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."

Ludwik's intentions for a

The man raised an eyebrow slightly, admiring the

the kids along, wasn't that just like yesterday's gathering

finding the presence of his

office with a soft knock and a thoughtful look towards his boss, Ludwik waved his hand dismissively and said to Whitney, "Then I'll book a family-friendly

gaze turning stormy, "So, Bryce

Bank, he hasn't left his mansion. Reporters are even speculating whether you've pushed him to suicide

up a 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,

do was

silence in such desperation... something's

suspect Bryce still harbors some plan, possibly related

so he's holding on... his mind is full of schemes, he

on Florence, aside from the child,

has to use Florence for

he found out from which dark port Florence left

atmosphere in the

stubborn; as long as he lived,

mouth open, Ludwik would have

months old; they couldn't afford to

Lippert, please calm down. You'll surely protect your and Ms. Valentine's

eyes for a 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

I'll inform

was very understanding, while Danny... better left

as he drove to meet Whitney for dinner, only to find her already

was hugging her leg,

naturally, Whitney was having none of

darkened at the sight of Danny clinging to Whitney's bare legs. Did that fool know she was wearing a

"Whitney." He approached quickly.

see him clearly,

her leg,