Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148 

An extended leave? Was she really about to cut ties with him and walk away from United Realty Corporation? 

Ludwik could not figure out what was going on in this woman’s head. Whitney had been angry because of Elaine for a long enough time, and now she was still giving him the cold shoulder. 

If she would not bend, then fine; he was tired of this, too. He would put down his pride and make the first move. 

“This bid is crucial. South City is a tourist hotspot; I must secure half of its land. You’ll be my secretary for this bid. In three days, you’re coming with me to South City.” 

Ludwik’s decision echoed with finality, leaving no room for debate. 

His piercing gaze froze Whitney in place. Her face turned pale. This was precisely what Keegan wanted. 

She was ready to refuse when she caught Felix’s cautionary glance, hinting at her that the boss was fuming; publicly rejecting him would spell trouble. 

Realizing the eyes on her, Whitney pressed her lips and remained silent. 

“Meeting adjourned! Everyone, get back to your tasks.” 

Ludwik lowered his head, his aura chilling as he started signing documents, closing off any 

chance for further discussion. 

With a heavy heart, Whitney swallowed her words and followed the others out. 

Felix caught up with her, handing over all the details of the hotel project. His voice was soft but persuasive as he said, “Madam, the boss is afraid you might not return from your leave. He’s tying you down with a major project. Please understand his intent and make this bid a 

success.” 

What Felix left unsaid was that Ludwik had tried every trick in the book to end this standoff with Whitney, but this time, because of Elaine, she seemed determined not to turn back. 

Felix thought that perhaps Mr. Lippert thought they might mend their relationship by working closely on this bid. 

Without a word, Whitney looked at the hundred–billion–dollar project weighing down on her, sighing silently. 

If she was set on leaving him and United Realty Corporation, this might be her last post, which he was forcing on her. 

Then, she would do it well. But going together for the bid? That was out of the question. If he did not understand her reasons, so be it. 

When the bidding documents were ready, she would find an excuse not to go. 

00:04 

Whitney buried herself in the vice president’s office with Harper for the next two days, going over the bid details. 

The five–star hotel project had been a year in preparation for Ludwik, involving hundreds of billions in financing. Its success was critical to the United Realty Corporation’s foundation. Failure was simply not allowed. 

Ludwik’s bid was for a massive piece of land in South City, having already smoothed all necessary connections. 

Now, they only needed the nod from Braxton Tarrington. 

Braxton, a venerable figure nearing his eighties, held significant influence. 

Whitney frowned, her time at Skye Gem making her thorough in her considerations. 

She had even looked into Braxton’s health, finding that Braxton had recently undergone surgery for a stroke. He could not sit for long negotiations, especially late at night, and getting upset was out of the question. 

She discovered that six companies were bidding. 

Such a critical decision meant Braxton would meet each bidder. If Ludwik was last, they would have to avoid evening talks. Any health incident would cast shadows over Ludwik. 

She crafted a detailed guideline, placing it on the bid document’s front page. Ludwik would see it upon arrival, learning to time his approach and navigate the talks to secure the land. 

On the day of the bid, Whitney left Tiana’s apartment for United Realty Corporation with the confidential document, planning to bow out due to a health issue. 

But then, her uncle’s call came. However, the voice on the other side was not Keegan’s but his assistant’s, sounding anxious. “Ms. Valentine, Mr. Tennyson is in bad shape; his leg pain is severe, and he’s convulsing. I want to take him to the hospital, but he’s resistant and agitated. He mentioned you have a way, urging me to get you.” 

Her uncle had indeed felt relief from her acupuncture before. 

She glanced at the time; it was still morning, with Ludwik set to leave at three in the afternoon. 

“Calm Uncle down. I’m on my way,” she instructed her driver to detour to Northbound Residences. 

Upon entering her uncle’s home, Whitney found it in disarray, clearly a result of his pain. 

The assistant sighed. “He always reacts like this to phantom limb pain when he’s abroad.” 

Her eyes moistened at the sight of her suffering uncle. 

She quickly retrieved her acupuncture kit and reassured him, “Lie down, relax, and after I ice the area, I’ll start.” 

The assistant offered to hold her bag, but she declined, knowing the bidding document was 

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00:04 

inside. 

Keegan’s gaze landed on the bag and then her face, inquiring about the hotel project. 

She hesitated before lying, “I’m sorry, Uncle. Ludwik didn’t involve me in the project, and I couldn’t win it over.” 

Keegan’s look turned cold, disappointment heavy in his eyes.