Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 154

Bryce’s gaze turned frosty as he faced off with Ludwik, whose influence was as vast as the ocean. But Bryce was not one to be easily daunted. “If that day comes, may the best man win,” he declared with a steely resolve. And with that, he left.

Standing in the elevator, Ludwik fixed a hawk–like stare on the back of Bryce’s head. Felix could feel the chill emanating from his boss, a clear sign that his mood had soured even further.

Rivalry in love, a tangled situation with Whitney–what a mess.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Elaine emerged from the shadows. She watched Ludwik descend, then turned her thoughtful gaze toward Bryce.

Was Bryce truly this taken with Whitney?

A cold smirk played on Elaine’s lips as she dialed her assistant. “The investigation I asked you to conduct on Whitney’s whereabouts last night–what have you found?”

Whitney had rushed to the police station soaking wet that morning–certainly not a regular occurrence.

Ludwik, in his fury, had overlooked the details.

The assistant replied, “Elaine, I’ve discovered that Bryce helped Whitney sneak into the hospital to save Braxton. Later, Bryce was drugged by a rival, and Whitney rushed to his hotel. They were trapped together until the morning.”

What?

Elaine’s face paled. Whitney had saved Braxton?

She knew the bid fiasco had something to do with Whitney’s uncle, but she had not anticipated Whitney secretly aiding Ludwik!

“Make sure to erase any trace of Whitney’s visit to the hospital.” Elaine could not let him discover that Whitney had helped him in secret.

Elaine’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Find out if there are any photos or videos of what Bryce and Whitney got up to in the hotel.”

If Ludwik found out, Whitney’s fate would be sealed.

But Elaine was in no hurry. Whitney was already on a path of no return with an uncle like that. Elaine would simply bide her time by Ludwik’s side, waiting for the right moment.

At nightfall, Whitney returned to Banyan City from the South City, alone and without a place to go except to Tiana’s apartment.

No sooner had she stepped through the door than her body collapsed to the floor, her stomach churning with anxiety.

Fearing another fever might harm the baby, Whitney mustered the strength to take a herbal bath. However, exhaustion took over, and she fell into a deep slumber.

When Tiana returned later that night, she found Whitney unconscious in the now icy bathwater, her phone clutched in her hand, frozen on the news page of United Realty Corporation.

of the tender was significant news in the business world, and Tiana, ever in the know, had heard about it.

of the bath, whispering urgently, “Whitney? Get dressed before you catch

Chapter

a cold again.”

fluttered open, her voice hoarse, “What time is it?”

your project. Data errors happen; don’t be so hard

grasp the entire situation–how

Braxton is okay. He’s not giving you a hard time, is he?” Tiana worried about Whitney’s return to her apartment, fearing her relationship with L might have worsened.

remained silent, unsure of

touching her belly, “The baby’s growing. Just put up with Elaine, that little thorn in your side. You’ve got

Because of her uncle, there

Tiana continued, “You’ve been so out of sorts lately, you probably don’t even know tomorrow’s New

with your parents.

you returning to L’s villa? It’s your first

back tears. She clutched her clothes, eyes

Whitney’s pale face, Tiana’s heart sank, and

Tiana dared not probe

for a little while, Tiana

remained in the bedroom, sitting in solitude

fall, each flake as cold as the loneliness in

the villa was a statement

moment. Whitney glanced at it,

heart trembled, knowing it must

grip, she

tinged with worry, said, “Whitney, it’s such an important day. Why aren’t you

could not speak, her

3

fine when that rascal was hospitalized. I’ve been recuperating in my place these days. Have you two had a silly quarrel again? Come back, dear. It’s our family’s first New Year’s together. We can’t be without you and the

onto Whitney’s knees, silent

that can’t be resolved. Come

Whitney had long since regarded the lovely Natalie as

not believe that someone with such a wonderful mother could have hurt her

means it too, you know. He might not say it, but Whitney,

Chapter 154

mean it? Did he want her to come

mix of unrest and