Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )

Ludwik had the steely resolve of a man who's not afraid to go against the grain, his gaze as unyielding as someone ready to burn his bridges. "You forced me back here, and I told you straight up-I'd help you out, but I never wanted to rule over the Lippert empire. I plan to marry Whitney, and if you don't approve, then this throne of the Lipperts isn't for me. Go ahead, strip me of my title today. Without the Lippert Group, Florence, do you still want to marry me? If you do, let's talk after I've stepped down as CEO."

Florence gasped, frozen in shock. She couldn't believe that despite the pressure from Jason and the public, Ludwik remained unbreakable, ready to face a lose-lose situation! Without his title in the Lippert Group, Ludwik would become a nobody. He was willing to gamble his future just to marry Whitney, and Florence's heart sank as she dug her nails into her palm until it bled.

Jason was rendered speechless by Ludwik's words. He only had this one son; he couldn't afford to lose him! The reputation of the Lippert family, the potential PR crisis for the Lippert Group, and Ludwik stepping down... This damn boy was forcing him to make a tough choice. Being outmaneuvered by his own son left Jason too angry for words. After a moment, he found his voice, sternly saying, "You can't joke about your position like this!"

Ludwik remained cool, "Then agree to let me marry Whitney. Once we're married, the public scrutiny will eventually settle down. As for the shareholders of the Lippert Group and the other branches of the Lippert family stirring up trouble against me... I'll handle it on my own, without dragging you into this."

Jason glared, "And if I don't agree?"

"I'll step down as CEO of the Lippert Group tomorrow and leave the Lippert family. Once I'm no longer the Lippert heir, taking Florence to deal with the pregnancy won't tarnish the Lippert family's reputation. Seems like a good solution to me."

Florence trembled, tears falling as she clutched her stomach, "Ludwik, this child is yours. If you make me get rid of it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life! Jason, you can't let him harm my baby, you just can't..."

Her terrified demeanor softened Jason's heart, "I won't let him hurt the child, Florence, don't worry! It seems I have no choice but to stay out of your marriage issues. You want to marry Whitney, but she might not even accept you. I'd like to see if she has the nerve!" "That's none of your concern."

"The news just broke about you forcing Florence to abort, and next you're announcing your engagement to her as a deal... You're throwing the Lippert Group's stocks into chaos. If you can't handle your personal crisis and the company's losses, forget about bringing Whitney into the family!"

"I'll take care of it," Ludwik said, his tone ice-cold. He buttoned up his suit jacket, not sparing Florence a glance, and walked out the Lippert mansion, escorted by Felix.

"Florence... what's wrong!" Florence's eyes were red, and she fainted, pale as a ghost. Holly shouted out loud, on purpose. Jason's expression changed, and he called out, "Butler, call a doctor for her! Neither she nor the baby can be harmed."

Camilla witnessed Jason's concern for Florence's unborn child. She thought of Danny, and the twins, Danny and Sammy, he hadn't met, sighing deeply. She followed Ludwik out, "Ludwik!"

"Grandma," Ludwik paused, frowning as he turned, "Is there something else?"

"I just want to know, is the child in Florence's womb really yours?" the elderly lady asked with a sigh.

Ludwik had a deep bond and respect for his grandmother. His face stiffened, a stark contrast to his cavalier attitude inside, his voice hoarse, "Grandma, whether it's mine or not, it's a dirty trick. I won't let her have this child! My kids are Danny and Sammy, and the little one Whitney is carrying."

"What?" The old lady's eyes widened in shock, staring at her grandson's grim face, "Whitney is pregnant too? You rascal, you..."

"Whitney has been pregnant for a month now. Once she's showing a bit more, I'll bring her to meet you, introduce her into the Lipperts."

"And Florence..."

"If father insists on protecting her, let her live a little longer. You are compassionate and wouldn't want to see her child harmed, I get it. But what I must protect is the child Whitney is carrying, your true grandchild."

Camilla's worry deepened. She had hoped, despite her dislike for Florence, that for the sake of the child, she could agree to Jason's decision. But now, knowing Whitney was also expecting Ludwik's child, left the matriarch uncertain about what to do.

Ludwik drove away from Brew Hill, his heart pounding uneasily. He sped towards his mother's hospital. Whitney... how was she?

Back in the Lippert guest room. Florence slowly came to, looking green around the gills. Holly carefully helped her up, her face twisted in anger and anxiety, "Florence, have we really been scheming all this time for nothing? I never thought Ludwik could be so ruthless. To think, he's willing to ditch the entire Lippert Empire, just to threaten Jason and call off the wedding with you. And now, with you carrying his child, what on Earth are we supposed to do? Are we really going to sit back and watch Ludwik marry that snake, Whitney? Would all our plans have been for nothing?"

Pet

Florence crumpled the bedsheets in her fists, a cold laugh escaping her, "Mom, calm down. Ludwik's burning his bridges, giving up everything just to spite me. But no matter how dire things seem, Jason's still in my corner. He wants this grandson of his! So, there's still hope, and of course, I'm keeping the baby. After all, this child is the real deal Ludwik's very own flesh and blood... With the scandal blowing up like this, the Lippert Group's crisis isn't something Ludwik can just smooth over easily. And let's not forget Jarvis, lurking in the shadows, eager for his turn. He wants to marry Whitney, does he? Then I'll start with Whitney... I'll come up with a plan to ensure Whitney can't marry him!"

Florence's brows knotted tightly in thought, What to do? An idea began to form, "Mom, help me up! I need to see Whitney before Ludwik does."

"But what if Ludwik pressures Whitney? He's got the power to do so."

Holly's eyes glinted with a cold light, quickly sending Myra to inform Jason of their departure as she prepared to leave the Lippert mansion with her daughter.

At the Lutz Hotel. Bryce watched the

news, Holly's tear-streaked face

pleading to the cameras. The

headline gripped his attention:

Florence is pregnant with Ludwik's child. Florence is pregnant with Ludwik's child! A sly, cold smile spread across Bryce's face, What a stroke of luck. After a moment of contemplation, he called his assistant, "Get in touch with Florence right away. Tell her I want to meet. I've got a proposal for her!"