Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"The Lippert family needs to give us shareholders an explanation today!"

Under intense pressure in the brightly lit office, Jason's face turned ashen as he started coughing violently.

Heidi Lippert stormed out, glaring pointedly at Ludwik. "Why are all you shareholders blocking my dad? The decision was made by Ludwik! Besides, do you think the Lippert family isn't anxious? We're about to lose our position as the leading family!"

Riley sharply interjected, "Enough with the arguing. Right now, we need to find out who the mole is, the one who stole and destroyed the lab data."

"What's the use of locking the barn after the horse is stolen? Finding the mole might get them jailed, but the Lippert family's position is definitely in jeopardy," a shareholder retorted with heavy sarcasm. "Tomorrow morning, the companies we had contracts with will come knocking. How can we not compensate them? If we don't, we'll be facing lawsuits, which will tarnish our company's reputation. If we do compensate, how will the company survive? Bankruptcy?"

"Have you all yelled enough?"

Ludwik's cold voice silenced the room. His imposing aura, honed from years of leadership, filled the space. Stepping out from the crowd, the overhead lights cast a stark glow on his defined features, his eyes glinting with frost.

"I will not let the Lippert family go bankrupt. I will find out who destroyed the chip data― And if I find that mole, I'll make their life a living hell!"

As he spoke, his gaze, sharp as a leopard's, cut straight to Justin, who stood behind Riley, his previously amused expression vanishing in an instant. He scoffed, "Big brother, why bother looking for a mole? It's your friend, Parker!"

"The mole can't be Parker. It must be you!"

Ludwik's gaze made Justin pale, "You're talking nonsense!"

"You and Parker left the lab at the same time. It's not yet clear who took the chips. Parker and I are brothers in arms; he would never betray me. I swear it. Justin, you've always been lazy, and now you're using Parker as a scapegoat, causing him trouble. What exactly happened in the lab that day? Out with it!"

He gripped Justin's neck tightly.

"Ludwik," Riley exclaimed, "what are you saying? How could my son Justin steal the chips? Are you suspecting me, too?"

Ludwik's eyes were cold. "Uncle, I don't suspect you. I know your loyalty. But your son, he's the only male heir to the Lippert name besides me. Justin, you know this. If I were gone, you'd be the last heir, right?"

"You're making things up, you're slandering me. Dad, I've never thought of betraying you or the Lippert family! It's obviously Parker, that outsider, using his relationship with Ludwik to steal the chips. He's had ulterior motives from the start. These days, Parker has almost monopolized the chips. The company knows he hasn't allowed other senior shareholders near the lab. Mr. Liam, didn't you see Parker meeting someone secretly at the coffee shop that day? Tell us!"

"Yes... Yes, Ludwik, I think the culprit is Parker. Don't cover for your brother anymore. He's aligned with the Patrick family."noveldrama

"What? The Patrick family?" Jason frowned.

"Yes, Chairman," Mr. Liam said gravely. "A few days ago, I was having coffee when I saw Parker meeting with the General Manager of the Patrick Group, and Jarvis was there too. We all know Jarvis has close ties with the Patrick family. Parker has joined them! Just today, I heard the Patrick Group, with a market value of nine hundred billion, suddenly topped the Hurun List, becoming the wealthiest. That's not even the worst part. Weiman Technologies has given the chip rights in Harmonia Country to the Patrick Group! This means any company in Harmonia wanting chips will have to work with the Patrick Group. After Ludwik disrupted the Patrick Group's finances, they've held a grudge against the Lippert family. Now, with just a nod from the Patrick Group, who else would want to work with us? The Lippert family is about to be isolated."

Ludwik froze.

Jarvis, the Patrick Group?

How could it be? Before Whitney's wedding, he had cornered the Patrick Group.

He knew neither the Patrick Group nor Jarvis could stir trouble anymore, which is why he left.

Could it be there's someone behind the Patrick Group, still hidden?

It became clear to Ludwik that Parker visiting the coffee shop was a setup.

And the mastermind behind this... was Justin!

Jarvis must have threatened Parker into meeting, with Mr. Liam merely a pawn in their game.

His gaze on Justin was sharp enough to cut, sending shivers down Justin's spine.

"No way? Mr. Liam, are you serious?" The shareholders were shocked, particularly those from the Lippert clan, their faces turning ashen.

Riley couldn't believe it, "The Patrick Group has a market value of 900 billion?

That's impossible. Even if The Patrick Group belongs to the big boss's wife's family, it's always been at the bottom of the pile."

"How could The Patrick Group top

the Forbes list? Where did all this wealth come from?" Erin Lippert's

face was pale as he looked at Jason, "I've never heard of The Patrick Group having any powerful shareholders. Those Patricks are just a bunch of nobodies.

Mr. Liam continued, "That's because you Lipperts were too proud, completely fooled!

Chairman no offense, but you've

been duped by your wife. The

Patrick Group has been leeching off

the Lippert family's support for

years, playing poor while

accumulating wealth.

How could The Patrick Group not have influential shareholders?

I recently heard that 60% of The Patrick Group's shares are held by Ludwik of the Patrick family.

And Ludwik Patrick, having lived abroad for years, hid the family's wealth overseas.

Now, they're transferring it back home and rising rapidly, soon to surpass the Lippert family as the top enterprise in Harmonia.

And this Parker, he might have shown his loyalty to the Patrick family by destroying those chips!"

Jason aged years in a moment, closing his eyes in frustration, cursing himself for realizing the Patrick family's ambitions too late.

His gaze suddenly turned dark as he looked at Heidi, noticing the absence of Thea by her side.

"Where's your mother?!" Jason roared, utterly disappointed.

Heidi knew something about her mother's bias towards her maternal family and had been conspiring with her brother Jarvis to seize the Lippert family's fortune.

Feeling guilty, she glanced around, realizing Thea was nowhere to be found at such a critical moment.