascension as

the new CEO of Imperial Gem.

The Lippert family, Banyan City’s elite, also graced the pages of the press repeatedly.

Seeing Kaden, Rylie and Orion on screen, Whitney realized Natalie was right; they were indeed a

family of three. She couldn’t fathom how Kaden could be so cruel to his own flesh and blood, to his

lawful wife? But on the eighth day, the Lippert family’s moment in the sun was eclipsed by another

major financial headline.

Skyfaith Electronic Tech was making a grand entrance onto the Stock Exchange in Amoria Country!

Tiana was familiar with Skyfaith, “Oh my God, Isn’t that the tech giant from Banyan City, on par with

Imperial Gem and United Realty? They’ye always been so secretive, and their market value is insane!

They’re going public in Amoria Country, and even Imperial Gem, a top global company, hasn’t achieved

that distinction. Skyfaith could rival the world’s top tech firms. It’s frustrating, I’ve been trying to uncover

who owns it for years with no luck.”

Whitney half–listened as Tiana rambled on.

Tiana scoffed with schadenfreude, “Skyfaith’s news has completely overshadowed Orion’s. He must be

fuming!”

“They produce the world’s most advanced smart chips. Today, Any machine, car, or electronic product

needs a chip. It’s clear Skyfaith will become Banyan City’s new darling”

Seeing Tiana on her computer, Whitney casually inquired, “Tiana, my cousin Yael Tennyson, have you

been able to-

“No,” Tiana slumped her shoulders, I’ve got hacking skills, but anything related to Ludwik, I just can’t

trace.”

In the past days, Whitney had asked Tiana to look for her cousin, but she knew if Ludwik was hiding

her, no one would find her. She’d have to confront him herself.

Two more days went by.

That morning, as Whitney was getting her dressing changed,

Tiana returned from getting breakfast and suddenly announced, “I went upstairs to see the doctor and

saw people in Natalie’s ward. They looked like they were preparing to move her back home.

Surrounded by bodyguards, I couldn’t get anywhere near.”

Whitney paused, a surge of excitement lifting her from the bed. “Does that mean he’s back?”

Tiana nodded, panting heavily.

A spark of hope lit in Whitney’s eyes. She was about to get out of bed when her phone chirped.

She glanced down, the name on the screen made her heart race, her breath catching: Hubby

She hadn’t changed the contact name.

Tears welled up, but she hid her joy, answering the phone with a trembling, hoarse voice, “L, where are

you? I’ve been so worried….

The voice on the other end didn’t leave room for her words, “Meet me at the Ether Cafe downtown.

There are some documents you need to sign.”

His tone was almost devoid of emotion.

Whitney was taken aback, but before she could say

another word, Ludwik had hung up.

Through the phone line, his breath was chillingly detached. A shiver ran through Whitney.

Yet her heart was filled with relief; he was willing to see her.

No matter what the documents were, he was willing to meet her at last!

“Hey, Tiana, L wants to see me,” Whitney chuckled, tumbling out of bed in a fluster to dress, her face

pale as ghost. She was a bundle of nerves. “Tiana, could you put on some blush for me? I don’t want

him to see me looking all washed out.”

“You’ve been through hell and back for this baby” The thought of Whitney bedridden for a week tugged

at Tiana’s heartstrings. “Really, he’s coming to see you? What for?”

“No clue, I guess we’ll find out.” Whitney took a deep breath and darted out of the hospital room without

another moment’s pause.

“You are head over heels for him,” Tiana shook her head in disapproval as she followed behind.

Whitney hailed a cab outside the hospital, her belly at six months looking as though she was carrying

twins. Driving was out of the question.

Suddenly, a Range Rover pulled up in front of her, and Whitney scowled, only to see the window roll

down, revealing Orion’s smirking face.

“Having trouble catching a cab? Let me give you a lift, Ms. Valentine.”

“Stay away from mel” Whitney spat, repulsed by his presence.

Orion didn’t miss the loathing in her eyes. With a sly smile, he said, “I just happened to be passing by

the hospital. Been meaning to have a chat with you.”

“I don’t talk to despicable, dishonest people.”

“Oh? Even if it’s about your uncle? It won’t take much of your time.”

With a frown and a cold stare, Whitney eventually got into his car, Orion didn’t drive far before pulling

over at a quaint little coffee shop. He ushered her inside, but Whitney refused to sit.

Raising an eyebrow, Orion fished a card out of his suit and tossed it in front of her. “Heard your uncle

got life, thanks to my brother. Pretty harsh. I promised him a hefty sum. Here, take it. He did put in the

effort for me, even though I duped him. But honestly, he was a fool to kidnap Natalie.”

“All this is your doing, all your wicked schemes and deceptions! And now you show up playing the

saint?” Whitney hurled the card back at him, seething with rage.