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 option,

with a defeated leap backward, his

temporary victory. You think you've got me cornered? I'll make sure you taste the agony of

Bryce, apparently, using the child's life

could his child survive in Florence's belly? He was

Too many uncontrollable variables.

only choice was to

Sammy, and they strode away from

father's arms, "Daddy, do

hollow, "We'll wait

I think I messed up," Sammy sobbed, regretting not speaking up sooner. If

anticipated the misinformation being a trap

your sister back, despite the

his father's strong arms,

dawn approached, Parker brought no

with a somber expression, whispering, "She might have been smuggled out of the country before we even started searching the black freighters. I'm

had vanished beyond

whereabouts were now a mystery, and Bryce's meticulous planning seemed almost

all this trouble just to leverage

office sofa, his mind

Lippert Group launched a new product, hosting a sales conference attended by top aerospace firms from

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

He roused Sammy, "Son?"

deep voice, his eyes still bearing the traces

warm towel

see

nodded, looking up,

has his ways to make Bryce talk. Just

time, Sammy felt the profound strength

his own and protecting his mom, he realized he was just