Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Everyone took their seats around the grand dining table, its surface gleaming under the soft light of the chandelier overhead.

Mr. Tobias, with a gesture that spoke volumes, deferred the seat of honor to Ludwik, a move that did not go unnoticed by the keen observers in the room. Orion, couldn't help but smirk at the subtle power play unfolding.This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

After a few pleasantries and a toast, Mr. Tobias, with the sharp focus of a seasoned businessman, steered the conversation toward the topic of the evening, "The international jewelry exhibition hosted by the art gallery is a matter of great importance to the officials of Banyan City. I've been tasked with selecting the company to handle this prestigious event, and after thorough consideration, I must say, I'm most impressed with Skyfaith Group! Mr. Lippert's team is top-notch, and their proposal, along with their jewelry designs, are simply the best in Harmonia Country. Take a look for yourselves

As copies of the Skyfaith Group's proposal were passed around, Ludwik remained impassive, merely holding his cigarette. The other companies present could only dream of matching such excellence, and the officials seemed quite pleased.

Mr. Tobias, holding the floor, added, "If anyone thinks they have a better design or proposal, feel free to present it..."

"That we do!" Orion interjected with a confident smile, "Mr. Tobias, let me introduce Whitney, my latest recruit. Her designs and proposal deserve your personal attention."

This unexpected move caught everyone off guard, especially Mr. Tobias, who turned his attention to Whitney- "Oh?"

The room, predominantly filled with middle-aged male officials and project managers from various companies, suddenly found a new focus. Whitney, standing out in her striking red dress, captivated everyone with her beauty and grace. Mr. Tobias, in particular, was visibly charmed, "Ms. Valentine, are all jewelry designers as enchanting as you? It's a pleasure for the eyes. Let's see what you've got."

Whitney stood, her documents in hand, and as she moved, all eyes followed her every step. Ludwik, who had been calmly sipping his tea, tensed slightly at the attention she was receiving. The unwanted feelings of irritation and possessiveness flared up inside him, though he quickly tried to suppress them. After all, he reminded himself, she was no longer his concern.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tobias, unable to resist the old traditions of mixing business with pleasure, chuckled, "Whitney, we're at a dinner party. You know the rules, right? Let's warm up the atmosphere with a toast before we dive into business, shall we?"

Whitney, well-versed in the dynamics of such gatherings, was prepared. Orion, playing his part, poured her a drink, whispering, "To earn a fortune, you must be willing to do what it takes. Go on."

She understood Orion's motive-to provoke Ludwik. However, Ludwik seemed indifferent, his detachment clear.

"Shall I then?" Whitney said with a smile, gracefully accepting the challenge.

"Ah, Whitney knows how to play along!" Mr. Tobias exclaimed, impressed.

As Whitney made her rounds, toasting with the officials, her poise and charm didn't go unnoticed. Ludwik, however, could hardly contain his frustration. The sight of her mingling so freely, the way she had only ever done with him, ignited a jealousy he couldn't shake off. In a fit of anger, he slammed his glass down, catching everyone's attention.

Mr. Tobias, taken aback, asked, "Mr. Lippert, is something the matter?"

Ludwik's response was icy, "I thought we were here to discuss business, not to partake in a courting ritual. Perhaps, Mr. Tobias, we should focus on the matter at hand?"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Whitney, unfazed, retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "It's funny, considering we're still married, Mr. Lippert. I didn't realize observing me was such a chore."

The room erupted in whispers, the revelation of their relationship adding an unexpected twist to the evening. Mr. Tobias, now visibly nervous, tried to recalibrate, "My apologies, Whitney. It seems I've underestimated the situation. You're Mr. Lippert's... wife? Forgive my oversight."

The events of the evening at the Banyan City auction now hung in the air, an unspoken truth finally acknowledged. Word on the street was that Mr. Lippert's fiancée was a home-wrecker. Mr. Tobias, not one to keep up with high society gossip given his political career, had still caught wind of the rumors. It was like stirring up a ho's nest, Mr. Tobias awkwardly glanced at Ludwik.

With a dark look at Whitney, Ludwik knew exactly what game she was playing. His voice was cold, "Don't get it twisted. There's nothing left between us. That woman has a shady track record. Keep your eyes open, folks. Business is business!"

Mr. Tobias was taken aback, hearing not just a distancing but also a slight against Whitney in Ludwik's words. A marital spat at the dinner table? Mr. Tobias felt like he was caught in the crossfire. He turned, his expression awkward as he looked at Whitney, trying to steer the conversation back on track, "Ahem, Whitney, do you have the design drafts and project proposal from Imperial Gem Corporation?"

He planned to take a quick look and then dismiss it, eager to escape this uncomfortable dinner. Whitney had been waiting for her moment, her earlier revelation about her and Ludwik was meant to stop the drinking games. But Ludwik, the heartless cad.

She raised an eyebrow, a playful light in her eyes as she handed over her resume, "Mr. Tobias, take a look at my resume. You might change your mind about the bid."

Ludwik's cold gaze intensified. To his surprise, Mr. Tobias, upon reviewing the document, looked up with a newfound respect, "You were the lead designer for Royal Jewelry Company?!"

Whitney nodded with a smile, then handed over her design drafts and project proposal, "Mr. Tobias, Royal Jewelry Company once paid me half a billion to design for them for a year! I have extensive experience in large-scale jewelry exhibitions, having co-hosted the annual French Jewelry Exhibition at the Louvre."

She smirked, her statement hanging in the air. Ludwik's lips tightened, a look of surprise piercing through his usually unfazed demeanor as he turned to her, his gaze sharp as if trying to see through her.

"Well, big brother, what do you think? Is this Whitney up to the mark?" Orion finally cracked a smile, puffing out his chest, his gaze taunting Ludwik.