Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 212

“The Lutz family is known for its stringent rules, and now Mr. Lutz is suspected for allegedly having an affair with a married woman. It seems the only way out is to legitimize your status. You know as well as I do that even if you manage to buy back the Skye Gem Ltd, building, with the company morale shaken, your shareholders would keep offloading their shares.

So why not go for a win-win? If you agree to an engagement with him, that video will be above board. He’ll stabilize the Lutz Group, and your company will be under his protection. Weighing the pros and cons, it’s the best option you have.”

Whitney held her breath, struggling to make a decision in her mind.

In the end, rationality won over her emotions.

She couldn’t let Bryce down. He had done too much for her.

And Skye Gem would crumble to bankruptcy in no time under Ludwik’s relentless pressure if she didn’t take any actions.

She was about to give birth to a baby, and Skye Gem was beyond her own capability to save.

She needed a safe harbor.

It was all Ludwik’s doing.

Whitney let out a silent, desolate chuckle. She closed her eyes and said, “I’m not heartless. Please tell Mr. Lutz that if he needs a faux engagement to get through this, I’m in-as long as he can get out of this mess.”

“Thank you, Ms. Valentine.”

The assistant hung up the phone, beaming, and turned to a man of quiet elegance, “Mr. Lutz, congratulations. But Ms. Valentine is sharp. She specified a faux engagement.”

Bryce’s eyes flickered with amusement as he took a drag of his cigarette, “She’s exactly the woman I thought she was. It’s okay; we have all the time in the world. If she steps into the Lutz household, won’t everything else be easy?”

He squinted slightly, contemplating..

News of Whitney and Bryce’s planned engagement spread like wildfire. Any rumors about the video were now seen in a different light.

The internet exploded with the plot twist, and the tide of public opinion about Bryce shifted dramatically.

Exhausted, Whitney returned to Tiana’s apartment, where a text from Bryce soon followed. [I didn’t expect my assistant to press you behind my back. Whitney, if you’re unwilling, I can clear things up again.]

[No one pressured me, Mr. Lutz. Besides, it’s just a pretend engagement. So don’t feel guilty.]

Bryce’s reply was profound. [To you, it’s pretended. But to me, it feels like-dreams coming true.]

mid-typing, suddenly

Tiana came to open the door, and Valerie was there too. They both looked at her with

says true? Have you thought this

about what

forced Whitney’s hand and said no

Tiana closed the door behind her and whispered to Valerie, “You know, I actually think Bryce isn’t too

Whitney can step out from Ludwik’s shadow. It’s hard. Maybe Bryce will be a pleasant surprise.

Valerie sighed.

small bedroom, Whitney removed her scarf and gloves,

her cousin Yael. Following contact details given by Felix, Whitney nervously dialed the

for the other end to pick up, and a girl’s voice came through,

Whitney, your cousin.

days ago and only released this afternoon. They didn’t hurt me, just left me hungry. Whitney, is my dad fine after he went back to the country? Where is he? I

with her request, Whitney’s voice caught

Chapter 212

cousin sounded

him to care for his daughter, so he was driven to make something of himself, to take

landed him

her mouth and nose, stifling her sobs, unsure how

can reunite with you. You

as she spoke, eyes closed. Her uncle deserved a sentence, but life imprisonment was

leaving Ludwik’s shadow, she would find a way to appeal for her uncle and to get him

Ltd., her uncle, her mother-the burdens on her shoulders were still heavy. Whitney took a deep

Ding-dong, her phone chimed.

sent another message. [Whitney, where are you? I’ll come to pick you up.

‘engaged’ status and quickly replied. (I’m at my friend’s place. I won’t stay

come to take you to find an

imposing. [Make sure to have dinner now,

realizing she had

your dad

a cup of coffee and knocked on the door of

was husky and dark,

in with a charming smile, “Ludwik, that’s your fourth cup of coffee. It’s not good for your stomach. You can deal with whatever important work

excuse. Ludwik would rather keep himself