Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Bryce was fuming, "You're telling me this now? This whole mess has put me in a tight spot!"

His secretary, visibly shaken and nursing a slapped cheek, mumbled an apology, "Mr. Lutz, I was trying to keep it under wraps, especially after that drunk incident the other day. I didn't want the cops sniffing around."

"Shut it!"

Bryce's eyes darted across the news on his phone, his expression darkening with each headline about the Inko Group's sudden downfall. "What in the world is happening with Inko Group? And this internal strife, how did it come about?"

The secretary, at a loss for words, recounted the recent developments, "Well, the news broke that Phineas ended up in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. That's when hell broke loose at Inko Group.

From what I've gathered, Phineas's nephew, Parker, was at Inko Group first thing in the morning and didn't leave until late at night. By midnight, there were rumors of a mole within the company, selling off core technologies.

The next day, the shareholders started raising hell.

Now, several business partners are threatening to cut ties, and the stock prices have plummeted.

Inko Group's a major player in Emperor City, and its downfall is sending shockwaves through the local economy. The news has even hit international headlines, stirring up rumors of bankruptcy."

"Wait a minute. How does a three-day debacle make international news?" Bryce questioned, his mind racing with theories.

The secretary, scratching his head, was just as confused, "I don't know. It's like, overnight, Inko Group's crisis became the talk of the town. International media are covering the economic situation in Emperor City too..."

"You said Parker visited Inko Group?" Bryce interrupted, his handsome face twisting in anger.

"Yes, Mr. Lutz. It seems Mrs. Wilson handed over the reins to Parker, hoping he could help steady the ship."

Silence fell as Bryce processed the information, his anger building. Suddenly, he punched the car window, a cold laugh escaping him, "Parker, always Ludwik's lapdog.

This mess at Inko Group... it's too convenient. With Phineas out of the picture, and now this? There's a puppet master pulling the strings... and it's that damn Ludwik!"

"...Ludwik?" Florence sounded puzzled over the phone, struggling to keep up.noveldrama

Bryce's patience was wearing thin, "No major corporation crumbles overnight without a push from behind the scenes. This isn't coincidence; it's Ludwik's handiwork!"

The more Bryce thought about it, the more convinced he became. "He's always been a snake. Florence, you mentioned he's been suspicious of us, knowing we have a stake in Inko Group. He's trying to beat us to the punch!

He's essentially setting a trap, hoping to draw Parisa into the open. If Parisa heads back to Emperor City, our plans will be screwed. Ludwik, Whitney, Keegan... they're all waiting for her."

Florence finally caught on, "So, you think Ludwik orchestrated this whole crisis, making it look like Inko Group is falling apart just to lure Parisa back?" "Exactly! It's all a show for Parisa's benefit!"

Bryce was seething, "The audacity of that man! We can't let Parisa fall into his trap. If she goes back now, it'll blow our cover. She needs to stay put, away from the storm brewing in Emperor City."

Panicked and at her wit's end, Florence knew they were relying on Bryce to keep things steady from within.

"Cursed Ludwik," Bryce cursed under his breath, "Did Parisa mention she's determined to return?"

"I've asked her repeatedly, and she's adamant about going back to sort out Inko Group's mess. She has no clue Ludwik's playing puppet master. Even after your explanation, I doubt she'll believe me."

Their conversation echoed the urgency and the cunning plays at work, underscoring a high-stakes game of chess unfolding in the shadows of corporate power and deception.

"It's only going to make me look

more suspicious if I keep pushing back. This is a tough spot," Bryce muttered, his brows furrowed in

frustration. He couldn't help but

blame Florence for not making enough headway. Despite all these days, she hadn't managed to introduce him to Parisa, to earn her trust and shine in her eyes.

Now that Parisa insisted on returning to Harmonia Country, it seemed they were powerless to stop her.

He closed his eyes, deep in thought, his fingers pressing gently against the corners of his eyelids. Slowly, a sharp glint emerged in his gaze. Staring at the news about Inko Group on his phone, a sly, cold smirk played on his lips. "Ludwik thinks he can play dirty, huh? Doesn't he know I can play that game too?

If he thinks this is fun, let's see who has the last laugh."

Florence shivered at his chilling chuckle. Had he already devised a plan?

She was fraught with worry. "Mr.

Lutz, we're in a tight spot. Just Parisa showing her face in Harmonia Country is a ticking time bomb! Everyone from Inko Group will see her first. Word spreads like wildfire, and with her striking resemblance to Whitney, it's only a matter of time before it gets out. Ludwik, with his ties to Inko Group, is bound to be around often. He could spot her in no time...”

Bryce's strategy shifted in his mind, akin to a chess player contemplating a crucial move. He realized that if they were to protect Parisa and outmaneuver Ludwik, they'd have to blend the subtlety of a magician with the cunning of a fox. Harmonia Country was about to become a stage for a high-stakes game of shadows, and Bryce was determined to ensure that they, not Ludwik, would be the puppet masters controlling the strings.