Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 325

Whitney stood frozen, unable to comprehend why he had finally changed his mind and believed her. She grabbed Tiana and bolted towards the car.

The caves in Southern Suburb were at the very end of a nature reserve, accessible only by parking at the visitor center. Whitney stumbled and sprinted up the hill through the undeveloped, pitch-black sections. Police lights flashed, and Ludwik's towering figure appeared like a deity under the night sky. His shirt and short hair were somewhat disheveled, and his handsome face was shadowed.

"He might be down in the caves," he whispered to the woman beside him.

"Is my son taken inside?" Whitney couldn't see the entrance to the cave from where they stood, only knowing they were at a significant height. Her heart raced, and she clenched her hands tightly.

Special forces were scattered around, shouting into a large cave entrance, "Attention inside, this is the police! You are surrounded. Release the hostage immediately!"

Elaine froze upon hearing the police's loud commands from above. Jarvis was also puzzled. The police? How did they arrive so quickly? This was impossible! Just half an hour ago, Jarvis's men reported that Ludwik was leading all forces in the north. "What's going on? Wasn't Ludwik supposed to be in the north? How did he manage to react so quickly?"

Elaine panicked. They had calculated that even if Ludwik did make it to Southern Suburb, it wouldn't be until the next morning. She had plenty of time to torment and kill Daniel. Now, Daniel was still not dead! Another asthma attack might have nearly finished him off, though.

Elaine and Jarvis exchanged a cold glance, knowing they had to act swiftly. They leaped deeper into the cave. Daniel, hung by the kidnappers, was too frail to endure much and nearly passed out. Jarvis quickly pushed Elaine towards the kidnappers, his eyes fierce, "Elaine, let them injure you, make it look convincing. I need to leave first; you know the stakes."

With that, he disappeared through another exit at the base of the cave. This man... Elaine, frustrated by his desertion yet understanding the necessity, quickly instructed the kidnappers to cut her in two places, then viciously grabbed Daniel, commanding, "Finish him." But just as she spoke, police officers descended from above. And from the cave entrance Jarvis had vanished through, a massive explosion echoed.

Boom!

she could react, she saw Ludwik leap towards the explosion-filled cave entrance! "Mr. Lippert, it's too dangerous! The police are already down there saving the young master!" Felix shouted anxiously. But the man seemed not to hear, descending swiftly on a

her, "Stay out of

tears in her eyes. As Tiana distracted the officer, Whitney seized

mass of special forces down, the dusty

"Danny!"

with fury, scanning for his cub like a lion in rage. His chest

a nickname he had for

weak voice called from under a pile of

I don't know if he's alive or dead," Elaine sobbed, overwhelmed with grief. Ludwik nearly lost his footing, his eyes bloodshot, "He cannot be dead..." Desperate, he ordered the special forces, "Get Elaine out." Abandoning Elaine,

"Ludwik, save me..."

indeed trapped, but seeing Ludwik

ground against a knife, unbearable pain coursing through him. Tears formed in

placed on a stretcher, asked weakly, feigning concern. Her eyes,

filled with dust," Ludwik said, his voice raspy. Elaine's heart sank, her face turning white. Disbelief that Daniel was alive. The plan was only half successful, all because Ludwik arrived too soon. She managed to get one, but not the other... Glancing at the deep parts of the cave destroyed by the explosion, that little troublemaker's

take Elaine up for medical treatment!" Ludwik commanded. Elaine dared not stay longer to arouse suspicion, not worried about what Daniel might

hang in there!" Ludwik saw Danny slightly open his eyes and spoke gently. He

me my