Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )

The Lippert family's hospital was bustling as usual, but Ludwik's stride towards his mother's room carried an urgency that cut through the everyday hum. He scanned the room, his heart sinking when he found no trace of Whitney. Natalie, fully awake and in good spirits with her grandson Danny by her side, lifted her head slightly. "Ludwik, what brings you back so soon?" she asked, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Ludwik's gaze briefly touched his son before returning to his mother, his voice rough with concern. "Mom, where's Whitney?"

"Oh, she was here just an hour ago," Natalie replied.

Danny piped up, "Mom said she wasn't feeling well and needed to head home for a bit."

Ludwik's heart plummeted. Whitney's absence wasn't due to illness. The news of Florence's pregnancy must have reached her... She must be devastated, he thought, to leave Danny and vanish without a word.

Turning to Danny, Ludwik fought to keep his voice steady. "Stay here with grandma, alright? The nurses will look after you. Daddy needs to find your mommy."

Danny waved a small hand as Ludwik hurried out, the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Ludwik arrived at Delight Mansion to find it ominously quiet. The door was closed, the only sign of life the faint glow of the porch light against the gloomy sky. Whitney wasn't home; she hadn't come back at all.

After scanning the house and finding no sign of Whitney or Tiana, Ludwik's worst fears seemed confirmed. Whitney was avoiding him, disappearing on purpose.

Frantic and hollow with panic, Ludwik knew he was out of options. She was gone, and he hadn't even had the chance to explain.

He lingered on the doorstep, dialing her number again and again to no avail, before finally shouting towards the house in a desperate plea, "Whitney! Whitney, please, don't hide from me! I'm begging you, just talk to me. Even if you want to yell, just... Whitney!" But the silence that followed his cries was as good as a response.

Back at Lippert Group's

headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Jarvis lounged in his office, a cold smirk on his face as he watched the chaos unfold on the screens before him. The stock was plummeting, shareholders were in panic, and Ludwik, the heir to it all, was caught in a personal scandal

that threatened to ruin everything.

"The hero caught by love," Jarvis mused, raising a glass to the unfolding drama. "If Whitney refuses him, Ludwik's reputation is done for. And with that, the Lippert Group might just fall into our hands."

Elsewhere, Florence met in secret

with Bryce Lutz, a potential ally from Banyan City Despite their brief past interaction, Florence's current predicament made her a valuable piece in Bryce's larger game. е

Ludwik's missteps and net

deviousness were creating the perfect storm, and Bryce intended to use it to his advantage.

Bryce's eyes narrowed, a sly gleam in them. "Florence, seeking you out, well, it's because I'm interested in a little collaboration."

"Oh? And what sort of collaboration are you proposing, Mr. Lutz?"

"Our goals align quite nicely, I believe. You're a sharp one, Ms. Sheldon, no need for me to spell it out. You're after Ludwik, while I've got my sights set on Whitney, correct?"

Florence scoffed, "And what makes you think, Mr. Lutz, that a mere tycoon from Banyan City has the clout to align with me?"

"I don't need clout. Not when your

current predicament is quite... precarious. You're carrying Ludwik's child, and before you could even bask in the joy of it, Ludwik

in the press-a mere transaction to save his mother's reputation! He's got his heart set on marrying Whitney. So, Ms. Sheldon, what's your move?"

announces his engagement tool net°

Florence's smile faded.

"You're here because you don't want him to end up with Whitney, are you?" she mused.

Bryce nodded, "Ms. Sheldon, you're not one to back down easily. Marrying Ludwik, that's your goal, isn't it? You've probably already thought of ways to stop their wedding. I'm offering my assistance and hoping you'll do the same for me. I've got a plan. Interested in hearing it?" Florence took a sip of her water, setting the glass down before leaning in slightly, "Go on."