Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 794

Whitney swiftly removed her headset, whispering in a hushed tone, "Sammy, don't let this get out and don't get involved anymore. Stick to kid stuff, Mommy will look after herself. Even if it's risky, Mommy has to stay." She grew increasingly suspicious of Tiana's disappearance, strongly suspecting Bryce was behind it.

But what exactly happened?

To find Tiana, she knew she had to go through with it.

"Ryder, I need you to find me some tiny cameras, if Bryce can plant them around his mansion, so can I," Whitney instructed with furrowed brows.

Ryder blinked, nodding, "Alright, Ms. Valentine, I'll be off then. Take care of yourself."

Just as Whitney returned to the living room, Bryce emerged, his genteel eyes scanning behind her, "Is your assistant already leaving? Haha, it's the first time we have a guest at home, I wanted to invite him for dinner." Whitney looked at him, forcing a smile, "He's just an assistant, he'd feel awkward staying for dinner. Besides, I've hardly ever had the pleasure of Mr. Lutz's cooking, how could I possibly share that with someone else?" Bryce was surprised by her teasing smile.

His eyes gleaming, he asked, "Whitney, you're not mad at me anymore, are you?"

His hands reached out, wanting to grasp her smaller ones.

Looking at his gentle face, smiling with his eyes, Whitney shivered inside.

Thinking back, since she met Bryce, this spring-breeze demeanor of his never changed. He always appeared to be silently waiting for her, loyally devoted to love, not counting any loss.

Yet, it was this 'good man' who secretly filled their home with cameras to watch her.

The thought itself was chilling.

Had Bryce changed over the past three years, or was the Bryce from three years ago always this adept at hiding, and she just never noticed?

If Audrey was indeed killed by him, a woman who had been involved with him, disposed of as easily as saying it.

How terrifying could such a man be? Did he know what love is?

He professed his deep love for her, claiming he couldn't lose her.

But if, as Ludwik said, Bryce's current patience was only to win her back and then seek revenge...

The thought made Whitney's blood run cold. What fate would befall her then?

Seeing her silent, Bryce narrowed his eyes, studying her, "Whitney, are you still angry with me?

Don't worry, from now on, I'll treat you like a princess.

I'll come back from work early and cook dinner for you myself.

I'll treat your family like my own, caring for your dad and uncle, and looking after your assistant, okay?"

"Hmm..."

Listening to his 'touching words', Whitney felt nothing but repulsion and disgust.

But she had to endure, she had to act, to see who could outplay whom.

She smiled softly, changing the subject, "Is dinner ready then? Do you need a hand?"

"How could I let my wife lift a finger? Just sit here and wait, it'll be ready soon."

Bryce walked affectionately into the kitchen.

He closed the glass door, then immediately dialed a trusted contact, "Check out the Sheldon Group for an assistant named Ryder."

Whitney had never brought work home before, let alone bring an assistant into their home...

Just seconds later, his contact replied, "Mr. Lutz, the Sheldon Group indeed has an employee named Ryder."

Bryce ended the call, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Later that night, after dinner, Whitney returned to her bedroom to work when Ludwik suddenly called.

"Whitney, Sammy told me you moved back in with Bryce?"

Ludwik's cold voice carried a hint of anger, "After all he's done to you, why would you go back?"

"Why? Because he's my husband, this is my home."

Whitney quickly glanced around the room, at the sockets, those places, and spoke with feigned indifference.

Ludwik's angry breathing came through, "You know, domestic violence happens either zero or countless times, I won't allow you to get hurt..."

"Ludwik, what are you joking about? The hurt I've received has always been from you.

Compared to a slap on the face, haven't you driven daggers through my heart before?" Whitney's tone was indifferent.

The man was momentarily speechless, his heart aching, before he rasped, "Baby, that was my fault, but don't act on a whim and put yourself next to someone as malicious as Bryce..."

"That's enough, you don't need to worry about me." Whitney cut him off, fearing he might say more, and ended the call.

Ludwik was unaware of her reasons for staying.

To avoid leaking any information, she decided not to explain.

On the other end, Ludwik's gaze turned icy as he stared at the hung-up call, infuriated by her.

Sammy hadn't clarified why she went back to Bryce's?

Just the night before, Danny mentioned she was considering divorce, yet she changed her mind the next day. Could she still have feelings for Bryce?

The thought made Ludwik even more frustrated.

His stern face turned ashen.

Just then, the office door knocked, and Felix entered, a hint of joy on his face, "Mr. Lippert, the chairman of Inko Group finally responded to your meeting request. He's agreed to discuss the partnership at the Splendor Hotel tomorrow." "Really?" Ludwik's eyebrows lifted, a spark of surprise in his sharp gaze.

Since the Brew Hill banquet, he had been reaching out to Phineas, yet after missing Elodie's welcoming party, there had been no progress.

He was confident his chip technology and proposal could impress Phineas and make the Lippert family stand out.

But Phineas had been unresponsive, avoiding meetings for personal reasons, it seemed.

Unexpectedly, Phineas had now responded.

"Inform the senior management to work overtime tonight. We need to finalize the technology introduction plan for Inko Group by dawn," Ludwik commanded, his cold eyes alight with vigor.

If he could seize the opportunity with Inko Group, he could make a comeback.

He'd be able to take on Bryce again and pull Whitney out of that mess.

"Right." He looked at Felix, his gaze icy, "I asked you to gather all the dirt on Bryce's collusion with the Patrick family, and the rumors about Bryce and his secretary..."

"Mr. Lippert, I've got everything. Just a hint of this, and Bryce's genteel facade will crumble publicly," Felix said. Ludwik nodded, a cold glint in his eyes.

-

The next day at noon.

Ludwik and a few executives rushed to the Splendor Hotel. Felix had informed them that Phineas was staying there upon his return to Emperor City.

Felix had already contacted Phineas's assistant, whispering, "Mr. Wilson is in the penthouse suite, but there was something off about the assistant's voice on the phone..." "What was off?" Ludwik asked, puzzled.

Felix seemed perplexed too, "It just sounded familiar, kind of like Mr. Doonan's voice..."

Ludwik's eyes narrowed sharply. Parker?