Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 869

The child was his and Whitney's-an offspring of love and betrayal, a living symbol of his affection for Whitney, the woman he loathed and adored in equal measure. Surely, his feelings for Whitney would extend to this innocent life, wouldn't it? Bryce watched Ludwik, noting the chill in his tone, and couldn't help but smirk, his grip tightening around his glass of bourbon. Ludwik's frustration was music to his ears, a clear sign that he held the winning card. Indeed, Ludwik wanted the child alive, cradled in the womb of life.

This meant Bryce still had a fighting chance.

Moreover, once Florence reached Eurovoria, if he could somehow connect with her, it'd be like hitching his wagon to a star.

He was far from defeated.

Bryce had his men fortify the mansion's gates, then flung open a window, laughing derisively at Ludwik's handsome, icy visage, "Hurts, doesn't it? Finding out that's your kid, but with Florence, and Florence under my control! Enjoy your misery.

Ludwik, you've dragged me through hell, so I'll make sure your family will never be whole again!

Where's Florence now? Dig the earth three feet deep, and you still won't find her.

By the time you're onto something, that child will be nothing but a memory, haha!"

A vein snapped in Ludwik's brain at that.

Rage blazed from his icy eyes as he kicked the ornate gate down, towering over the guards.

Bryce, sensing Ludwik's terrifying intent, thought he was about to barge in and capture him.

He had underestimated Ludwik's ruthlessness before.

A flicker of panic crossed Bryce's eyes, but he steadied himself, threatening, "Don't think about going down with the ship, Ludwik!

Come any closer, and I swear I'll end your child's life tonight. I can make sure the six-month-old fetus doesn't see the morning!"

Ludwik froze, as if struck by an invisible force, his imposing figure silhouetted against the dark, looming over Bryce like a demon of the night.

Sammy's voice broke through from below, "Daddy! Daddy, please don't..."

They all knew the life of the unborn child hung by Bryce's mere words.

It was a gamble too risky to take.

Impulsivity was not an option, not tonight.

Ludwik, with a defeated leap backward, his gaze glacial.

He gave Bryce a sinister smile, "Enjoy your temporary victory. You think you've got me cornered? I'll make sure you taste the agony of slow ruin, of living a life worse than death. Let's see how long you last." He couldn't afford to gamble.

Nor could Bryce, apparently, using the child's life as leverage.

But how long could his child survive in Florence's belly? He was uncertain.

Too many uncontrollable variables.

His only choice was to unearth Florence.

Ludwik embraced Sammy, and they strode away from Bryce's mansion.

Sammy trembled in his father's arms, "Daddy, do you think Florence really left the country?"

Ludwik's voice was soft but hollow, "We'll wait for Mr. Doonan's final word."

"I... I think I messed up," Sammy sobbed, regretting not speaking up sooner. If only he had informed his father earlier, they might have intercepted Florence.

He hadn't anticipated the misinformation being a trap set by Bryce.

"It's not your fault. Maybe it's fate. Daddy will bring your sister back, despite the hurdles," Ludwik reassured, patting Sammy's head, his voice laden with a heavy sigh.

"Okay..." Sammy, a child in his father's strong arms, wept, his heart heavy.

As dawn approached, Parker brought no good news.

He approached Ludwik with a somber expression, whispering, "She might have been smuggled out of the country before we even started searching the black freighters. I'm sorry, Ludwik, I've looked everywhere." Ludwik had braced for the worst.

Florence had vanished beyond borders.

Like a bird set free, her whereabouts were now a mystery, and Bryce's meticulous planning seemed almost flawless.

Had he gone through all this trouble just to leverage the child, or was there another motive?

Ludwik's heavy form sank into the office sofa, his mind racing through the night.

The next day, the Lippert Group launched a new product, hosting a sales conference attended by top aerospace firms from Harmonia Country, all vying for the technology's license.

Ludwik, fresh from a shower in the break room, his rugged charm undiminished by fatigue, a hint of menace in his gaze, focused and ready.

He roused Sammy, "Son?"

Sammy woke to his father's deep voice, his eyes still bearing the traces of tears.

Ludwik frowned, fetching a warm towel for Sammy's face.

"We can't let your mommy see you like this," he instructed gently.

Sammy nodded, looking up, "Our secret."

"Daddy has his ways to make Bryce talk. Just wait."

For the first time, Sammy felt the profound strength of being someone's son.

Accustomed to solving problems on his own and protecting his mom, he realized he was just a kid, his efforts falling short.

"Shake off those heavy thoughts, okay? Son," Ludwik said, cupping Sammy's face firmly.

"Okay." Sammy managed a small smile, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.

Outside, Jason and Erin Lippert knocked, signaling it was time for Ludwik to lead the sales conference.

The family was buoyant with hope.

The Lippert family was poised for a triumphant comeback, rising from the ashes in just two months.

Ludwik got his son all bundled up, cradling him before handing him over to Felix, a towering figure with a stern expression, "Take the young master back to the Lipperts. Don't have Whitney worried sick." "Right away, Mr. Lippert," Felix acknowledged.

Back at the Lippert's manor...

As soon as Sammy walked in, he found his mom, Whitney, sitting on the living room couch with her purse, looking all set to leave, just like a guest ready to head out.

Upon seeing him, his mom stood up in an instant and approached him, "All done with Ludwik's errands?"

Sammy found himself instinctively avoiding his mom's piercing, clear hazel eyes.

He knew his mom too well. She probably didn't buy their story from last night.

"Mom..."

"Come out with it," Whitney gently stepped outside, a smile playing on her lips, "Mom's got a question for Sammy."

Sammy internally sighed but managed a casual smile, "What's up?"

Whitney went straight to the point, "What exactly were you and Ludwik up to last night? I didn't tail you guys, but I'm sure there was no emergency with the Lippert Group. I checked with your grandfather, and today's product launch went off without a hitch." Trying to maintain his composure, Sammy's eyes momentarily betrayed his sadness before he quickly masked it with a mischievous smile, "Mom, do you really want to know?"

"Absolutely! What are you and Ludwik keeping from me?"