Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 689

At every turn, decisions at Sheldon Enterprises demanded a board meeting.

"You're keen on diving into real estate and finance, those are big areas I'll push forward. But it might not be quick."

A chilling glint passed through Bryce's eyes, though his face remained expressionless as he nodded, "I understand, thanks for the effort. Honestly, I just want to be inseparable from you, Whitney. It still leaves me feeling a bit uneasy." "Stop talking nonsense, we're practically family now. I've got to head to work."

"Alright."

As the car door closed, the warmth vanished from Bryce's composed face.

His gaze fixed on Whitney's fading silhouette, recalling the phone call from that morning-

"Mr. Lutz, Ludwik was indeed taught a harsh lesson last night, but then Whitney showed up out of nowhere and saved him. She's your wife, so I didn't dare say much. Rest assured, I didn't spill the beans!"-Lane. Bryce's eyes darkened with stormy thoughts.

No wonder she hadn't come home until after 1 a.m. last night. She had saved Ludwik and even booked a room, their ties seemingly unbreakable.

She had lied to him again.

That damn woman...

Bryce grimaced, starting his car. On the way, he texted Audrey: "Head to my office's lounge. Don't bother dressing up, just wait for me."

He needed to vent his frustration on a woman, unable to swallow the bitter pill of his anger.

However, just as he was nearing the Lutz Group tower, his phone rang.

"Mr. Lutz... It seems you're being followed."

The voice belonged to one of Bryce's trusted aides.

"Who's tracking me? How long have they been on my tail?"

"It seems to be a detective sent by Shane Nelson. The guy's cautious and professional. If I hadn't been watching them from the start, I might not have noticed." "Shane?" Bryce frowned, puzzled. "We have no quarrels; why is he tracking me?"

His subordinate sounded just as confused but cautiously added, "Mr. Lutz, have you forgotten? Shane has been quite close to Ms. Valentine recently." Bryce's eyes narrowed sharply.

He remembered seeing Shane and Whitney talking frequently at Sheldon Enterprises.

Could it be...

"Got it." Bryce's expression turned icy cold.

A sinister smile curled his lips. So, Whitney had asked Shane to investigate him? Otherwise, why would Shane, a stranger, bother tracking him? Did she suspect something?

Impossible, he had always been careful. Where had he slipped up?

It seemed urgent to dispel her suspicions.

Bryce called Audrey again with a dark tone, "Don't come to the office. Stay away from me for a while; Whitney's getting suspicious."

Audrey, in the midst of slipping into a sultry dress, felt her excitement vanish, venting in frustration, "Bryce, what are you afraid of? Let her suspect!

She's damaged goods! You're being too kind not divorcing her; what can she do to you?"

"You know nothing," Bryce snapped back impatiently.

Audrey, feeling wronged and full of resentment towards Whitney, choked up, "I just think it's unfair for you to tiptoe around Whitney. With your status in Emperor City, why bother?" "What status do I have in Emperor City?" Bryce scoffed disdainfully, his eyes darkening. "Nothing but Wade's lackey."

Audrey knew this much; Bryce's current standing came from serving Wade.

But she still wondered, wasn't being one of Wade's confidants, a magnate of Harmonia Country, prestigious enough?

Could Bryce be unsatisfied being under Wade?

This thought sent a shiver down her spine. Bryce was too deep a player.

"Women are shallow; you don't understand the half of it.

Audrey, remember, Whitney mustn't know about us! I still need her for my plans."

With that, he coldly ended the call.

Audrey, puzzled and cold, considered. Was Bryce using Whitney against Ludwik, or was it for Sheldon Enterprises, or did Whitney have some unseen leverage? Bryce's ambitions were indeed vast. Her eyes cooled as she realized she couldn't wait any longer. Bryce was treating her like a mere call girl, available at his whim.

Why should she settle for being the hidden mistress, especially when he asked her to lay low today?

She had been tracking her ovulation, aiming to carry Bryce's child. But she also needed to expose Bryce's dalliances to Whitney. However, he had already warned her.

If not directly, then indirectly.

If she couldn't confront Whitney, she'd target those close to her.

Didn't Whitney have a few close girlfriends?

Audrey quickly hired a detective online, and within two hours, they had Tiana in their sights.

This woman was living in Whitney's house...

A spark of cunning lit up in Audrey's eyes. Tiana would be the perfect messenger.

-

In the hotel suite.

Ludwik was roused by the incessant ringing of his phone, only to find himself lying in the bathroom.

Where was this?

Ludwik's slender fingers fumbled for his phone in his pocket, wincing from a throbbing headache as he answered the call.

On the other end, Ashton's deep voice came through, "Ludwik, did that guy Lane get to you?"

Ludwik, still in a daze, suddenly realized his body ached all over. His mind flashed with chaotic snippets from the night before. He remembered overindulging at the bar...

Then, in the alley, he was jumped. Initially, he fought back, but something the assailant said knocked the wind out of his sails.

"So, it was Lane," Ludwik muttered coldly.

"How could you get so sloshed, man?" Ashton sounded exasperated. "Emperor City's buzzing with gossip about you looking like a mess, getting beaten up in an alley without putting up a fight. Damn, I bet Lane spread those rumors to make you look bad!

With all the drama surrounding the Lippert family already, if you, the head of the family, stir up more scandal, investors will run for the hills."

Ludwik's brows furrowed, his gaze icy.

Ashton pressed, "Do you remember anything from last night?"