Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 210

Whitney clenched her fists at the dire state of her company. Exhaustion etched across her face, but she still shook her head. “Trends on social media are fleeting. They’ll die down soon. I’ll hold a press conference to clear the air then. I don’t agree with your approach.”

The PR manager of Lutz Group glanced towards Bryce, whose gaze darkened, signaling the end of the discussion.

The shareholders of Skye Gem were infuriated by Whitney’s stubbornness. “What can you possibly clarify? The video is clear evidence! You’re refusing to take the high road, and you’ll run your grandfather’s legacy into the ground sooner or later. Don’t blame us for being heartless when that happens!”

“Please give me some time,” Whitney pleaded, taking a deep breath. “Skye Gem is a jewelry brand. While my image is important, it’s the products that are our real strength. I’m confident the company will

bounce back.”

Free from her entanglement with Ludwik, Whitney now had the time to

focus on her own company’s issues.

Back at her desk, she calmed herself and tweeted from the company

account,

[Half a month ago, Ms. Valentine received a call for help from her friend, Mr. Lutz, who was drugged. Her visit to the hotel was to administer acupuncture to Mr. Lutz, not to engage in any inappropriate behavior. Please don’t jump to conclusions just over a blurry video.]

Almost instantly, Bryce retweeted the post, adding: [I was in a dire state and Ms. Valentine saved me with her timely acupuncture treatment. The fault is mine for harboring feelings for her, but she’s a kind and loyal woman who didn’t succumb to pressure even in a precarious situation. Please do not misjudge her!]

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Chapter 2

The online community was taken aback, with comments flooding in.

Among the criticisms, different voices emerged.

“Am I sensing a love story here?”

“Bryce has feelings for Whitney, calls her after taking his medicine, and tries to coerce her? Is that what I’m getting?”

“Doesn’t Whitney seem a bit innocent in all this?”

In the office, Whitney rubbed her temples, puzzled by Bryce’s protective stance. Now the internet was ablaze with criticism of him and the Lutz

Group only.

his number. “Mr. Lutz, this obfuscation

or your company.”

you. Don’t worry about my company, Whitney,” Bryce replied

sighed, feeling a mix of helplessness and warmth.

was about to tackle the backlog of paperwork when Valerie and Tiana came over, urging her to take a break. “Since you’ve issued the clarification, let’s see how it plays out. You’re still feverish, and Felix texted me that

cheeks burned, but then she thought of the man who caused it, and her empty ring

bone.

up at

devoid of the woman who had once fallen there. The polished floor reflected a distorted image of

10:35

Chapter 210

across his

two divorce agreements and

returned

her.”

at the ring in

presented it on New Year’s Eve in an attempt

the ring himself.

had never removed it, even when he forced her to sign the divorce papers

all the ugliness exposed and her supposed infidelity with Bryce, she couldn’t

chuckled mirthlessly, picking up the delicate ring, noting the faint bloodstain on the inside – a result of removing it too forcefully.

eyes darkened, then quickly reverted to scorn. She couldn’t possibly care, he thought. she

he clenched the diamond, the sharp edges cutting into

the fireplace and began to smash everything on the table, the noise startling the

face remained eerily

Mr. Ludwik’s rage

sank into the sofa, massaging his temples. “Bring me my phone. What’s the situation with

“The stock has

3/5

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Chapter

forward

lips curled

really wanted to ask but diverted to another topic. “I’ve traced the video’s origin a

—

outside the living room, Elaine smirked inwardly. She had hired