Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 767

"Bryce!" Ludwik's husky voice took on a chilling note, "After all this, you can't tell me you still see Bryce the same way?

Come on, Whitney, you're not one to be easily fooled. In fact, you're sharp as a tack.

Didn't it ever cross your mind to dig a little into Audrey's background?"

Whitney clenched her fists. She wanted to investigate, but feared it would alert them to her suspicions, so she was trying to figure out a subtler way to learn more about Bryce. Ludwik narrowed his eyes at her, "Have you never suspected that Audrey and Bryce might be having an affair?"

Whitney was taken aback.

What was he implying?

Did he mean to suggest that Audrey and Bryce... might be involved?

Her mind stalled for a moment. Audrey's behavior had raised some doubts, but she didn't believe Bryce was the type to stray. So... it hadn't really crossed her mind. "Why would you say that?" Whitney asked.

Ludwik took her hand, his laugh cold, "I did a little digging for you.

Audrey hasn't been in Emperor City for more than two months, yet she's already bought property and a car.

Where would a secretary get that kind of money if not from some wealthy benefactor?

I found out that her Tesla, the one involved in the accident, was actually a gift from Bryce, officially as a reward from the Lutz Group."

Whitney felt a chill run down her spine. She remembered Sawyer mentioning yesterday that Audrey couldn't afford to buy property and a car on her own.

And if Bryce really did gift Audrey the car...

Then, the car's brake malfunction...

"Bryce gave her the Tesla, and she was driving it from the Lutz Group to see you when she was suddenly burned to death, Whitney. Who do you think is most likely to have tampered with her car?" Ludwik pressed. Whitney stiffened, "Audrey was coming to see me from the Lutz Group?"

"Yes."

A shiver ran through her.

Her face turned pale.

Ludwik tightened his grip on her wrist, his concern evident, "It's clear to an outsider, Whitney. Bryce is a master at hiding his true colors, and you're still being fooled by him.

I'm worried about you staying there. You need to get a divorce as soon as possible!"

Divorce?

The idea had nearly come up the other night after a disagreement with Bryce, but seeing him in pain, she had held back.

But whether or not to divorce wasn't Ludwik's decision to make.

She instinctively didn't want to show her unhappy marriage in front of this man. Whitney bit her lip and pulled away, "Even if what you're saying is true, that Audrey and Bryce had an affair, and the car was a gift from him, I'll find out the truth myself. But my marriage is none of your business.

Don't use this as an excuse to push me towards divorce. It won't benefit you.

Because you and I will have no connection in the rest of my life."

Ludwik's gaze darkened. How deeply had he hurt her that she didn't even want to consider giving him a chance in her future?

But the most pressing matter was to pull her away from Bryce's dangerous influence.

Yet without concrete evidence, Whitney wouldn't easily be swayed, like a lost soul committed to a path chosen, teeth shattered but swallowed all the same.

"Whitney, even if you divorce him, I won't mock you or take pleasure in it, thinking I still have a chance. I'm genuinely worried about you," Ludwik's deep eyes were earnest.

Whitney pressed her lips together, her heart fluttering with mixed emotions.

She was beginning to understand what Tiana meant-Ludwik, despite his flaws, had always been unreservedly caring towards her. His actions might have been questionable, but his intentions were for her... But Bryce... if he really was involved with Audrey.

Whitney truly hadn't seen it coming. Could he really be unfaithful? After all, he had always professed his deep love for her, waiting by her side for years, willing to wait forever.

Then again, she thought, men have their needs... If Bryce's advances were repeatedly rebuffed by her, wouldn't he seek to fulfill his needs elsewhere?

Her heart clenched.

Whitney gritted her teeth, her resolve hardening, "Enough. I'll be cautious.

I'll handle this myself."

But then-

She looked into Ludwik's penetrating gaze and frowned, "I've just moved into Bryce's place, and it's been chaotic. I feel bad for constantly leaving our children with my uncle. Since you're their father and the Lippert family seems welcoming, I think it might be good for them to stay with the Lippert family for a few days.

Of course, if it's inconvenient, I'll take them back to Delight Mansion."

Ludwik, of course, was only too pleased. Having his sons with him meant Whitney would remain connected to him.

However, his expression softened with relief, "You're worried about Bryce after all. It's best to leave the kids with me, but you need to be extra careful yourself. Anything you need to investigate, I'm here to help."

"We'll see," Whitney said, her mind in turmoil. She needed to unravel the connection between Audrey's death and Tiana's disappearance.

Gaining this shocking clue from Ludwik gave her a new perspective.

Perhaps she hadn't seen all there was to Bryce.

A chill settled in Whitney's heart.

Lost in thought, she was suddenly swept off her feet by Ludwik.

"Hey, what are you doing?" she protested, trying to push him away.

But she had forgotten; he was shirtless, his muscular chest firm and warm.

Her fingertips felt scorched upon contact.

"How does that feel?" Ludwik teased with a wink, then explained, "You're practically freezing here. The kids are done playing; let's get you dried off and head back." Whitney had been eager to leave this uncomfortable situation.

Once on solid ground, she quickly stepped out of Ludwik's embrace.

But then she felt his arms around her again, wrapping a towel over her head from behind, his voice low and warm, "Stay still, let me help you dry off."

"I'm going to shower anyway..." Whitney protested, her voice laced with irritation.

"Just be a good sport, you'll catch a cold if you don't dry off properly."

He coaxed her with a gentleness usually reserved for soothing a child.

Whitney's ears might as well have been buzzing with anxiety, fearing that any further resistance would result in him just pinning her down to dry her off forcefully. So, with a resigned silence, she stood there, letting his large hands move across the towel, dabbing away the droplets of water on her skin.

Then, seizing the moment, she quickly grabbed Danny and made a swift exit.

Ludwik's lips curved into a smile as he watched her bashful retreat, about to tidy up when he caught Sammy's intriguing gaze.

"Ludwik, are you still hoping to patch things up with mom?"

Sammy's eyes were a mix of indifference and wisdom, "I'd advise you to give up on that dream.

I'll give it to you, you've seemed sincere these past days, not like you're just putting on an act.

But mom's married to Uncle Bryce now, and what Danny and I care about most is her happiness. In other words, as long as she's happy, we support her decision to be with Bryce.

I'm not on your side, learn from your mistakes."

"Sammy," Ludwik wasn't deterred by his son's coldness, "Dad wants to tell you, you can't just give up easily, especially when it comes to the things, or the people, you love."

Sammy couldn't help but roll his eyes, "That's not called not giving up easily, that's called not knowing when to stop."