Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 871

Whitney stared at the man's striking features on the screen, taking a deep, cold breath in silence.

She had never imagined Ludwik could be so ruthlessly formidable when pushing someone into a corner. A shiver of fear ran through her.

Ring, ring-

The phone rang, as if on cue.

With mixed feelings, Whitney answered, "You're pretty harsh in dealing with Bryce."

She couldn't help but express her astonishment to Ludwik.

Ludwik couldn't suppress a cold chuckle internally. You have no idea how vile Bryce can be, Whitney. He's taken our daughter, hidden her away...

His heart heavy, he managed a cold, thin smile, "I can't afford your kindness or the luxury of turning the other cheek! I'm doing you a favor by getting rid of him. Aren't you pleased?"

Whitney felt a chill run down her spine, her heart turning cold and then warming up again. She murmured softly, "Thank you for avenging me against Bryce. He's responsible for two lives, Audrey's and indirectly, Tiana's as well. Such a man doesn't deserve mercy, nor the chance to turn things around.

You've taken care of it all."

What she didn't say out loud was that without him, she really wouldn't know what to do.

But the man on the other end didn't need her to say it to understand.

Through the phone, Ludwik's deep, resonant laughter could be heard, "Then, may I invite you to dinner, Ms. Valentine?"

Whitney's cheeks warmed instantly, perhaps charmed by his voice, a stark contrast to any other teasing she'd experienced.

It was like a pleasant current flowed through her ears.

Without realizing, she bit her lip, glanced at her watch, and said, "If a dinner is all it takes to thank you, I'm all for it. How about seven? I'll bring the kids."

effectively blocked Ludwik's intentions

eyebrow slightly, admiring the

that just

handsome face darkened, suddenly finding the presence of his

his hand dismissively and said to Whitney, "Then I'll book a family-friendly restaurant and wait for you, darling." His gentle voice faded with

at Felix, his gaze turning stormy,

frozen by Fortu-Nova Bank, he hasn't left

cigarette, but he didn't light it. Instead, he crushed it ruthlessly until the tobacco shredded, then he pocketed his hands and stood by the window, overlooking the dusk with a cold, detached gaze. After a moment of deep thought, his eyes darkened with suspicion, "Ordinary

do was to disclose

such desperation... something's

possibly related to his urgent

doesn't see his downfall yet, so he's holding on... his mind is full

aside from the child,

has to use Florence

he found out from which dark port Florence

in the office

stubborn; as

open,

six months old; they couldn't afford

the urgency, "Mr. Lippert, please calm down. You'll surely protect your and

moment, then looked at his watch and straightened up. Grabbing his suit jacket, he strode out, "Keep the search for Florence quiet. Whitney must not catch even a hint! She's suffered enough this past year under my watch. Now, I just want her to believe all is calm, that her life won't have

Mr. Lippert. I'll inform Mr. Doonan and the

naturally, was very understanding, while Danny... better left

curved slightly as he drove to meet Whitney for dinner, only to find her already there with their sons, looking radiant in her

was hugging her leg, begging for ice

April, and naturally,

of Danny clinging to Whitney's bare legs.

"Whitney." He approached quickly.

she could see him clearly,

to her leg,