Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 153

Whitney translated the coldness in his tone; he was questioning her tardiness; his world had been shaken, yet she seemed indifferent.

She understood his sense of loss, but she had to swallow all the bitter consequences silently.

She could not tell him that she had run off to secretly save Braxton, turning danger into safety, all because of

the sin her uncle had committed.

She felt guilt weighing heavily on her soul.

Nor could she mention being trapped in a hotel with Bryce. In such a situation, she feared it might drive him mad.

Ludwik waited, a slow count of seconds ticking by.

Whitney choked back her bitterness, only able to look at him with hollow, sorrowful eyes and feign indifference. “I was taking care of Uncle in Banyan City, and my presence here wouldn’t have changed anything.”

The man’s grip on her collar suddenly loosened, his knuckles elegant and beautiful, yet so chillingly cold.

Staring blankly at his large hand, Whitney raised her eyes to meet his, now cold and indifferent, and felt the tears that had long been falling inside her heart.

He stood upright, his eyes red with anger, gazing into the distance.

The shareholders were discontent. “Mr. President, can you believe what she’s saying? The vice president herself, with her errors, is still so brazen. She relies entirely on your favor!”

“Her incompetence could’ve ruined the company.”

“And then there’s Elaine, who dragged her sick body here last night, dealing with everything smoothly this morning.”

“There’s no comparison. What’s so good about Whitney anyway?”

The shareholders‘ complaints filled the air, and Elaine’s hidden smirk widened with satisfaction.

She walked tenderly to the man’s side, saying, “Bro, you’ve been up all night. Go rest for a while before we visit

Braxton.”

Ludwik’s lips were tightly sealed. Without another word, he left Whitney behind, his tall, stern figure getting into

the car.

of the police station on a winter morning, along with trailing exhaust fumes.

wind

refused to believe she was

What had happened?

livid, clearly unwilling to

not provoke him and sighed silently.

squatted down, staring at the sunlight streaming down. It was a beautiful day, no snow, not too

her heart, why did it feel so cold, as if she could never climb out of this abyss?

hurt so much, she wanted to say, but she could not as she watched him walk away in utter disappointment. Maybe it was for the best, an

Chapter 153

perfect end to a love that should never have

their shared

in her and the remorse she felt towards

It was her uncle. She

couldn’t bear to see him in trouble. I was so close to success, and you’ve cost

awaken his conscience, her voice filled with sorrow, “Uncle, revenge can’t be sought this way; this

you know? He owes me! Just insist it was your mistake and don’t expose me, or else, with

her hands, Whitney’s eyes shimmered with tears. To

life was driving her

nearing the

for such a grave mistake and banish her from

her chest,

South City Private Hospital.

ICU, where the Braxton’s consciousness was fairly clear. He was recounting the previous night’s events, “In my delirium, I thought I saw a white figure, a young girl, performing a procedure

puzzled looks, assuming the old man was

Braxton’s condition had been dire the previous night; when Ludwik had entered the police car, Braxton

in deep trouble, but everything had miraculously turned

the previous bidder,” Braxton said,

oversight. Please focus on your

Who did you entrust with

before turning to

as he asked,

previous day’s events had been suspicious; Ludwik’s competitors had been in lengthy talks with Braxton from afternoon until evening, deliberately delaying, causing Ludwik to be late.

Whitney’s error in

seemed too convenient.