Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 336

"...Not really, it's kind of awkward."

Jason's lips tightened slightly, a hint of evasion in his gaze as he summoned his aide and swiftly exited the room.

Ludwik watched the older man's towering figure disappear, his eyes flickering with emotion.

"Dad, I think Grandpa Joe is way better than my real grandpa. My real grandpa, he's never even looked at me," Daniel complained as he fiddled with the toy Grandpa Joe had sent him.

Ludwik settled back onto the couch, his long legs crossed, and lit a cigarette. Through the haze of smoke, his gaze was as cold as ice. "You don't have a grandpa in Banyan City. He only had Orion as a son."

"Doesn't that make you his son too?" Danny asked innocently.

Ludwik didn't have an answer for that.

His phone rang several times, calls from Elaine, which he ignored with a furrowed brow.

Soon after, Felix's phone rang. He approached, "Mr. Lippert, it's Elaine... The Bartels Group lost the court case today, they're under investigation, and their pharmaceutical plant in Banyan City is getting blasted by netizens. It seems Elaine is..." "If she's expecting me to help the Bartels family out of this mess, to cover up for the media, tell her not to bother calling for the next few days."

Felix, sensing Mr. Lippert's stance towards the Bartels family, nodded and went out to return the call.

Ludwik stood up, his mood turning colder. He picked up his son, aiming to avoid Elaine's potential confrontation by suggesting, "Danny, how about Dad takes you out for dinner? We could stay at the River-View Villa tonight."

"I want to see Mommy!" Daniel's lips curved into a small smile, appreciating his dad's rare agreeable attitude. "I watched today's court case. Mommy was amazing, taking down the bad guys. I want to celebrate with Grandpa George!"

The thought of Whitney and Keegan happily getting into Bryce's car outside the courthouse, looking like a happy family, darkened Ludwik's expression instantly. "No way!"

-

Upon her return from Banyan City Jail, where she had completed the paperwork for her uncle's bail, Whitney received a call from Yael. The young girl, along with Torin, had hurried back from abroad and was already waiting at the apartment. Seeing her father and daughter reunited, tears and emotions ran high. "Dad, I missed you so much! You've lost so much weight. These three years in jail have been so tough on you. Thank goodness cousin Whitney managed to get you out," Yael cried. "Sweetheart, thanks to Whitney's efforts, our family can be together again."

"It was a close call today. Whitney came up with a brilliant strategy at the last minute to corner that sneaky Jaxon," Tiana said indignantly, scrolling through the news. "Look at this, the court case and the news have caused quite a stir. The police arrested Zane on the spot. Even people from Emperor City can't escape the law when they break it. The Bartels family's pharmaceutical plant in Banyan City was a major source of their income. Now their stocks have plummeted, and the plant is blocked by netizens. Whitney, your revenge plan against the Bartels family has started off with a bang!" Keegan, looking bewildered, turned to Whitney. "What revenge plan, Whitney?"

Seeing his confusion, Yael sighed deeply. "Dad, you targeted the wrong enemy for your revenge. It wasn't Ludwik. Our family's real enemy has always been the Bartels family. They were responsible for Grandpa and Aunt's deaths." Keegan was visibly shocked.

At that moment, Torin, who had been mute for years and communicated through sign language, approached and signed furiously at Keegan.

Whitney slowly understood, "Uncle, Torin had warned you long ago. But back then, you were so focused on revenge, on restoring the Tennyson family's glory, that you wouldn't listen. Torin said Grandpa sent you abroad hoping you'd learn the Tennyson family's medical techniques. But you were convinced that Ludwik was the murderer and wanted everything he had."

Blushing with shame, Keegan covered his eyes. "I was so wrong. How many mistakes have I made..."

Torin signed, "The downfall of the Tennyson family was all orchestrated by the Bartels family. Your father was a medical titan in Emperor City. The Bartels kid learned from him and then betrayed him. Even when the Tennyson family fled to Banyan City, the Bartels family wouldn't let up. If only your mother had sought help from your biological father in Emperor City, perhaps our family wouldn't have suffered so much. But your mother, proud and aloof..."

Whitney paused, her heart skipping a beat. This was the first time she'd heard about her true heritage.

"My biological father, he had another family?" Whitney asked, her feelings mixed. "Who is he in Emperor City, do you know?"

"I only know he's from a prominent family in Emperor City. He tried to find you once, but your mother refused."

Whitney fell silent, unsure of what to feel or ask next.

Whitney was at her wit's end, juggling the chaos that life had thrown at her. Between the scheming Elaine, the manipulative Ludwik, and her determination to reclaim her beloved sons, she was stretched thin. But life had a way of throwing curveballs, and as she plotted her next move, a small voice broke through the tension.

"Mommy!" Sammy chimed in, breaking the somber mood, "Uncle George getting out on medical parole is a blessing! Let's not dampen the spirits. You've got the company back, and Uncle George is safe. It's a double celebration, and we're all together again. Shouldn't we throw a big party?"

Sammy was right. Whitney smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her.

Bryce, ever the gentleman, stood at the doorway, not wanting to intrude on the family moment. His presence, however, hadn't gone unnoticed by Keegan, who eyed him appreciatively. "Whitney, is he your boyfriend? He's been quite the knight in shining armor today. He looks like he comes from a good family," Keegan nudged Whitney, curiosity laced in his voice.

With a blush creeping onto her cheeks, Whitney quickly corrected, "Uncle, he's just a friend. He's helped me a lot."

Keegan nodded, understandingly, "It's about time you moved on from Ludwik's shadows..."

Before the conversation could delve deeper into uncomfortable territory, Whitney diverted the topic to lighter matters.

The family's spirits lifted as they decided to leave the apartment for a celebratory dinner.

Meanwhile, Sammy discreetly sent a message to Danny, ensuring he wouldn't be left out of the family reunion.

At the River-View Villa, Danny was lounging in the opulent living room when a notification pinged on his device. Learning about the family gathering, he felt a pang of jealousy and longing.

His father, Ludwik, descended the stairs, loosening his tie, an air of authority about him. "What do you fancy for dinner?" he asked, only for Danny to express his desire to join his mother for dinner instead.

Ludwik's demeanor chilled at the mention of Whitney, his jealousy thinly veiled. Yet, the mention of Bryce being potentially seen as Whitney's new partner spurred him into action.

Moments later, Ludwik, dressed impeccably in a suit, conceded to Danny's wish to see his mother, though his pride would never admit it was Bryce's mention that unsettled him. Father and son set out, an unspoken truce between them, as they headed towards the family gathering, where memories and new beginnings awaited.