Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Heidi's heart firmly sided with her father. "Dad, dad... Mom's been under the weather these past few days, probably just resting up at home. Please, don't be mad."

"Tell her to get over here, right now!"

Jason coughed up a bit of blood, staggering back several steps before Ludwik quickly supported him.

"I don't think Parker destroyed the chip." Jason clutched Ludwik's hand, his voice trembling, "I can't hold on much longer, Ludwik. You need to take charge. Whoever you think the mole is, you make the call."

Understanding dawned on Ludwik as he handed his father over to Heidi.

He raised his voice, cutting through the shareholders' grumbling, "The mole isn't Parker. His whereabouts are currently unknown, and his chances don't look good.

He certainly has no reason to side with the Patricks.

Justin, I'm giving you one last chance. If you come clean about what you did to Parker, what you were doing in the lab,

I might just spare your life."

Justin wailed, "Dad, everyone, I swear I didn't! Ludwik's framing me, using me as a scapegoat to cover for his brother!

I'm just a scapegoat, why would I steal the chip? I didn't..."

Ludwik's fists clenched as he turned to Riley, "Uncle, I'm sorry, but he's being stubborn."

"Ludwik..."

"Felix, call the cops! Let's have Justin taken in. They'll know how to make him talk, get the truth out."

"Dad, save me, I didn't do it, I swear..." Justin's plea was cut short as he was hauled away by the security.

Riley was frantic, rushing forward in an attempt to intervene, "Ludwik, think this through. You don't have concrete evidence. Why are you so fixated on Justin?"

"Because he was in the lab, he's the reason Parker's gone, playing the victim while being the perpetrator."

Ludwik was determined to press Justin until Parker's whereabouts were revealed.

Parker's disappearance was a significant oversight, an error that weighed heavily on Ludwik, even more so than the crisis facing the Lippert family. "Uncle, look at your son, his shifty eyes, his guilt. Don't you know him by now?"

Riley hesitated, still pleading, "Let me talk to him! Ludwik, for my sake..."

"You won't get anything out of him. To the police station with him!"

Ludwik's decisive manner silenced the murmuring shareholders, all wary of provoking his wrath.

Ludwik glanced at the weary shareholders, signaling the end of the dispute, "Justin is the first step in making things right. It's late; you should all head home and rest."

"Rest?" Mr. Liam scoffed angrily, "Can any of us really sleep?

Ludwik, it doesn't matter whether Justin or Parker destroyed the chip,

the company is in disarray, the Lippert family is panicking. How do you plan to clean up this mess?"

Under the harsh fluorescent lights, Ludwik lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line, "I apologize for the losses this has caused everyone.

The Lippert Group has been the family's legacy for generations, it won't fall so easily.

For over a decade, it has weathered many storms under my father's leadership.

We are Harmonia Country's leading enterprise, our reputation is paramount. We will fulfill our obligations, compensating every affected company. If necessary, I'll cover the shortfall from my own accounts. I will protect your interests as shareholders.

And, should the Lippert family falter, I will resign and take full responsibility."

With that, he supported his father Jason as they left, their silhouettes towering and unyielding under the light.

The shareholders exchanged looks, sighing deeply, slumping into their chairs.

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Back in his office, Ludwik was about to order Felixto search for Parker and investigate the incident when an executive burst in, "Mr. Lippert, something terrible has happened: The chairman collapsed in his car downstairs and is now being rushed to the hospital by Riley and the others."

Ludwik's heart sank, and he immediately grabbed his coat, rushing downstairs.

Arriving at the hospital, Jason was quickly taken to the emergency room.

Camilla, trembling yet steadfast, followed closely, "Jason, you can't let me bury my own child."noveldrama

Ludwik, feeling a lump in his throat, supported his grandmother.

After hours of emergency treatment, the doctor emerged with grim news, "The stress triggered a relapse, causing a cerebellar stroke. The next 24 hours are critical. Any further stress could lead to permanent paralysis."

"What?" The matriarch nearly collapsed.

This was a devastating blow for the Lippert family.

Just as the company faced turmoil, Jason fell ill.

She looked to Ludwik, "Ludwik, the weight of the family now rests on your shoulders."

Ludwik remained silent, his eyes stinging as he stared at the operating room.

Then, his phone rang. Turning away, he answered with a hoarse voice, "Felix, what is it?"

"Mr. Lippert! Justin was taken from the police station before interrogation. The chief let him go, and it was Jarvis who pulled the strings.

I tried to use your influence to counteract it, but to no avail... Behind Jarvis is the rapidly rising power of the Patrick family." Ludwik's features darkened with fury.

He should have known. Without someone pulling the strings, Justin, the scapegoat, would never dare to orchestrate such a scheme.

"Deploy someone to intercept Jarvis at the station. Justin must not be taken by him!"

Before he could finish, the phone was snatched from his hand.

Turning, he saw Riley had taken it, his gaze conflicted and evasive as he shut the phone off, "Ludwik, let Justin go."

"Did you already know he was released?" Ludwik fixed his stare on him, recalling how Riley had stepped away to take a call during those two hours.

To bail someone out of jail required family authorization.

Ludwik clenched his teeth, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Was it you who agreed to have Jarvis bail out Justin?"

Riley choked on his words, anger

and desperation painting his face. "What choice did I have? He's my only son, Ludwik. But you... you were determined to see him behind bars, ready to ruin his entire life.

Ludwik advanced, his voice laced with accusation. "Uncle, deep down, you know Justin is the one who stole the chip, don't you?

Parker is innocent. Yet, he's been framed and is now missing, thanks to Justin and Jarvis!"

"I'm not sure!" Riley exclaimed in agony. He knew Ludwik despised Justin. Justin was reckless, a troublemaker, but he was Riley's legacy.

Riley was also aware of the sacrifices Parker had made to protect the lab.

The board members slandered Parker, accusing him of monopolizing the chip's contract, oblivious to Parker's genuine intentions to safeguard the company from traitors.

And yet, Riley's biggest oversight was his own son.

"We can't let Jarvis take Justin. It's too dangerous," Ludwik stated, his voice a blend of caution and ice.

"So, what? We just let him die? For stealing that chip and causing billions in losses, Justin could face the death penalty."