Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 686

"Whitney!"

Sandy grabbed her arm, trying to hold her back, "Don't do it. Just call the cops. Looks like there's someone with a knife over there."

"Just call the cops, get Cody to send some security over!"

With those words, Whitney frowned and ran towards the trouble.

But when she reached the alley, in front of a muddy puddle, she was shocked to find Ludwik on the ground, beaten and battered. His once impeccable features were marred with bruises, his clothes stained with dirt and blood. The darkness seemed to swallow him whole, making him appear broken and defeated.

How could Ludwik, known for his strength and fighting skills, be reduced to this? To Whitney, the men attacking him should have been no match for Ludwik's prowess.

Yet there he was, unconscious, his silhouette a shadow of despair.

"Come on, wake up..." Whitney muttered, but before she could finish, one of the thugs, bottle in hand, lunged at Ludwik's leg. Whitney reacted instantly, kicking the man away, "Stop it, I've called the cops!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

face. Recognizing her, he sneered, "So it's the new head of the Sheldon Group, Ms. Valentine herself. Heard you got hitched. Running

frown deepened, recognizing the

the CEO of the Lane Group!" Lane boasted, clearly underestimating Whitney given the current uncertainties

then remembered. Lane was the one who had caused a scene at Ludwik's company, threatening to take over

hand and Ludwik battered on the ground, she pieced everything together. Lane was

a pulp. Shouldn't you be the one running off? But

protecting Ludwik?" Lane

a

your way," Lane bellowed, signaling his bodyguards to attack. But Whitney was unfazed, knowing her backup had arrived. With a simple gesture, she commanded, "They're

from their fight with Ludwik, quickly lost ground

forced to negotiate, "Look, I got it wrong, okay? Let's

pressing him for answers until Lane confessed his intentions to take over the Lippert Group, admitting he'd been tipped off about Ludwik's drunken state as an opportunity to strike. Accusing the Patrick family of setting him up, Lane tried to deflect blame. Whitney, skeptical but aware she wouldn't get more from him, warned him of the consequences of his actions before letting him go. In the end, Whitney's swift intervention had prevented a bad situation from turning worse, showcasing her resolve and influence in the face

detour, and don't even think about making a move on the Lippert estate!" "Otherwise, I swear I'll have seen you with

Group, and Lane had no interest in making an enemy out of

a mocking tone, he retorted, "Ms. Valentine, seems like you still have

I'll let him off tonight... We'll

I go now?" Lane was eager to get