Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 455

Bryce narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "Who exactly are you?"

"A person who can help you. Do you desire to join the Sheldon family and win over Whitney? Do you wish to topple Ludwik and see him fall from his pedestal in Emperor City? Just follow my lead, and all of this can be yours." "What do you want in return?"

Bryce felt an unfamiliar chill run down his spine, sensing that the stranger knew too much. This voice was completely foreign to him; he was certain he didn't know this person. "You don't need to worry about that. Just give me an answer."

Clutching his phone tighter, a shadow of determination crossed Bryce's face. He was resolved to climb to the top in Emperor City, to make Ludwik taste the bitterness of defeat!

"I'm in," Bryce said, his voice filled with fierce ambition.

---

At 2 PM sharp.

Whitney arrived at the S-T Group, a subsidiary of the Sheldon Group, as per the joining instructions given by Hudson. The company was located within a skyscraper owned by the Lippert Group, occupying just three floors. Whitney recalled hearing from Hugh that the S-T Group was under the partial control of the Lippert family....

She didn't dwell on it.

The company specialized in high-end jewelry, luxury leather goods, and designer fragrances, albeit not very large in scale.

After completing her HR formalities, Whitney ran into a familiar face.

Sandy, the girl she had dinner with at the Sheldon family's gathering, greeted her warmly, her professional badge pinned neatly on her blouse. Her short hair and sharp features contrasted starkly with Sienna's haughty jealousy.

"Hi, Whitney, I'm Sandy," she offered her hand with a friendly smile.

Whitney returned the smile, "Nice to meet you. Are you Sienna's sister?"

"Half-sister, technically. The legacy of my father's wild days before he married into the family," Sandy said with a hint of self-mockery.

Whitney understood why Sandy seemed out of place at the Sheldon family dinner, almost invisible, scraping by in the shadow of her father.

"You work here?"

"Yeah, just a sales associate," Sandy chuckled ruefully, shifting uneasily, "Let me introduce you to the team."

As they walked to the office area, Whitney noticed her own badge designated her as the sales deputy manager.

It seemed her father had placed her directly into a managerial position, a stark contrast to the internship Jared had mentioned.

"Quiet down, everyone. This is our new deputy manager of sales, Whitney, also the heiress of the Sheldon family," Sandy announced with a bit of flair.

The initially indifferent glances from her colleagues turned into stares of curiosity and appraisal.

Whitney glanced at Sandy, then introduced herself to the team, encouraging them to get back to their tasks.

After visiting her small office, Whitney overheard Sandy in the break room, praising her approachability and beauty, seemingly laying the groundwork for Whitney's smooth transition into the company.

"She's Jared's recently acknowledged daughter?" a colleague inquired.

"Absolutely. She holds 10% of the Sheldon Group's shares. Jared values her highly. We'd do well to get on her good side," Sandy informed, taking a sip of her drink.

The team was visibly impressed, "10% of Sheldon Group shares! I heard even Ms. Sheldon doesn't have that much. We definitely need to respect her!" Whitney paused for a moment, then invited Sandy into her office.

"Sandy, why are you spreading word about my shares and speaking well of me? Are you paving the way for my work here or should I be wary of you?"

Sandy looked earnest, "Whitney, I'm on your side. I saw through you at dinner; you're not simple. Your way of handling Florence and Sienna, I admire that. Florence and Sienna have made my life miserable since we were kids. I don't suck up to Florence like Sienna does, which makes me an outcast in the Sheldon family, a beggar at their table! You don't know how dark Florence can be. Sienna is just her pawn. My life's been tough. I do have my own agenda, but I mean no harm to you. I just want to support you in your fight against Florence!"

It was an offer of alliance, hence Sandy's efforts to pave Whitney's way in the company.

Whitney didn't need an ally, but Sandy's insights into Florence piqued her interest. She decided to keep Sandy close.

"Alright, if there's anything I can do to help you, I will," Whitney said openly.

"Thank you, Whitney!" Sandy's smile broke through her usually resilient facade.

She was prettier and more spirited than Sienna, clearly someone who had fought her way up, unlike Sienna who relied on Florence's influence to lead a glamorous life.

There was something relatable between Whitney and Sandy.

"Whitney, Hudson has set a sales target for you. Meeting it will ensure you pass the probation period. I know you won't stay at S-T Group for long. Once you move up to the Sheldon Group headquarters, things will get easier," Sandy handed her a sales strategy, showing her commitment to Whitney's success.

Whitney felt a soft warmth in her heart; her dad knew she ran a jewelry business and had asked her to sell some pieces.

This wasn't a challenge for her.

She spent the afternoon getting to know the company better, ready to start her new job tomorrow.

When Tiana heard she was appointed the sales deputy manager, she scoffed, "Really taking the long road for a bit of espionage, aren't you? Just to get a firm foothold in the Sheldon Group and dig up dirt on your stepmom, you went from CEO to wage earner?" "It's not about the job; you said it yourself, I have a goal," Whitney replied with a smile. "By the way, did you deliver the medicine to Natalie's hospital for me?"

"You're too kind-hearted, caring for Ludwik's mom like that. I delivered the herbal medicine for her heart and lungs, but Dr. Ford insists on checking everything. What, does he think you're trying to poison her?"

Whitney felt a pang of bitterness. She couldn't let go of her feelings for Natalie, despite the hurt she had caused.

"It's okay, patients need to be careful with their medication. I just wonder how she's doing now?"

"Not great, from what I've seen. Natalie's been having nosebleeds, looked really out of it when I visited..."

Whitney sighed inwardly. It was just organ failure; why was her condition worsening?

----

The next morning, after ensuring Danny was well looked after, Whitney headed off to work. Today, the executives from the Lippert family's holdings were scheduled for an inspection at the S-T Group.

As soon as Mommy left, Danny dashed out of the hotel. He had arranged for a car from the Lippert family, which quickly took him to Brew Hill - the Lippert Resort, where his great-grandmother was.

Camilla had just finished breakfast and was pleasantly surprised to see her great-grandson, "Danny, I didn't expect you to be so eager to see your great-grandma again!"

Danny dropped his cool demeanor and snuggled into his great-grandma's arms briefly.

Then, squinting, he revealed his true intention, "Great-grandma, I've explored all of the Lippert Resort, and it's getting boring. Could you take me to see my daddy's girlfriend's place? I heard the Sheldon family lives halfway up Brew Hill." "Hmm? Why do you want to visit Ms. Sheldon's house?" The old lady sensed a plot brewing.

Of course, Danny thought, how could he confront Florence without visiting the Sheldon family? He needed to find out if Florence had ever met Sammy!

He could have contacted his grandfather to visit the Sheldon family directly, but with Camilla by his side, the Sheldons wouldn't dare touch him!

Danny was plotting his next move, aiming to scout out the Sheldon family first.

---

Ludwik got up, dressed in a sharp suit, and reviewed the day's schedule handed to him by Felix: a morning meeting with the Lippert Group, assessing various subsidiaries, holding companies...

Suddenly, his phone rang. He frowned and picked up.

Parker said urgently, "Ludwik, you need to come to the abandoned car lot. I found that black car involved in Sammy's kidnapping! Remember, I told you someone else was looking into this car? I've spotted him!" Ludwik's eyes narrowed, a spark of energy igniting within him.