Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 211

The employees of Skye Gem Ltd. were anxious, their focus completely shattered as rumors and

discontent spread like wildfire through the office space.

Whitney’s face was now as pale as parchment. She hastily called for an emergency board meeting.

However, the three shareholders who had cashed out earlier were unreachable.

She felt the chill of dread. They were the very shareholders who had threatened her earlier in the day.

Whitney’s refusal to consider any public relations strategies with the Lutz Group led them to believe

that Skye Gem Ltd. was beyond saving. They had dumped their stocks in a hurry, and now they had

even set sights on the very building that housed the company!

Upon hearing that the Skye Gem building was going up for auction, Bryce immediately had his people

dig into the matter, tracing it back to Elaine, a known adversary of Skye Gem Ltd. Bryce knew he had to

intervene for Whitney’s sake.

Using a burner phone, he called Elaine, “Elaine, this vendetta against Whitney is getting ugly. Step

back and stop this madness.”

The woman on the other end paused, then laughed upon recognizing the voice. “Mr. Lutz?”

Elaine wasn’t rattled. “I’m helping you, Mr. Lutz. I presume it was you who sent that video to me?

Thanks for the assist, though I know it’s for your own gain. You chose me to light the fuse, knowing I’d

use that video to drive a wedge.”

Bryce clenched his jaw. The video wasn’t meant to be used this way.

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It was only after Ludwik, in a fit of inhumanity, had publicly humiliated Whitney at a restaurant that

Bryce had considered releasing it.

The Lutz family was also one of the four pillars of power in Banyan City. Bryce was known for his

patience and humility, but he could play hardball when pushed.

Ludwik’s arrogance and brutality were unworthy of Whitney. Bryce found himself consumed with the

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desire to protect her.

Elaine’s voice pulled him from his thoughts, “Let’s be allies in the shadows, shall we? Skye Gem Ltd. is

cornered and Whitney is desperate. Why not step in as the hero and win her heart?”

Bryce remained silent, hanging up to stand by the window, contemplating his next move. He instructed

his assistant to hire trolls to smear his reputation online, hinting at instability in the Lutz Group’s

leadership.

The assistant was perplexed but carried out the order without question.

Bryce glanced at his phone, which was filled with missed calls from the family patriarch and matriarch.

Then he dialed his butler. “I’m heading to the Lutz estate. Assure my parents to stay calm.”

The auction for the Skye Gem building was heating up online, with bids soaring.

Whitney was at her wit’s end, unable to reach the shareholder with the deed. That’s when Nyx burst

into her office, looking both pale and furious, “Ms. Valentine, rumor has it that Skyfaith is aggressively

buying up Skye Gem shares and bidding on the building. What’s wrong between you and Mr. Lippert?

He seems hell-bent on bringing us down!”

A sinking feeling took hold of Whitney. It was Ludwik.

“Are you sure?” she asked, shaking her head.

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“Who else? The bidders on that building are tied to Skyfaith.”

Her grip crumpled the papers in her hand.

Was he so intent on destroying her because of that misleading video?

She had already been forced to divorce today. Wasn’t that enough? Why the relentless animosity and

the sheer cruelty?

The building was her grandfather’s legacy. She couldn’t let it sold.

Ludwik wouldn’t let bygones be bygones. He was out for blood, and it was bitterly cold.

As the price neared a staggering 800 million, Whitney dialed Bryce in a desperate move, “Mr. Lutz, I

need your help. The Skye Gem Ltd. building is being auctioned, and I’m out of options. Could you lend

me a billion, please?”

A billion wasn’t much for a conglomerate like The Lutz Group, but Bryce hesitated for a moment, then

assured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll help.”

Whitney sensed his hesitation.

After thanking him, she quickly used the funds to reclaim the building.

Her PR manager rushed in with urgency, “Ms. Valentine, there’s something online you need to see.”

The news was damning. The Lutz Group was in turmoil, with Bryce Lutz at the center of the scandal.

He was vilified online, some even

Chapter 211.

labeling him a criminal.

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The shareholders were questioning his character due to the leaked video.

“Reports just in, Mr. Lutz has transferred a billion to Whitney Valentine’s account, defying the board’s

disapproval and causing major discontent.”

“Bryce Lutz’s CEO position is now at risk.”

“Rumors suggest his father Hunter Lutz, the family patriarch, is furious and may appoint a new head.”

Realization dawned on Whitney as she understood Bryce’s hesitation. He was risking everything to

help her, and now he was in the eye of

the storm.

Filled with guilt, she called him back, “Bryce, I’m so sorry, I had no idea you were already in trouble,

and now I’ve added to it.”

Before he could respond, an angry voice thundered in the background,

“Bryce, our family has strict rules. You’re my youngest son and I’ve always recognized your potential,

but how could you stir up such a scandal? Who is that woman? Your uncles are talking, and your

position might not hold. Sort this mess out immediately!”

Whitney hung up, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Bryce was in trouble because of

her, and she had to make it right.

“Don’t be too hard on him,” Claire’s voice trailed off, her tone filled with a weary concern. “He’s of age

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now, and settling down is what worries me the most. Perhaps we could…”

Her words became a distant hum.

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Bryce’s voice was as smooth as ever, “Whitney, have you secured the company building yet?”

“Yes, but at such a cost to you.” Whitney’s voice was heavy with guilt.

Bryce chuckled ruefully, “Yeah, I’m in quite the pickle now, aren’t I?”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“There is. But I’m afraid you might not agree to it.” Bryce’s deep, soothing voice was tinged with a sigh.

“I’ve got a slew of calls to deal with right now. I should get on that first.”

Whitney imagined him, brow furrowed in concentration, as she listened to the hurried tone of his voice.

Staring at the disconnected call on her phone screen, she was suddenly interrupted by an incoming call

from an unknown number.

She answered, and the voice on the other end introduced themselves as Bryce’s assistant, “Ms.

Valentine, I apologize for the intrusion, but there are a few things I just can’t hold back. Mr. Lutz cares

deeply for you and hates to see you struggle. But as his assistant, watching him work tirelessly for the

company, I can’t stand by and see him lose his position.

The online backlash he’s facing is because he stood up for you this morning, taking all the blame upon

himself, and I believe you’re well aware of it. Just now, despite the risk of shareholder scrutiny, he

transferred a billion to you.

Ms. Valentine, one must have a conscience. It’s not right that he saved you from peril, and now when

he’s in trouble, you can’t remain indifferent, can you?”

Whitney’s grip on her phone tightened as she took a deep breath, “What can I do for him?”

Chapter 212

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