Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 302

In the dimly lit waiting room, Whitney, sporting a pair of chic black glasses, made her entrance and was soon face to face with Jaxon, accompanied by the district attorney. After the attorney went through the procedural questions and stepped out early, Jaxon, handcuffed, fixed his gaze on Whitney.

It didn't take long for him to sense something off and recognize her. His face darkened, the stubble of several days adding a menacing edge to his features. "Whitney, you've got some nerve showing up!"

He was furious, blaming Whitney for his failed attempt to flee the country.

Jaxon scoffed loudly, calling out, "Officer! There's an intruder here trying to threaten me..."

"Jaxon, I'm just a woman with no ill intentions. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for something critical concerning you," Whitney said, swiftly slipping on a pair of gloves and covering his mouth to mute his protests. After ensuring he was quiet, she released him.

"Did the Bartels family pay you a visit this afternoon? Promised to keep you quiet with the police, offering you a mansion and a fortune? Assuring that your family and Uncle Lyle's folks would be well taken care of?" she asked directly.

Jaxon stared at her intently. Indeed, the lawyer sent by Zane Bartels had made such promises, including a significant share in the Bartels Group's assets!

And, of course, there were threats. His and Lyle's families were overseas, under the Bartels' watchful eye.

With a smirk, Jaxon replied, "Thanks to you, Ms. Valentine, I ended up here. But don't worry, once the Bartels get me out, we'll settle our scores. Bryce's bodyguard beat me up yesterday, and I didn't utter a word. You won't get anything out of me today either. Your uncle? He deserves whatever's coming for killing Uncle Lyle. But let me tell you, you're not saving anyone. You'll end up behind bars with him, all part of Elaine's grand plan."

Whitney remained unfazed, offering a slight smile. "I don't know about my fate, but yours? I'm quite sure about it. Are you certain you won't end up a corpse by the time the Bartels 'rescue' you?"

Her words, laced with a chilling undertone, made Jaxon shiver. The possibility of the Bartels sacrificing him to protect their interests crossed his mind, but his arrogance reassured him. Holding many of their secrets, he doubted they'd dare harm him.

"You think your words can make me doubt the Bartels? I'm loyal to them, not you. Save your breath and leave," Jaxon said with a sneer, dismissing Whitney's attempt to sway him.

Whitney, however, wasn't in a hurry. Glancing at the door, where Bryce's hired district attorney was keeping watch, she quickly handed Jaxon a small, white pill. "What's this?" he asked, puzzled by her action.

With a sly smile, Whitney explained, "It's a drug that mimics death. Should the Bartels attempt anything, taking this will put you in a state of shock for about 12 hours, protecting you from other lethal injections. It could save your life and give you a way out." "Says who? How do I know it's not poison? The Bartels wouldn't harm me," Jaxon retorted, skeptical of her intentions.

Forcefully, Whitney pressed on, "Better safe than sorry. Keep it, no harm in that. When your life's on the line, remember my words. What's more important, loyalty or survival? I've already sent people to replace your and Lyle's families abroad. We'll soon know if they're alive or not." After whispering these words, Whitney stood up straight, leaving Jaxon with a mix of concern and defiance in his gaze.

"At your darkest moment, you'll know who to turn to," she said, handing him a note with a phone number. "Call this number if you need my help. Then destroy it."

With that, Whitney left the police station under the cover of night, her confidence unshaken that Jaxon wouldn't betray her to the Bartels.

Clutching the note and the pill, Jaxon knew the importance of keeping options open. He quickly pocketed them and returned to his cell.

Watching Jaxon securely stash away the items before retreating, Whitney left the precinct with a smirk. The night shielded her as she thanked the district attorney, a connection courtesy of Bryce. Tonight's actions would remain a secret from the Bartels, securing Jaxon as a vital witness could turn the tide in her uncle's favor.

However, the case against her uncle hit a snag. The blood test Whitney personally conducted revealed traces of a hallucinogen, not fully metabolized. Yet, the drug was nowhere to be found on the market, hinting at a sinister origin likely tied to the Bartels' medical enterprises.

Visiting her uncle in prison, Whitney had drawn a blood sample, a move that didn't go unnoticed by the Bartels family. To prevent her from using any medication as evidence, the Bartels had swiftly recalled all such drugs from the market. Producing banned substances was illegal in itself, and digging deeper into this could potentially expose more of the Bartels' dirty laundry.

With a smirk, Whitney pondered over the Bartels' extensive influence used to suppress her efforts at gathering evidence. Far from being discouraged, she felt more determined. Thinking it over, she dialed Tiana, "Hey Tiana, got any plans coming up? I need to check if the Bartels Hospital has been dabbling in banned drugs. Fancy hacking into one of their factory systems for me?"

The mention of Elaine brought back memories of three years of suffering for Tiana, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Whitney sighed silently, "Tiana, I'm back now. You've got support. Three years living like a pariah wasn't your fault; it was Elaine's. This time, it's not just about saving my uncle. I want the Bartels to start paying for what they've done. It's time to revive your hacking skills from three years ago and help me out."

Finally, Tiana took a deep breath, "With you here, I'm not afraid. I'll help you look into it secretly."

Gazing into the night, Whitney's lips curled into a smile. A sudden thought crossed her mind, "The day after tomorrow, the Imperial Gem Corporation is hosting a government project at the South City Summit. They're tendering for jewelry material suppliers, but the summit isn't just about jewelry; it's a networking event for various industries including construction. I recall your parents are in construction. Come with me. The Melford Group needs a revival, and we can't leave it in your uncle's hands forever!" Tiana's shoulders, burdened for three years, suddenly felt lighter.

Whitney wasn't just talking. She had reclaimed Skye Gem Ltd., making a high-profile comeback to assist her friends.

Was Tiana going to remain defeated by Elaine and Endora, shrinking back like a turtle?

Biting her lip, Tiana glanced at Cherry, who was oblivious and playful beside her, and at her father, who was coughing in the cramped kitchen. He too had once been a man of stature. "Yeah, I'll go," she breathed deeply.

After hanging up, Whitney drove off into the night.

In the mansion, a bunch of nurses headed to Elaine's room as she hadn't come down for dinner.

Sammy glanced upstairs, then at his dad sitting with him at the dinner table, occasionally striking up a conversation. Without the wicked woman around, dinner felt particularly pleasant. After eating, he remembered he had things to do.

"Um, Dad, I'm gonna go out back to walk off this meal. Don't worry about me!"

Ludwik, walking up the stairs with a video conference already dialed in, saw his son pull something out of his backpack and dash off faster than a rabbit.

What was he up to?