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.

world, and Tiana, ever in the know, had heard

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

Chapter

a cold again.”

voice hoarse, “What time

the tender–it was your project. Data

did not grasp the entire situation–how could Whitney not blame

not giving you a hard time, is he?” Tiana worried about Whitney’s return to her

unsure of what to

baby’s growing. Just put up with Elaine, that little thorn in your side. You’ve got to think about the child who’s

her uncle,

you probably don’t even know tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve. I have to

interrupted, “Go be with your parents. I’ll be fine here.”

then asked, “Aren’t you returning to L’s villa? It’s

felt a sharp pang in her heart, biting her lip to hold back tears. She clutched her clothes, eyes fixed on

sank, and

called her? Tiana dared not probe further, fearing it would bring

with Whitney for a little while, Tiana had to leave for the morning

in the bedroom, sitting in solitude

come; with it, snow began to fall, each flake as cold as the loneliness in her heart.

the villa was a statement he would surely

the most inopportune moment. Whitney glanced at it, stunned

trembled, knowing it must be Natalie

grip, she answered, “Mom…”

it’s such an important day. Why aren’t you here?”

could not speak, her lips

2 3 ż

hint of concern in her laughter. “I remember you two were 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

knees, silent yet

can’t be resolved. Come home, and we’ll sort it out. I’ll stand

had long since regarded the lovely Natalie as a second

mix of warmth and agony. She could not believe that someone with such a wonderful mother could have hurt her mother all those years

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

Chapter 154

he want her to come home?

a mix of