Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 855

Wade was fuming, his voice spiked with frustration as he listened to the thinly veiled threats coming from the other end of the line. "You expect me to bail you out of your own mess with a whopping two hundred billion? With what, exactly? Remember how we rode the wave of Inko Group's success, boasting about having the latest tech in our hands? Orders poured in from all over the globe, and Patrick Group even teamed up with a bunch of arms dealers.

If I don't pay those guys back ASAP, you think I'll still be breathing? We're talking arms dealers from the Middle East here!

This whole mess is your doing! You never should've confronted Phineas Wilson yesterday. If you hadn't, that recording wouldn't have leaked. You've dragged me down with you, now the elite circles think I'm just as disposable to Phineas as you are! Damn it, I haven't even started on you and you have the gall to ask me for money? Get lost."

With those harsh words, Wade was ready to hang up.

Bryce's face went pale, his teeth clenched in anger. "So, that's it, Wade? After everything I've done for you, you're just going to cut ties? Believe me, if I spill everything, you'll regret it!"

"Go ahead, spill." Wade was beyond caring, his warning laced with venom. "You better watch your own back, Bryce. Do you honestly think Ludwik will let you off after what you've done to him? Your days are numbered!"

Bryce clung to the car window, a bitter smirk on his lips despite the despair in his eyes. "Done for? We'll see about that. But remember this, Wade, you abandon me now, I'll make sure to return the favor. Just you wait."

"I'd love to see what you've got left to throw at Ludwik," Wade scoffed, clearly doubting Bryce's words before hanging up.

Deflated like a burst balloon, Bryce slumped in his seat, hurling his phone in frustration. "Damn it...to hell with all of them...No, get my secretary. I need to see Florence, and I need to see her now!"

-

At the Sheldon Group, it was well past closing time. Whitney had just wrapped up a marathon of meetings and was about to pack up for the day when Ludwik's call came through.

Tiana, spotting the caller ID, gave Whitney a meaningful smirk.

Whitney shot her a look and answered the phone with a calm, "Hello?"

On the other end, Ludwik's deep voice was even more composed than hers. "Whitney, I'm downstairs at your office."

"Oh. But I was about to..." Whitney started, intending to drop Tiana off at Delight Mansion first.

"You were about to what?" Tiana grabbed the phone, speaking directly into it, "Ludwik, Whitney's got nothing on her plate tonight. Feel free to whisk her away. You two have been strategizing non-stop against Bryce, and the kids just moved to the Lippert family estate from Delight Mansion. Whitney's probably missing them like crazy and planning a visit."

"Tiana..." Whitney was almost grinding her teeth at her friend's forwardness.

Ludwik's voice, laced with a hint of laughter, cut in, "Thanks, Ms. Melford, for understanding. I was indeed thinking it's time for Whitney to see her sons. Maybe she and I should make a trip to my grandmother's?"

Whitney frowned, not responding immediately.

It wasn't until Tiana shoved her bag into her hands and nudged her towards the office exit that Whitney finally said, "Wait for me. Three minutes."

"I'd wait an eternity for you, Whitney. To pick you up after work," Ludwik replied, his laughter low and intimate.

Pushed into the elevator by Tiana, Whitney's gaze met her friend's playful look, and she felt her cheeks warm, shooting Tiana a glare, "What's this now, Tiana? Playing matchmaker for us?"

"Who, me? Never!" Tiana, ever the protective sister, quickly denied, pouting, "I just think with you and Ludwik teaming up so well lately, you guys deserve to celebrate your victory. Even if you don't get back together, being allies has its perks. Go on, no need to be so shy." With a sigh, Whitney resigned herself to the situation. Her last argument with Ludwik had been over protecting Tiana from Parker Doonan's schemes, leading to a fierce blow-up.

Since then, their communication had been strictly via email, with Ludwik guiding her on how to undermine Bryce's foundations at Sheldon Group, which she followed to the letter.

Their plan had finally come to fruition today, exposing Bryce completely.

With mixed feelings, Whitney stepped out of the building to find Ludwik waiting by a sleek, understated Rolls-Royce. He was a striking figure against the night sky, his well-cut features and tall frame as imposing and handsome as ever. Despite the years and countless glances, Whitney had to admit, he still made her heart skip a beat. She averted her gaze as Ludwik opened the car door for her, gracefully getting in.

Just then, Zayne from the Sky-Surprise Inn project called, reporting on the day's progress. "Ms. Valentine, rest assured, the three hundred billion is securely invested in the project. Bryce showed up with a horde of bodyguards, trying to strong-arm the funds from me. But we managed to chase him off with the help of the construction crew. Luckily, a bunch of journalists were on site, capturing his disgrace. He had no choice but to flee!"

Whitney raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised by the turn of events.

"Good job, Zayne," she praised him.

Zayne, a bit embarrassed, started to say, "Actually, the idea was-"

Ludwik, steering the car, let out a soft cough, signaling his presence.

Zayne caught on, immediately falling silent.

"Actually what?" Whitney asked, curious, as she browsed the latest news on her phone.

"Ah, it's nothing, really. I'll keep you posted on any developments. The hotel project is stable for now."

"Alright. In time, I'll ensure Bryce is removed from the project," Whitney said coolly, her attention caught by a breaking news alert. She quickly ended the call to check the details.

Bryce was in a real pickle, looking like he had just walked out of a bar brawl gone wrong. Picture this: a crowd of at least a hundred people surrounding him, camera flashes chasing after him like he was some sort of Hollywood scandal. And there he was, his face a mix of panic and anger, egg dripping down his cheeks like some slapstick comedy gone wrong. He looked fierce, almost demonic under the harsh lights, before he finally made his escape into his car and sped off into the night.

The comments online were brutal: "Bryce is like the town's pariah now."

"Serve him right. You mess with women today, and they'll have your head. Domestic abusers have no place to hide!"

"I heard he was trying to reclaim his billion-dollar investment, but got a beatdown from the construction crew because Whitney had already put his money to good use!"

"Wasn't he the one who went after Mr. Sheldon first, trying to take over the Sheldon Group? Deserves what he gets, if you ask me."

Whitney couldn't help but relish in the comments.

The man sitting next to her, whom she had been blatantly ignoring, shot her a look that could chill a room.

That snapped Whitney out of her reverie.

She glanced over, finding Ludwik's gaze fixed on her, his chiseled profile casting shadows in the dim light, looking somewhat ominous.

"What's wrong?" Whitney asked, her voice tentative, not quite comfortable under his dark scrutiny. She shifted in the passenger seat, unease making her fidget.

Ludwik's eyes followed her every move, his voice dropping to a frosty tone, "Whitney, why didn't you tell me about Bryce filling the villa with surveillance cameras?" "Huh?" Whitney turned to face him, sensing his anger.

Ludwik's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles white with tension, "Has that creep installed cameras in your bedroom and bathroom too? Watching you every day!" Whitney was speechless.