Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 869

The child was his and Whitney's-an offspring of love and betrayal, a living symbol of his affection for Whitney, the woman he loathed and adored in equal measure. Surely, his feelings for Whitney would extend to this innocent life, wouldn't it? Bryce watched Ludwik, noting the chill in his tone, and couldn't help but smirk, his grip tightening around his glass of bourbon. Ludwik's frustration was music to his ears, a clear sign that he held the winning card. Indeed, Ludwik wanted the child alive, cradled in the womb of life.

This meant Bryce still had a fighting chance.

Moreover, once Florence reached Eurovoria, if he could somehow connect with her, it'd be like hitching his wagon to a star.

He was far from defeated.

Bryce had his men fortify the mansion's gates, then flung open a window, laughing derisively at Ludwik's handsome, icy visage, "Hurts, doesn't it? Finding out that's your kid, but with Florence, and Florence under my control! Enjoy your misery.

Ludwik, you've dragged me through hell, so I'll make sure your family will never be whole again!

Where's Florence now? Dig the earth three feet deep, and you still won't find her.

By the time you're onto something, that child will be nothing but a memory, haha!"

A vein snapped in Ludwik's brain at that.

Rage blazed from his icy eyes as he kicked the ornate gate down, towering over the guards.

Bryce, sensing Ludwik's terrifying intent, thought he was about to barge in and capture him.

He had underestimated Ludwik's ruthlessness before.

A flicker of panic crossed Bryce's eyes, but he steadied himself, threatening, "Don't think about going down with the ship, Ludwik!

Come any closer, and I swear I'll end your child's life tonight. I can make sure the six-month-old fetus doesn't see the morning!"

Ludwik froze, as if struck by an invisible force, his imposing figure silhouetted against the dark, looming over Bryce like a demon of the night.

Sammy's voice broke through from below, "Daddy! Daddy, please don't..."

They all knew the life of the unborn child hung by Bryce's mere words.

gamble too risky

not an

defeated leap backward, his

me cornered? I'll make sure you taste the agony of slow ruin, of living a life worse

using the child's life

long could his child survive in

Too many uncontrollable variables.

only choice was

Sammy, and they strode away from Bryce's

his father's arms, "Daddy, do you think Florence

was soft but hollow, "We'll wait for

up," Sammy sobbed, regretting not speaking up sooner. If only he had informed his father earlier, they might have intercepted

misinformation being a trap set

not your fault. Maybe it's fate. Daddy will bring your sister back, despite the hurdles," Ludwik reassured, patting Sammy's

in his father's

dawn approached, Parker brought

been smuggled out of the country before we even started searching the black freighters. I'm sorry,

had vanished

set free, her whereabouts were now a mystery,

to leverage the child, or was there another

heavy form sank into the office sofa, his mind racing through

sales conference attended by top aerospace firms

from a shower in the break room, his rugged charm undiminished by fatigue, a hint of menace in his gaze, focused

He roused Sammy, "Son?"

voice, his eyes still bearing the traces of

frowned, fetching a warm towel

your mommy see you like this," he

looking up,

his ways to make Bryce talk.

the

on his own and protecting his mom, he realized he