Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_6
Simon raised his palm, and Whitney’s icy glare cut through him like a blade. She stood there, unmoving, the depth of her fury palpable.
His betrayal still tore at her heart, cold and sharp, like a dagger driven deep into her chest.
Eight years. Eight years of tenderness and promises, of him claiming to be the bastard of the Perlman family, a man who placed the highest value on family. He’d once spoken of having a whole brood of children with her. And now? Now, he had discarded her for Monica, the very sister she had loved.
Whitney clenched her fists, rage building inside her like a firestorm. “We’ll see what kind of spawn you two produce. Hell’s got a special place for you both!” With those venomous words, she wrenched her hand away and stormed off, her heart heavy but resolute.
Simon frowned and, despite himself, began to follow her retreating figure. His gaze lingered, his steps almost instinctive, but Monica’s darkened expression snapped him back to reality.
“Damn it,” Monica thought, her mind racing. “I can’t let that wench take back the company or lure Simon in again.”
Outside, the towering skyscraper of Skye Gem Ltd loomed, casting a shadow over the scene. Tiana spotted Whitney emerging, her demeanor as cold and composed as ever. She quickly approached. “How did it go? Did any shareholders back you up?”
Whitney shook her head, her face hard. “Business folks chase profit; no one’s dumb enough to cross the Valentines right now. But I did sabotage Simon’s deal today and goaded Monica into making a bet.”
Tiana’s eyebrows shot up. “Nice! What’s the bet?”
“A provincial jewelry contest next month. If I win, I take over as General Manager.”
Tiana’s grin widened. “No way! You really struck a nerve. Simon and Monica, those two must be rattled!”
Whitney’s smile was tight. “I don’t know if they’re rattled, but the shareholders at Skye Gem sure don’t believe in me. They’re all backing Monica, mocking me openly.”
Tiana clenched her teeth, her expression shifting to one of determination. “They have no clue about your skills, do they? We’ve got to win this! The regional contest starts in October, hosted by Imperial Gem Corporation. The top judges…”
She trailed off as a thought struck her, and Whitney’s face darkened with anger.
“What did you just say? Which jewelry company?” Whitney demanded, her voice sharp.
Tiana hesitated for a moment, then muttered, “The jewelry monarch, your arch-nemesis—Imperial Gem Corporation. They’re running the show.”
The silence that followed was heavy with tension. Whitney’s eyes smoldered with fury.
“Isn’t Imperial Gem Corporation’s CEO the same guy who emailed you mocking your breasts?”
Whitney’s voice was low and dangerous as she recalled the email. “And I cursed him with a hidden ailment.”
Tiana raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. “That evens it out, right? Imperial Gem’s the industry leader, but the boss is a mystery. Rumor has it he’s from the Lippert family, the third son or something. And now you’re up against him, head-to-head with his firm.”
Whitney’s face hardened as memories flooded back. “You don’t get it. Our families have a history. A Lippert stole my grandfather’s deal. And every bid Skye Gem made, Imperial Gem tried to snatch it away. A few years back, I lost a huge contract to them in a neighboring state because I stopped to help some guy with hysteria. I’ll never forget that.”
Tiana rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “Whatever,” she muttered, watching Whitney rant. “But we can’t let Monica win this contest. We need to get cozy with Mr. Lippert. He’s the judge!”
Tiana’s fingers danced over her computer keyboard, quickly accessing the necessary information. “Look, Mr. Lippert has a business appointment at the Southern Elegance Club tomorrow at 3 PM.”
Whitney looked surprised but didn’t hesitate. “Send me the address.”
Tiana’s grin widened, mischief dancing in her eyes. “You’re going to suck up to your mortal enemy?”
Whitney shot her a glare. “Mind your own business.”
The following day, Whitney arrived at the Southern Elegance Club, her mind prepared for whatever it took to secure a win. She approached the club’s entrance, only to be stopped by a security guard. “Ms. Valentine, do you have an appointment?”
This had once been a place she could enter with ease, but now, with her accounts frozen and her resources drained, she was about to be turned away.
“What’s going on here? Let her be!” A voice suddenly called out, cutting through the tension.
Whitney turned in surprise, her eyes locking with a man who stood confidently, a playful gleam in his eyes. He was tall, with striking phoenix eyes and a rakish charm.
“Isn’t that Whitney?” the man thought, intrigued by the woman before him.
He approached her with a warm smile, though there was curiosity in his gaze. “Ms. Valentine, I own this club. Who are you looking for?”
Whitney assessed him quickly—a man of leisure, seemingly harmless. “I’m here to see Mr. Lippert of Imperial Gem Corporation. I hear he’s here today. Could I trouble you to introduce me?”
The man’s amusement was evident as he raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t the boss of Imperial Gem Corporation Ludwik?”
He chuckled, his voice teasing. “Oh, you want to see him? But Mr. Lippert isn’t someone you can just meet.”
Whitney, feeling a glimmer of hope, pressed on. “What will it take?”
The man glanced at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You’ll have to cater to his tastes. Go change into something appropriate first.”
Without hesitation, Whitney followed the manager into the changing room, only to emerge in a skimpy white blouse with a plunging neckline and a pleated skirt—an outfit that made her fume with frustration. She stared at herself in the mirror, wondering just what this man was planning.
But the man, unperturbed, pointed toward a door. “He’s in room 2022, just ahead.”
Reluctantly, Whitney followed, her anger barely contained. She stepped into the room, but before she could process what was happening, the man glanced at the empty bed, smirking as he pushed her toward the bathroom. “Wait here, and I guarantee you’ll meet him!”
With that, he swiftly exited and locked the door behind him. Whitney’s head spun. “Hey, why are you locking the door?” She felt her defenses rise, a sense of unease flooding her senses.
Outside the room, another man’s voice rang out. “Nolan, what are you sneaking around for, dude? You know Ludwik’s been struggling with insomnia like crazy. If you mess with him now, you’re asking for a world of hurt.”
Nolan chuckled, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. “Isn’t Ludwik just married, bro? I snuck in a killer wedding gift! A freshly woken man seeing that—he’s gonna lose his mind! Heh heh.”
Back inside the room, Whitney surveyed the luxurious bedroom, feeling more out of place than ever. Just as she was contemplating an escape, the bathroom door swung open.
She lurched forward instinctively, crashing into what felt like a wall of muscle.
“Oof!”
The man’s arms wrapped around her waist to steady her, and as Whitney looked up, her breath caught in her throat.
Before her stood a vision of perfection—a man fresh from the shower, towering over her at nearly six-foot-two. His features were exquisite, defined with deep-set eyes, a high-bridged nose, and thin lips. He was a total knockout, far surpassing any of the high-class men Whitney had encountered in her life.
Her heart skipped a beat.
And as he looked at her, he subconsciously touched his face, his sharp eyes narrowing with sudden recognition.
