Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 284

The change was rapid, almost dizzying. Just this morning, the shareholders had cornered Whitney in the storeroom, a place that smelled strongly of dust and forgotten files.

"Why would the shareholders dump their stocks like that? No company under Banyan City operates without my say. Who would dare to buy them out?" Whitney was baffled.

Felix had dug into the matter, and the truth wasn't hidden from him.

"It's the Royal Jewelry Company that acquired them. The word on the street was that you were blacklisting shareholders. In a panic, they sold at rock-bottom prices, making Royal Jewelry the big winner," Felix explained.

Ludwik's gaze shifted. "Royal Jewelry Company?"

"Yes."

Elaine's expression subtly changed. "The Royal Jewelry Company? Why would such a prestigious firm bother with a small fish like Skye Gem Ltd.? The shareholders must've been duped!"

Felix looked at Elaine intently. "You might not be aware, Elaine, but Royal Jewelry stepped in because Whitney once served as their Head of Design. Meaning—the person behind this acquisition is none other than Ms. Valentine herself!"

Ludwik's face darkened.

And Elaine, upon piecing everything together, her eyes shadowed with gloom.

"That's impossible. How could she ever become the Head of Design at Royal Jewelry?!"

Trying to contain her screaming jealousy, Elaine forced a smile. "Felix, she's still trapped by the shareholders. Are you sure you got your facts right?"

"People might be locked up, but those shareholders are about to regret their decisions," Felix reported truthfully. "As soon as Skye Gem's shares were secured, Ms. Valentine immediately transferred eight billion to Mr. Rufus. With Royal Jewelry's acquisition, Skye Gem Ltd.'s stocks hit the ceiling in thirty minutes, even before officially relaunching. It's expected to soar to eighty billion in market value."

Eighty billion was petty change for Ludwik.

But Skye Gem was only worth thirty billion three years ago—a company practically run to the ground.

Elaine intended to seize it to humiliate Whitney. She instigated the shareholders to corner Whitney, spreading rumors about Ludwik blacklisting them, but it backfired spectacularly.

Or perhaps, Whitney had anticipated this very outcome!

Despite Ludwik's brewing rage, Felix added, "Ms. Valentine spent eight billion to gain a new company worth eighty billion."

Hearing the low price, Elaine felt like choking. Those old shareholders held at least 40% of Skye Gem Ltd.!

They practically gifted it to Whitney.

This woman, Elaine wanted her downfall, but Whitney turned the tables.

Ludwik's cold gaze was hard to read, a mix of anger and an imperceptible admiration.

This woman was different. Her tactics might not be noble, but they were effective in the business world.

She mercilessly outplayed those old shareholders, securing Skye Gem Ltd. for herself.

No wonder she was so confident earlier, refusing to seek Ludwik's help. It was all a master plan.

He and Elaine were merely pawns in her game.

A mixture of fury and unacknowledged respect washed over Ludwik. Damn, he actually admired her cunning.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice Elaine's watchful gaze.

This woman was becoming increasingly hard to deal with, Elaine realized she needed to act fast. She had to seduce Ludwik before he got distracted again!

Clutching her fists, Elaine's face was a storm of dark thoughts.

---

By evening, back in the storeroom.

Mr. Percy and Mr. Liam returned, their spirits high from a successful outing, only to find themselves back in the gloomy storeroom.

"Who would've thought someone actually wanted those doomed shares?"

"The price was a steal, though."

"Mr. Liam, we're lucky to get anything for them at all," Mr. Percy remarked. "Otherwise, we'd be stuck with frozen assets and debts in the billions!"