Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 212

“The Lutz family is known for its stringent rules, and now Mr. Lutz is suspected for allegedly having an

affair with a married woman. It seems the only way out is to legitimize your status. You know as well as

I do that even if you manage to buy back the Skye Gem Ltd, building, with the company morale

shaken, your shareholders would keep offloading their shares.

So why not go for a win-win? If you agree to an engagement with him, that video will be above board.

He’ll stabilize the Lutz Group, and your company will be under his protection. Weighing the pros and

cons, it’s the best option you have.”

Whitney held her breath, struggling to make a decision in her mind.

In the end, rationality won over her emotions.

She couldn’t let Bryce down. He had done too much for her.

And Skye Gem would crumble to bankruptcy in no time under Ludwik’s relentless pressure if she didn’t

take any actions.

She was about to give birth to a baby, and Skye Gem was beyond her own capability to save.

She needed a safe harbor.

It was all Ludwik’s doing.

Whitney let out a silent, desolate chuckle. She closed her eyes and said, “I’m not heartless. Please tell

Mr. Lutz that if he needs a faux engagement to get through this, I’m in-as long as he can get out of this

mess.”

“Thank you, Ms. Valentine.”

The assistant hung up the phone, beaming, and turned to a man of quiet elegance, “Mr. Lutz,

congratulations. But Ms. Valentine is sharp. She specified a faux engagement.”

Bryce’s eyes flickered with amusement as he took a drag of his cigarette, “She’s exactly the woman I

thought she was. It’s okay; we have all the time in the world. If she steps into the Lutz household, won’t

everything else be easy?”

He squinted slightly, contemplating..

News of Whitney and Bryce’s planned engagement spread like wildfire. Any rumors about the video

were now seen in a different light.

The internet exploded with the plot twist, and the tide of public opinion about Bryce shifted dramatically.

Exhausted, Whitney returned to Tiana’s apartment, where a text from Bryce soon followed. [I didn’t

expect my assistant to press you behind my back. Whitney, if you’re unwilling, I can clear things up

again.]

[No one pressured me, Mr. Lutz. Besides, it’s just a pretend engagement. So don’t feel guilty.]

Bryce’s reply was profound. [To you, it’s pretended. But to me, it feels like-dreams coming true.]

Whitney paused mid-typing, suddenly unsure how to respond.

“Whitney.” Tiana came to open the door, and Valerie was there too. They both looked at her with

concern.

“Is what the news says true? Have you thought this through?” Valerie came over.

Whitney offered a helpless smile, her eyes tinged with weariness and fear, “It’s not about what I want. I

need to save Skye Gem Ltd., and I owe Bryce.”

Valerie nodded, understanding the situation forced Whitney’s hand and said no more.

As Whitney stepped into her room, Tiana closed the door behind her and whispered to Valerie, “You

know, I actually think Bryce isn’t too bad. If Whitney could just…”

“It’s all too rushed. I just hope Whitney can step out from Ludwik’s shadow. It’s hard. Maybe Bryce will

be a pleasant surprise. He’s no simple man, but the way he looks at Whitney shows his tenderness.”

Valerie sighed.

In the small bedroom, Whitney removed her scarf and gloves, checking the time. It was already

evening,

She had been worried about her cousin Yael. Following contact details given by Felix, Whitney

nervously dialed the number.

It took a while for the other end to pick up, and a girl’s voice came through, “Who are you looking for?”

“Yael, are you safe? I’m Whitney, your cousin. Has your dad ever mentioned me?”

“Whitney!” The girl’s voice quivered with excitement, and she began to cry, “I was kidnapped more than

ten days ago and only released this afternoon. They didn’t hurt me, just left me hungry. Whitney, is my

dad fine after he went back to the country? Where is he? I want to talk to him.”

Faced with her request, Whitney’s voice caught in her throat.

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Her cousin sounded so worried.

That’s why her uncle was so desperate. His wife had left him, his health didn’t allow him to care for his

daughter, so he was driven to make something of himself, to take what wasn’t his,

And that’s what landed him in jail

Whitney covered her mouth and nose, stifling her sobs, unsure how to tell Yael about her father’s

imprisonment.

“Your dad… It might be a few years before he can reunite with you. You stay safe abroad, and I’ll come

visit when I can.”

She curled up as she spoke, eyes closed. Her uncle deserved a sentence, but life imprisonment was

clearly too harsh.

Now that she was leaving Ludwik’s shadow, she would find a way to appeal for her uncle and to get

him out.

Skye Gem Ltd., her uncle, her mother-the burdens on her shoulders were still heavy. Whitney took a

deep breath, telling herself to stay strong.

Ding-dong, her phone chimed.

Bryce sent another message. [Whitney, where are you? I’ll come to pick you up. It’s more appropriate

that you live with us from now on.)

Whitney froze for a moment, remembering their soon-to-be ‘engaged’ status and quickly replied. (I’m at

my friend’s place. I won’t stay at your villa. I’ll look for an apartment tomorrow.]

[I’ll come to take you to find an apartment tomorrow, then.]

Bryce was considerate, not imposing. [Make sure to have dinner now, for the baby’s sake.]

She smiled, realizing she had indeed forgotten to eat.

Her hand gently caressed her belly as she murmured softly, “Baby, even though your dad has left, your

mom will still love you. I can’t wait to meet you.”

Late at night, Elaine carried a cup of coffee and knocked on the door of Ludwik’s study.

The man’s voice was husky and dark, “Come in.”

Elaine walked in with a charming smile, “Ludwik, that’s your fourth cup of coffee. It’s not good for your

stomach. You can deal with whatever important work you have tomorrow. Why don’t you rest with me

for a bit?”

Work was just an excuse. Ludwik would rather keep himself busy like a machine, if he could.

His brows were set in steely indifference, his handsome features casting a cool blue tint in the dim light.

“I just slept this afternoon. Elaine. after you administered those acupuncture treatments to me, I’ve

slept twice and now my head feels heavy. Are you sure this therapy can cure my insomnia?”

Ludwik was riddled with doubts.

Elaine’s hand stiffened momentarily. In her haste, she had been a bit heavy-handed with the hypnotics,

not quite gauging the correct

amount.

“Ludwik, ever since you mentioned Whitney using some underhanded methods to put you to sleep, I’ve

been worried. I rushed to come up with this acupuncture technique. It’s completely harmless.”

Anyway. Whitney was out of the picture, she could sling as much mud as she wanted.

Elaine moved behind him, her fingers lightly pressing against the temples of his aching head, “Maybe

it’s the side effects of those pills Whitney gave you? She never had good intentions, and you saw that

for yourself.”

Just the mention of that woman sent his pupils into an icy glare.

There was a time when he wouldn’t believe Elaine, holding onto some fantasy about her.

Now, why wouldn’t he believe Elaine? Maybe Whitney truly meant to harm him.

Seeing him silent, Elaine’s lips curled into a subtle smirk. She had all the time in the world to frame

Whitney. But at the moment, there was another urgent matter.

Elaine placed her hands on his shoulders, hesitating before speaking, “Ludwik, you’ve locked yourself

away in the study today, not even glancing at the news. There’s something I’m not sure I should tell

you.”

“What is it?”

Elaine’s lips twitched into a sly smile, “Whitney and Bryce announced their engagement this afternoon.”

She felt his shoulders drop suddenly, as if petrified.

Then, the temperature in the room seemed to plummet into an icy stillness.

After the silence, a storm of fury surged forth.

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Her schemes today were to drive Whitney into Bryce’s arms, and Bryce’s move had pleased her

immensely.

Elaine fanned the flames, seething with indignation, “How could Whitney do this? She’s despicable,

getting engaged to another man so soon after divorcing you. It’s like she’s stabbing you right in the

heart, isn’t it?”

Chapter 213