Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 132

towering United Realty Corporation building.

The towering edifice of United Realty Corporation stood solemn and imposing against the city skyline.

Whitney announced her arrival at the reception, and Felix came down promptly with a warm smile as

he swiftly ushered her upstairs.

On the grand 50th floor, behind the panoramic floor–to–ceiling glass windows, stood the tall and

austere figure of a man in a sleek black suit that seemed to add depth to his already profound

presence. Positioned among the cubicles, the work did not lend the man his allure; instead, he

enhanced the floor’s radiance with his very being.

Whitney was utterly captivated by his commanding aura; this was her first real glimpse of him at work.

His presence exuded an unmistakable CEO vibe, that innate air of authority seeping from his bones,

making Whitney wonder if he truly was only the head of United Realty Corporation.

As Whitney observed him, Ludwik’s gaze briefly swept over her face, locking onto the name tag pinned

neatly to her chest.

The man’s lips curled into a slight smile, and amid the watchful eyes of the entire staff, he beckoned

her over with a casual wave. “Changed your mind?”

“Mm–hmm.” Whitney’s ears tinged red as she composed herself and walked towards him.

Ludwik took her hand without any hint of secrecy and guided her to stand beside him, tapping lightly on

the desk beside them.

The room fell silent, including the shareholders and executives who had just dispersed from the

morning meeting.

Their gazes were fixed on the imposing man.

Ludwik glanced up, his voice carrying an authoritative chill. “I would like to introduce everyone to

Whitney, the new Vice President of United Realty Corporation. She will be taking over some of my

responsibilities. Please, give her your full cooperation.”

As his words echoed, nobody dared to speak, but their expressions shifted.

Elaine had stepped down just days ago, and now a new female VP was in place. Could this be the

same woman–the temporary Mrs. Lippert–spoken of in hushed rumors?

Whitney promptly introduced herself, feeling the weight of many eyes upon her, some clearly

unfriendly. Recalling their faces from the hospital report with Elaine, she recognized Castor among

those who looked at her strangely.

“That’ll be all,” Ludwik commanded with a stern chill, gesturing dismissively, “Felix, please show the

Vice President to her office.”

Following Felix to her new office, freshly appointed and equipped, he handed her some transition

documents and introduced her to her new assistant. “Ms. Whitney, this is your secretary, Harper.”

Harper nodded a greeting.

Soon after, the office door swung open, and a tall man strode in, his overcoat draped over his arm,

indicating he was about to leave.

Beneath a mask of silver, his features were sharp and intense. He looked at the tiny woman by the

desk, dressed professionally, with a casual and serious gaze, making Whitney slightly overwhelmed.

“Something you need, Mr. CEO?” Suddenly finding themselves in a superior–subordinate relationship,

Whitney felt an awkward tension.

His piercing gaze made her cheeks warm. “Your first day, make sure to hold down the fort. The recent

issues at Skye Gem, delegate them to the executives there.”

Whitney nodded, having almost forgotten the morning meeting at Skye Gem. It had been stable lately,

which was also why she had agreed to assist L at United Realty Corporation.

“Can you handle both companies, businesswoman?” He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer, towering

over her, “Skye Gem is a small fish. You might as well sell it and focus on helping me.”

Whitney noted Felix and Harper had discreetly left, closing the door behind them.

She retorted, annoyance tinged with pride, “Skye Gem is my grandfather’s legacy. I can’t sell it. My

grandfather was a renowned businessman, Faulkner Tennyson. Ever heard of him, L?”

“Faulkner?” Ludwik’s expression shifted subtly.

Her interest piqued. “You knew my grandfather?”

His gaze darkened, hiding a complexity as he denied, “No.”

Something about his look seemed off to Whitney. She pushed the thought aside, continuing with a

smile. “My grandfather was Faulkner, my uncle is Keegan Tennyson, and my was Parisa Tennyson…”

mother

Her cheer faded into a somber chill, her eyes slowly misting, “Unfortunately, my grandfather and

mother passed away early, leaving only my uncle.”

The man watched her closely, his voice dropping low as he comforted, “From now on, you have me.”

Feeling the heat radiating from him, warmth seemed to spread through her, dissipating the internal

chill.

She nodded firmly and glanced at his overcoat. “Are you heading out?”

“United Realty Corporation is just one of my ventures. Your husband is a busy man; I have to

leave on a short business trip.” He glanced at his watch.

Just one of his ventures? Whitney knew her suspicions had been correct; could he be a business

tycoon?

Stunned by the thought, Whitney watched him approach and lower his head to kiss her.

“Mm, you should get going, L…” Her face flushed. She glanced around and pushed him lightly, grateful

for the solid walls.

“Stop moaning; it’s too much for me,” Ludwik said with a husky voice. The office setting only added to

his fervor. Moments later, he reluctantly let her go, squeezing her cheek. “Get familiar with the

company. Harper will assist you, and you call me if needed.”

“Go ahead,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

He turned and strode out, Felix and several assistants falling into step behind him. This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Whitney sat down to cool off, her mind drifting to her grandfather and mother. Their memorial was

approaching at year’s end.

She had been locked in a battle with the Valentine family in the past months. With the Valentines

weakened, Skye Gem reclaimed, and Elaine gone from Banyan City, Whitney could focus on her own

affairs. She needed to contact her uncle before the memorial. The truth

behind her mother and grandfather’s deaths needed uncovering.

Her thoughts went to Simon’s possession of her grandfather’s contact book.

Her gaze sharpened; it was time to settle the score with Simon. She dialed the top brass at Skye Gem,

“Liquidate Simon’s performance shares at the company.”

If she wanted to corner him, she would have to get crafty.

Whitney furrowed her brows when her assistant, Harper, knocked and entered, carrying a hefty stack of

documents. “Ms. Whitney, here’s the info on the execs from United Realty Corporation that you

requested, plus the latest on the five–star hotel chain project.”

Whitney nodded, quickly flipping through the papers. “Are the execs in the conference room yet? I’ve

just taken the helm, and we’re due for a meet–and–greet.”

Harper hesitated, her expression changing subtly. “Well, I informed them, but they did not show up. It

might be because Castor did not give the nod.”

Whitney paused. Barely had she stepped into the role, and already, these people were defying her.

After all, she got this position out of nowhere, so she was not surprised. Her eyes narrowed as she

focused on Castor’s file. “Is he the highest in the management after the VP?”

“Yes, Castor boosted United Realty’s profits by 5% last year. He’s highly respected and has a lot of

clout.”

Whitney remembered Castor, a cold smile creeping onto her lips. She was looking for exactly

these remnants of Elaine’s influence.

“Get Castor to come to me. I want to see him.”

Harper left to fetch Castor.

But a few minutes later, she returned disheartened. “Whitney, Castor sends his apologies, saying he’s

tied up in a meeting. Maybe you should call the president?”

Castor was undermining Whitney in the shadows while openly citing another engagement.

Running to L over this would only prove her lack of leadership.

Whitney realized she had to get through this on her own. She leaned back in her chair, checked the

time, and then stood up with a smile. “No rush. Let’s go have lunch.”

“The company’s cafeteria is on the 26th floor.” Harper stepped into the elevator, filling Whitney in.

Impressive for the top real estate firm’s cafeteria, Whitney thought. Just as she was about to enter a

dining booth, someone approached.

Castor raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, “Whitney, here for lunch, too? Sorry, but this booth used to be

Elaine’s exclusive spot!”