After dropping Sammy off, Whitney headed straight to the headquarters of the Sheldon Group.
As she made her way through the halls, the buzz about Ludwik's arrest by the secretary's pool was impossible to miss.
The Lippert family had been monopolizing the headlines in Emperor City lately, much to everyone's curiosity.
With a heavy heart, Whitney entered Hudson's office.
Cody was busy sorting through some documents. He briefed her on the Sheldon Group's operations before switching topics, "Miss, I heard the Lippert family is planning to sell off their insurance, hotels, and semi-smart subsidiaries."
Whitney took off her glasses, acknowledging Cody’s knack for gathering industry insights swiftly.
"It seems like the Lipperts are strapped for cash. Selling off is probably their best move right now."
As Whitney signed off on some documents, curiosity got the better of her, "Who made the decision to sell?"
"Rumor has it, since Ludwik got picked up by the cops, it’s been Jason, battling a stroke, trying to hold the fort. Despite being the top family in Harmonia Country, talents like Ludwik are rare in the Lippert clan. None of Riley’s side can really stand on their own."
Cody, suddenly remembering something, handed over an invitation, "Oh, there's a huge business auction happening in a few days in Emperor City. They're auctioning off the Lippert Resort."
"The Lippert Resort?" Whitney echoed, recalling Tiana mentioning something about this.
Still, the realization hit her hard. She had always seen the Lippert Resort as a more dazzling and robust institution than even the royal palace.
"The Lippert family has truly fallen," Whitney murmured softly.
"There was no other way," Cody sighed, "They desperately need the cash. The Everwood Villa Estate is the crown jewel of Brew Hill, its luxury and grandeur outshining all other estates below the hill. Legend has it that Jason chose that location because of the auspicious 'Purple Qi coming from the east' believed to bless the hilltop. Business folks always look for lucky signs, everyone wanted that estate.
"But I heard the Patrick family has been quietly advising other elites to keep the bidding low, to not exceed the asking price."
Whitney couldn't hide her disdain, "The Patrick family really knows no shame."
Ever since they started targeting the Lipperts, the Patricks never played fair.
Even Whitney knew, Wade and Thea had probably planted Jarvis as a spy within the Lipperts years ago. Such audacity.
"It's out of desperation. But now, except for the Nelson family, it seems everyone else is looking to the Patricks for cues."
Cody shrugged helplessly, "With the invite already here, do you plan to attend? I hear every tycoon in Emperor City will be there."
Whitney had no interest in pandering to the Patricks.
"Why would I go? I can't afford it." She shook her head. Something like the Everwood Villa Estate would start bidding in the billions.
Pushing aside her mixed feelings, she concluded, the Lippert family's fate was none of her business anymore.
"Back to work."
Cody chuckled, spreading out more documents for her, "Miss, you sitting there, you look just like a CEO! This is the attitude, focus on making the Sheldon Group thrive. Let karma handle the scum, that's divine justice."
Whitney paused, surprised. Although Ludwik was indeed a devil, she didn't expect her colleagues to view him as such a villain.
Perhaps, it was his actions towards her that were unforgivable.
She quickly changed the subject, "Did you also gossip about your boss's personal life when you were my dad's assistant?"
"Ah, my bad, I'll leave now," Cody said, quickly packing up the invitation and exiting with a flushed face.
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