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

The man raised an eyebrow slightly,

just like yesterday's gathering at the Lippert

the presence of his sons

towards his boss, Ludwik waved his hand dismissively and said to

gaze turning stormy, "So, Bryce hasn't called

by Fortu-Nova Bank, he hasn't left his mansion. Reporters are even speculating whether you've pushed him to suicide in there!" "Suicide?

by the window, overlooking the dusk with a cold, detached gaze. After a moment of deep thought, his eyes darkened with suspicion, "Ordinary people would

to do

such desperation... something's

Bryce still harbors some plan, possibly related

waiting for a moment? He doesn't see his downfall yet, so he's holding on... his mind is full of schemes, he won't let

aside from the child, that could

has to use Florence for

get Parker here fast. See if he found out from which

in the

Bryce was stubborn; as long as he lived, he'd remain

couldn't pry his mouth open, Ludwik would have to find

was already six months old; they couldn't

shared the urgency, "Mr. Lippert, please calm down.

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 any more upheaval. Otherwise,

understand, Mr. Lippert. I'll inform Mr. Doonan and

was very understanding,

to meet Whitney for dinner, only to find her already there with their sons, looking

leg,

and naturally, Whitney

his handsome face darkened at the sight of Danny clinging to Whitney's bare

"Whitney." He approached quickly.

she could see him clearly, he draped his jacket over

clinging to her leg, was