Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"If you don't fancy a stint behind bars, we can strike a deal, but lay off Tiana, will ya?

And as for Parker, I'm giving you a deadline to find him. He's a mate of mine, and I can't stand the thought of him suffering because of your mess." With those words, Whitney turned on her heel and left.

Ludwik's gaze turned icy. She was threatening him with jail time yet was willing to negotiate because of her concern for another man, Parker.

In a swift move, Ludwik caught her by the wrist and yanked her back, pinning her against the edge of the desk with his towering frame. "You're this worried about Parker? You could fuss over any other bloke, fret over Tiana, even worry about our two boys, but you won't spare a thought for me. For the Lippert legacy," Ludwik's voice was laced with pain and self-mockery. "Am I really that heartless to you, Whitney? After all these years, our whirlwind marriage, the journey from strangers to love, our kids... I admit I've screwed up, trusted the wrong people, hurt you. But after all these tangled years, don't I mean something to you? Did you ever... even love me?"

He recounted their history in brief, evoking a flood of memories for Whitney.

For a moment, her heart wavered, touched by the rare glimpse of despair in his eyes. But she quickly steeled herself against the sentiment. He was special, he was loved.

But he had destroyed it all himself.

Whitney shoved him away, her voice firm, "I did love you. But as you know, that's in the past. The moment you left Elaine for Florence, getting her pregnant - that was when my love for you ended. Remember my terms; I won't waste my breath."

She walked away without looking back.

Ludwik, drained of strength, slumped against the wall. The realization that his spirit was crumbling hit him hard. He had thought her presence could give him the courage to start over, to face anything. But now, he felt utterly defeated, without purpose.

Their relationship had been a gamble; controlling everything meant controlling her. But now, with everything lost, he knew she would fly away. He no longer deserved her.

As Whitney headed for the elevator, Felix rushed over, intercepting her at the lobby doors.

"Ms. Valentine, can we talk?"noveldrama

His voice carried a plea, his expression bitter.

Whitney paused, out of respect for Felix, who, aside from Parker, had been a significant ally.

"What is it, Felix?"

Trying to mask his discomfort, Felix said, "Ms. Valentine, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Mr. Lippert. I'm begging you, please don't report him."

Whitney's eyes narrowed, "Felix, you know better than anyone the kind of monster he is. You've been his right hand. Bryce and I could have had a peaceful life if it weren't for him. He turned my wedding into a scandal, tarnishing both our reputations. How many people are laughing at us now? If I don't take action, how can I face myself, or Bryce?"

"But, Ms. Valentine," Felix persisted, "reporting Mr. Lippert now could ruin him. If he's locked up, the Lippert empire might crumble without him Think of the consequences for the family. Jason's in a coma, Riley's in despair over Justin Lippert, Heidi Lippert ran off with Thea. The old lady's bedridden from the shock. She's been kind to you, and you wouldn't want to see her suffer, right? And then there's Danny and Sammy..."

Whitney's expression softened slightly at the mention of the boys.

Felix continued, "Danny and Sammy

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are Mr. Lippert's flesh and blood. The downfall of the Lippert empire would affect them too. They'll always be recognized as Lippert heirs. And Danny, he's so attached to Mr. Lippert. Despite everything,

can't deny he's been a gov

father. Would you really condemn them to suffer the stigma of their father's imprisonment?"

Whitney was silent, torn between her need for justice and the welfare of her children.

"Felix, I get your point. For the sake of a father's love for his children, maybe I need to think this over."

Felix's words had struck a chord. Whitney had been focused on Bryce's request for justice, but now, faced with the potential impact on her children,

she found herself in a dilemma. How could she explain her decision to Bryce if she chose not to pursue charges against Ludwik?

Felix saw the distant look in her eyes and decided not to press further, silently hoping he could change her mind.

He nodded and made his way upstairs, worried about Mr. Lippert's state when he had dashed out earlier.

Whitney collected her thoughts and headed back to her car, pulling out her phone to call Tiana.

If she took Ludwik's word for it, Tiana should have been home by now.

"Hey, Whitney..."

"Are you back home? Why do you keep missing my calls, making me come all the way to the Lipperts' place..."

Whitney spoke, a mix of worry and frustration in her voice.

"Whitney," Tiana's voice came through, lowered and tense, "can you come find me now? And bring a couple of bodyguards."

"What, what happened to you?" Whitney caught the urgency, "Where are you?"

Tiana's breath shook as she answered, "I've been caught by Barclay, I had no idea he'd suddenly show up in Emperor City! I'm by the southside crossroads, I just ran..."

"I'm on my way!"

Whitney hung up, quickly checked the map, relieved that the Lippert Group wasn't far from the crossroads.

She had Cody organize a team of bodyguards and led the charge herself—