Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 696

Ludwik paused, a hint of bitterness in his voice, "I might not be able to fix it, but I'll give it a shot."

Father and son stepped out of the living room.

Ashton was lounging on the couch, surrounded by a cloud of smoke. He cracked a smile and waved at Danny before turning to his bodyguard, "Drive the young master home."

Ludwik stood on the porch, watching his son's car fade into the night. The darkness seemed to deepen the brooding intensity in his eyes.

His figure, statuesque and imposing.

To Danny, his dad didn't seem like a man battling an incurable disease.

What kind of wounds did he bear?

As the car disappeared, Ashton's gaze sharpened, "Ludwik, think of it this way, Danny coming over was Whitney's doing.

She probably couldn't stand seeing you like this anymore."

"I get it," Ludwik replied, hands in his pockets, turning to look at Ashton. The icy resolve in his eyes was now mixed with a fierce pride, "Danny snapped me out of it. I don't want to be looked down upon by Whitney."

"That's the spirit!" Ashton clapped him on the back. "With your skills, even if reclaiming the top spot in Harmonia Country is a stretch, becoming a billionaire is well within reach. And who says getting back to the top is impossible?"

"Tomorrow, I'll head back to the Lippert family. The old man must be furious by now. He mentioned something about the Inko Group trying to secure a deal. Also, get in touch with the Nelson Group for me. Shane has been playing neutral between the Lippert and the Patrick families. He's shrewd but decent. He helped me out last time. I owe him a personal thank you."

Ashton understood the subtext; it wasn't just about gratitude.

His lips curled slightly, "In this situation, if you could win him over, that'd be great."

-

Tiana had been tailing Bryce for two days straight. He had been punctual to work and back, until today, he finally visited that infamous club.

Disguised as a waitress, she slipped into the night.

The club, a Patrick family venture, was a notorious hotspot for the city's elite to indulge in debauchery.

The underbelly of the club was shocking to Tiana.

Finding out that Jarvis was the man behind it all, she realized his and Wade's intentions to not just drain the wealthy of their riches but also control key political figures.

Bryce's easy access to this exclusive club meant he was connected to either Jarvis or Wade.

Tiana was stunned.

Could Bryce's rapid rise in Emperor City be attributed to the Patrick family's illicit support?

Had he played a part in the downfall of the Lippert family?

Her speculation sent chills down her spine.

The deeper she dug into Bryce, the more sinister his facade seemed.

"The boss and Mr. Lutz are here, everyone to the front to welcome them, line up the new girls!" the manager shouted.

Tiana, hiding in a corner, listened intently.

The scumbag had arrived.

She watched from a distance as Bryce and Jarvis jovially entered the grand suite, the club's most private and lavish space.

Tiana slipped a micro camera into the suite's door frame then quickly changed into a cleaner's outfit to access the surveillance room.

After a bit of tinkering, she left the surveillance room, her laptop in hand.

In a hidden corner, she booted up her laptop.

Soon, the grand suite's live feed appeared on her screen.

The camera's limited angle still captured the debauched scene within.

Blond bombshells and elegant ladies sprawled across couches, with men atop them.

Among these men was Bryce, his once gentle face now unrecognizable.

"Damn." Tiana's face drained of color, her sense of decency utterly violated.

Bryce's face was twisted in pleasure as he whipped one of the women.

Jarvis, smoking a cigarette and unbuckling his belt, sneered, "Never would've guessed, Mr. Lutz. Thought you'd be uncomfortable with this. Must've been repressed too long under Whitney's shadow, eh?" Bryce's eyes gleamed darkly, a shadow of malice passing over him, "I just pretend she's Whitney."

The mockery in Jarvis's voice was palpable, "That woman's been worn out by Ludwik before you, still satisfying?"

As Bryce exerted more force, the woman's screams filled the room, momentarily quelling his inner demons.

He masked his frustration at not yet possessing Whitney, scoffing, "Whitney is a rare beauty."

"Sure... let me know when you're done with her," Jarvis laughed, a clear provocation.

Bryce glared at him, biting back his anger.

If not for the need to stay in Jarvis's good graces for his future plans, he would've lashed out.

But for now, he endured, even as they mocked his wife.

Such parties were not to his usual taste, yet he couldn't deny the thrill, the unrestricted power over women.

One day, he mused, Jarvis and Wade would be beneath him.

As he fantasized about Whitney's beautiful face, his satisfaction grew...

Back at her computer, Tiana was seething, the soda can crumpling in her grip.

What kind of man was Bryce, allowing his wife to be a topic of such vulgarity?

Was he even human, or just a dog in disguise?

Their depravity was enough to make her physically ill.

Compared to Bryce, Ludwik seemed like a saint.

Thank goodness Whitney hadn't fallen for Bryce yet. Imagine if she caught something from him, that would be a real nightmare.

Tiana, fighting back a wave of disgust, quickly zoomed in on Bryce's face, trying to copy the scandalous video.

In the VIP lounge, there was a sudden knock on the door-

Jarvis pushed the girl away and lazily adjusted his jeans, heading to the door, "What's the hassle now?"

"Jarvis! Looks like someone hacked into the club's surveillance."

"What?" Jarvis's laid-back attitude vanished as he opened the door.

Bryce stopped in his tracks, frowning and coldly bellowing at the girl and the other rich kids, "Everyone, get out."

As the crowd dispersed, Jarvis called in his security, "You sure the surveillance got hacked?"

"Yes, the tech room reported that the internet's been dragging, and the feeds are lagging behind.

With all the 'business' we run here, the tech guys are on high alert. They reported the anomaly to you immediately."

Jarvis's face darkened, "Then what are you waiting for? Find the hacker, now!"

Security sprang into action.

Bryce straightened his shirt, returning to his suave and gentle demeanor, though a hint of irritation lingered in his eyes. He spoke seriously, "Nolan, we must find this hacker. My comings and goings here can't be leaked."