Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 819

That night, Bryce had given her a beating so bad that I had no choice but to carry her back for treatment, waiting anxiously for the injury report to come out.

Frankly, I wish she had cheated on me instead. Blame me, why don't you? I was ambushed by Bryce's goons at the police station, hit in a spot that left me powerless. If you don't believe me, go check my hospital records!" Ludwik spilled the beans to the reporters without holding anything back.

Whitney stared at him, dumbfounded. His handsome, stoic face seemed to betray no emotion. What was this guy doing? Going to such lengths to clear her name, was he really willing to throw away his pride?

She stealthily pinched his muscular arm, trying to silence him.

But Ludwik just caught her hand, winked, and whispered in her ear, "It's okay, a real man doesn't mind losing face to protect the woman he loves. Besides, I don't need to prove anything to them. As long as you know I can handle it, that's enough." Whitney was speechless, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.

What did she know? He was acting all cocky before even making a full recovery.

"I think you're just bluffing now. You're probably beyond help," Whitney couldn't resist pouring cold water on him.

Ludwik's forehead creased with annoyance. Was she dissatisfied with their last night's encounter?

"It'll get better, why don't we give it another go when we get back?" His face lit up with a mix of earnest and anticipation. Whitney glared at his striking features. If not for the crowd around them, she might have kicked him into next week.

However, his diversion did help to alleviate some of her frustration with the press's probing questions. "Forget about them. The media's just looking for a circus. Let's get out of here."

Ludwik's commanding presence pushed back the encircling reporters, and he guided her into the car.

As they drove away, Tiana was busy scrolling through the hot gossip about Whitney's alleged affair, ready to hack into the troll accounts Bryce had bought. But then she noticed something. "Hey, the scandal doesn't seem to be blowing up anymore... Those trolls are quieting down too?

Damn... And there's Florence, that snake, hiring trolls to play the victim, claiming she was unfairly ousted from the Sheldon Group by you. She must be hoping to use public sympathy to worm her way back into the Sheldon Group."

with Bryce, and he's using her as a pawn to get his hands on the Sheldon Group, he must have promised her a return

legs crossed, looked up at Tiana. "Has Bryce

The scandal about Whitney's affair

him we had dirt on his club

your medical records from the andrology clinic-look at this-'erectile dysfunction,' clear as day..." Tiana's face flushed pink, and

questioning, "If Ludwik and Whitney couldn't be intimate,

and kissing don't

Geez, who knew

comments

burned with embarrassment, her earlier words forgotten. "Ludwik, look at

a bold move to clear Whitney's name, totally sacrificing your own reputation," Tiana said, unable to hide her admiration. "Man, you

I'm almost healed. What outsiders think doesn't bother me, as

shut up," Whitney cut him off, her face a beacon of embarrassment,

should gradually die down now. Bryce, as furious as he might be, wouldn't dare stoke the flames knowing you have

and talent for schmoozing, it won't be long

bad, even if my father stood up now to denounce that power of attorney, the contract's in black and white. Legally,

I have a way to deal with Bryce." Ludwik's face turned stern, his gaze on her sending a chill down her spine, reminding her of the Ludwik

felt heavy, unable to conjure any plan

plan?" she pressed

warmth reassuring. "You'll see when

shrugged, indicating she was also in the

at the villa, Parker was

for him to come over. "Parker, tell Whitney who you