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.

behind the chill of the police station on

wind

the car window and looked back at Whitney standing forlornly at the police station entrance, his eyes welling up with pity. He refused to believe she was so indifferent, absent from South City last night to care for her uncle. Plus, her appearance at the station suggested she

What had happened?

clearly unwilling to

Felix dared not provoke him

It

feel so cold, as

not as she watched him walk away in utter disappointment. Maybe it was for the best,

Chapter 153

in her, perhaps even suspicion, was the perfect end to a love that

their shared future.

had instilled in her and the remorse she felt

rang. It was her uncle. She

was laced with disappointment. “Did you save Braxton last night? Whitney, you just couldn’t bear to see him in trouble. I was so close to success, and you’ve cost

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

was your mistake and don’t expose me, or else, with his means, you know what will become of me!” He was warning her to remain

her hands, Whitney’s eyes shimmered with tears. To protect her uncle, she had said nothing earlier.

life was

was nearing the

would discard her for such a grave mistake

her chest, crying

South City

ICU, where the Braxton’s consciousness was fairly clear. He was recounting the previous night’s events, “In my delirium, I thought I

exchanged puzzled looks, assuming the old man was confused by his illness.

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

was in deep trouble, but everything had miraculously turned around

have integrity, but the land deal has been finalized. It’s gone to the previous bidder,” Braxton said, his eyes still showing

“It was my oversight. Please focus

errors. Who

nodding before turning to leave the

eyes narrowed as he asked, “Which company

previous day’s events had been suspicious; Ludwik’s competitors had been in lengthy talks with Braxton from afternoon

there was Whitney’s error in the bid, coinciding with Braxton’s

all seemed