Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 666

Ludwik made his way back to the hospital bed,

Jason was still in a daze, his gaze heavy and unfocused, seemingly unaware of the police's words at the door.

Ludwik was worried; his dad's condition was dire. What kind of blow had brought him to his knees like this?

But he had no time to dwell on it,

"Dad!" Ludwik leaned in, his voice low and urgent, "I know you've just woken up, but the Lippert family has no one else to turn to.

Times are tough, and the cops are on my tail, forcing me to lay low for a few days.

Listen carefully, there are a bunch of companies out there looking to swallow up the Lippert legacy, especially those backed by the Patrick Group, like the Lane Group.

Once I'm in the police station, I bet the Lane Group will join forces with other corporations to attack the Lippert family!

You need to sell off those unprofitable businesses - the insurance sectors, hotels, and semi-smart tech firms.

The Lippert Resort too, get it off our hands fast. Pool whatever funds you can into our remaining assets in finance and real estate.

For real estate, maybe have a word with Shane.”

Ludwik remembered how Ashton had bailed him out last time, with Shane pulling strings in the background.

This heir to the Nelson family might just be the Lippert family's last shot.

"Sell the estate?" Jason’s eyes, clouded with grief, widened in disbelief. Had the Lippert family really fallen this far while he was out?

Yes, it was all because he chose the wrong partner, a venomous snake, even mistaking an enemy for a friend, allowing Wade and Thea to conspire against them for years.

Why hadn’t he just died in his bed?

He suddenly felt powerless at the thought of the Lippert family facing this ordeal.

"We have to sell everything, it's the only way to preserve the last bit of what the Lippert family stands for!”

"Dad." Perhaps sensing Jason's despair and anger, Ludwik gritted his teeth and said, "I don’t know what you’re mourning over.

But now's not the time to give in. The Lippert empire was built by your own hands, you were once untouchable.

Are you really going to let Wade tear away at the foundation of the Lippert family without doing anything?

They conspired with Jarvis to bleed the Lippert family dry! Are you going to let that be the end of it?

Think about Grandma, she’s getting on in years. Do you want her to see the Lippert family crumble before she passes?”

Jason was jolted to his core.

Ludwik couldn't stay any longer; the police were coming to take him away.

Leaving behind a heavy silence, Jason sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.

Gradually, his weathered hands crumpled the pillow, throwing it to the ground in frustration, his eyes reddening with every breath.

His son was right; as long as he lived, he couldn't let Wade dishonor him.

Jason's hatred was palpable.

Since he was alive and awake, he couldn't continue to wallow in despair. That would only play into Wade's hands.

The century-old Lippert legacy couldn’t be destroyed on his watch. He wasn't done yet; he still had fight left in him…

Jason stared coldly at the divorce papers on the table, as if each word mocked him for being a fool for so long.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, his eyes flashed with fury as he answered.

Thea's voice came through quickly, icy cold, “You're tough to kill, huh.

Jason, since you didn't die from this shock, let's hurry up and get divorced.

I don’t want to be saddled with the Lippert family’s debts.

I've waited years to rightfully become Jarvis's mother. Don't you dare delay, or Wade will make you pay.”

"You… cough cough…” Jason coughed too hard to speak, hanging up the phone with a slam.

"Chairman!" Felix rushed over, pressing down on him with a worried look.

After more than ten minutes of silence, Jason’s eyes, once dark, cleared up, his gaze sharp as a blade. He spoke slowly, "Felix, call Riley over immediately, sell off all of the Lippert family’s subsidiaries, see how much funds we can free up.

The Lippert Resort… get an auction house on it.”

He seemed aged, but his eyes sparkled with the former glory of Jason.

Felix's eyes lit up, "Alright, I’ll get on it right away.

With Mr. Lippert detained, we don’t know when he’ll be released, but with you here, I believe the Lippert family won’t disappear from Harmonia Country.”

Jason's heart ached; he had fallen so low he couldn't even look after his own son, leaving him to fend for himself.

-

Outside the hospital, Ashton hurried through the night.

"Felix, how could Barclay suddenly show up in Emperor City to rat out Ludwik?”

"I can't figure it out either.”

Felix frowned deeply, "Ashton, can you get in touch with the old man from the Doonan family?”

Ashton shook his head, troubled, "When we used to hang out with Parker, he hardly ever spoke of his family.

All we knew was the Doonan family was one of the top names in the underworld, shrouded in mystery.

I'll have to go back to Banyan City to ask the Doonan family directly what their intentions are.”

"It might be too late by then. Who knows what state Mr. Lippert will be in after the police interrogation.”

Ashton squinted with a frosty gaze, "Parker once said, Barclay's just a scarecrow in a windstorm.

He wouldn't have the guts to call the cops on his own.

There's probably someone pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Mr. Lippert was suspicious right off the bat. He grilled Barclay, but the guy was defiant, even boasting to the police that Parker's mom had relatives in high places, even connections to the White House. The cops wouldn't dare slack off. And now, with Mr. Lippert's fall from grace, they nabbed him in no time."

"This whole mess reeks of Jarvis or the Patrick clan's involvement."

Ashton cursed under his breath and tossed his cigarette butt aside.

Felix was at his wit's end, "The infuriating part is, Justin did shoot Parker. Justin's lost it. And with Barclay clinging to that fact like a dog with a bone, Mr. Lippert's left holding the bag."

"Let's focus on getting bail first."

-

Meanwhile, Jarvis twirled his cigar, watching Ludwik being taken to the detention center.

He smirked, squinting as he dialed a number.

"Hey, Jarvis."

"Bryce, heard your wife's refusing to press kidnapping charges against Ludwik. What, still carrying a torch for him?

Well, I did you a favor and had him 'invited' to the detention center. He'll be cooling his heels there for a while. Fancy getting your revenge?"

In the shadowy patio, Bryce listened to Jarvis's words.

A deep whirlpool swirled in his eyes, a smile creeping over his lips, "Jarvis, you're a true friend. Thanks a lot."

After hanging up, Bryce narrowed his eyes menacingly.

He got the hint. Jarvis was using him as a pawn. But with Ludwik in this predicament, he couldn't let this opportunity slip. His eyes darkened with malice, letting out a cold chuckle.

-

The next morning.

Whitney took Sammy to Sheldon Group's hospital for a neurology checkup.

However, the little guy insisted she wait outside the examination room.

An hour later, Sammy emerged with a look of scheming, "Mommy, I'm all done."

Whitney immediately asked the neurologist, "Doctor, is there any damage to my son's brain?"

Sammy shot a 'warning' glance at the neurologist—