Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 857

"Did I say something wrong? Did it remind you of something?"

His voice grew more enticingly husky, his gaze wickedly smoldering as it swept over her.

Images of that chaotic night a few days ago flashed uncontrollably through Whitney's mind, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, her fingers trembling and curling as she snorted, "Are you referring to those moments of displeasure and helplessness you had?" Ludwik's powerful legs nearly slammed down on the accelerator in response.

His handsome face darkened instantly.

With dangerously pursed lips, Ludwik warned, "Whitney, I'm still in recovery. Don't give up on me. That night was exceptional for you, and even the strongest of men might have been drained by you." "Shut up." Why did he have to so blatantly bring up that night?

Whitney could hardly hold back, covering half of her blushing face with her hand, gritting her teeth, "You have no right to talk about me like that, especially knowing how powerful Bryce's concoction was..."

"Sorry, I know." His frown softened into a low, teasing grin, "But you started it. You can't deny that despite a few discomforts, I did pretty well that night. Forgive a man who's healing. Baby, it'll get better soon, and then maybe we can try again..." "Ludwik! Watch the road!"

As the car filled with an awkward tension, Whitney, flustered, quickly changed the subject, pointing ahead.

She was embarrassed.

Ludwik secretly smirked, amused by how someone who was already a mother could still react like a shy girl.

However, he didn't want to smooth-talk his way into making her think his intentions were purely for intimacy. He wanted to win her back, purely.

"Baby, stop mocking my prowess, and we'll be fine, okay? Otherwise, you might not be able to handle it if I get rough."

Ludwik shamelessly quirked an eyebrow, his warning delivered with mock solemnity.

Whitney was speechless. If he weren't so handsome, she'd have kicked him out of the car by now.

"Can't even take a joke..."

"Excuse me?!"

Whitney silently turned her gaze to the window, shifting the topic, "Bryce was outmaneuvered by you, forced to pull back from the construction site. He won't let go of that $30 billion easily. I heard Fortu-Nova Bank is pressing him hard for repayments. Do you think he'll turn to Wade for help? You said he's Wade's lapdog, holding many secrets of the Patrick Group. If Wade felt threatened and lent him money..."

Worry crept into her features.

Ludwik remained unfazed, squeezing her slightly cold hand reassuringly, "Don't worry. Bryce has got you on edge lately. Think about it, when the rabbit dies, the dog is cooked. Wade would never help Bryce now, I'm certain of it." Whitney looked at his chiseled profile, "How can you be so sure?"

Ludwik's lips curved in a calm smile, "Ashton Fuller found out that Wade, through collaborations with the Inko Group, signed several deals with arms dealers in the Middle East. Now, with the products faulty and unable to hit the market, those dealers demand compensation from the Patrick Group for massive breach fees. Wade won't pay anyone but can't afford not to pay the arms dealers. He's too busy dealing with his own problems to bother with Bryce. Let these two dogs bite each other, tearing each other apart would save me the trouble of doing it myself."

Admiring the cunning arc of his lips, Whitney shivered slightly.

He had everything so thoroughly planned out, holding all the cards.

Indeed, even close relatives scatter during major disasters. Wade, being as shrewd as he is, wouldn't be manipulated by Bryce now. As Ludwik rises, these two, once conspirators, are unlikely to band together.

Ludwik had considered the fracturing of alliances.

Whitney was somewhat impressed by his strategic foresight, feeling a bit relieved, "As long as Wade doesn't support Bryce, Bryce will be left stranded. Failing to repay Fortu-Nova Bank, the Lutz Group will soon be frozen out, and with those breach fees, he could go bankrupt in half a month."

"Why wait half a month?" Ludwik toyed with her fingertips, his smile both pleased and merciless, "I'll have him drained dry within a week! Now he's become Emperor City's most notorious figure, isn't this the fame he desired?"

-

Inside Bryce's mansion.

He frantically secured all doors and windows, ordering his bodyguards to tightly guard the villa from any paparazzi.

On his way home, Bryce had already spotted several vehicles of the paparazzi digging for his address!

The man darkly poured himself a glass of red wine, ignoring the cuts on his lips and face as he gulped it down.

The alcohol stung his wounds, causing Bryce to roar in pain.

He etched this pain and humiliation deeply, vowing repeatedly in his mind: "Ludwik... Ludwik! Whitney, I will tear you both to pieces."

Just two months of negligence nearly destroyed the business empire he had painstakingly built over years.

Now, the Lutz Group was on the verge of crumbling...

But he wasn't going down that easily. It wasn't over yet!

"Mr. Lutz, Florence is here," his secretary announced softly at the door.

"Bring her in!" Bryce grabbed another sip of wine, suddenly bursting into a sinister laugh.

Florence was brought in by three bodyguards, her pregnant belly prominent. Her delicate face was pale, but she bit her lip in defiance, glaring at Bryce, "Since the incident at your company yesterday, you've barred me from going to the Sheldon Group for work, and now you've locked me up. What's the meaning of this?"

"It's for your protection," Bryce smirked cryptically, pouring another glass of wine.

Florence was quick on her feet, always ready to shift with the wind. "Mr. Lutz, even if I've been living under a rock, the rumors about your troubles have reached me loud and clear on my way here..."

"Zip it, I'm not down and out yet! We're still in this together, thick as thieves. I haven't called off our partnership, and you can forget about ever getting rid of me."

Bryce, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and rage, stepped closer, gripping Florence's chin firmly. He struggled to contain the anger Florence's disdain sparked in him. His eyes, blazing red, suddenly cracked into a sinister smile, cold and menacing. "I'm in hot water, so naturally, I've got to ensure you're safe first.

Because Whitney will be coming after you next, seeking vengeance for her father.

You're my ace in the hole, my precious card... Listen, you're heading out of the country tonight, off to Eurovoria to meet that lady from the Inko Group. This is Whitney's hair - you know how to get close to that woman now, right? Get a good makeover, change up your face a bit, and you'll pass off as someone else easily."

As Florence listened to his scheme, she realized her moment had come.

She was also eager to dive in. Bryce had already done his homework, gathering all the intel on that woman discreetly.

Florence was looking forward to it!