Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 511

"Ludwik, storming in there now is like throwing gasoline on a bonfire!"

Ludwik's eyes blazed with fury. "She's my girl. What right does Bryce have to be all over her?"

Parker was all too familiar with his jealousy and dark, possessive streak. "Do you really think Whitney will be happy to see you right now? Are you sure you want to push her over the edge? Ludwik, think about it... What's the rush? She's falling apart, with no one there for her. Look, I'll get in touch with Tiana or maybe Sandy. For now, come with me!"

Parker forcibly dragged him away. Ludwik radiated an icy chill. Felix quickly bought two bottles of water, handing them to the two men in the hallway.

Inside the room-

Bryce had already caught the faint noises at the door, his lips curling slightly, unnoticed. Whitney managed to compose herself slightly and quickly let go of Bryce, feeling the awkwardness. She coldly wiped away her tears and changed the subject, "Bryce, I'm sorry, I couldn't secure the golf course land." Bryce sat down. "Ludwik giving you a hard time, huh?"

She didn't answer, her expression frosty. "Has the Lutz Group finished relocating? What's your plan? Land in Emperor City is ridiculously expensive."

Whitney asked with regret in her voice. "Don't worry, I've got my eye on a much better piece of land, and it's almost in the bag."

Whitney looked up. "Where?"

Bryce narrowed his eyes slightly. "Right next to the Lippert Group, behind the central plaza near the CBD. There's this abandoned building there. A little cleanup, and it's prime real estate. The Lutz Group setting up there would be perfect. Remember it?"

The CBD land in Emperor City was worth its weight in gold, and Whitney had heard about that abandoned building, left to rot for over a decade. Bryce managing to acquire it? Whitney was impressed. "The Lutz Group's financial power is leagues above Skye Gem Ltd. You're incredible, snagging that piece of land everyone's had their eyes on. I had no idea you had a backup plan."

Bryce's gaze flickered, keeping how he acquired the abandoned building to himself. Someone had helped him, and why wouldn't he accept? He placed his hand on Whitney's. "Once I refurbish the building, the Lutz Group moves in, and your Skye Gem Ltd. should join us! It's a more fitting location for a jewelry company than a golf course."

Whitney knew it was better. But she hesitated, owing Bryce even more. "It's okay, I can take my time, the factory doesn't need a prime location," Whitney responded.

Bryce thought to himself, smiling. "Whitney, you need to think about your situation in Emperor City. Ludwik's engaged to Florence. And with your father like this... Honestly, us looking out for each other in Emperor City is the best scenario your uncle could've hoped for. Why not accept me?"

Whitney felt vulnerable at that moment. Learning of Sammy's kidnapping by Florence and Ludwik's indifferent engagement had shattered her. Was she to struggle alone foolishly? Changing her tone, she looked down. "Bryce, can you give me some time to think?" Bryce teased. "Thinking about accepting me? Or moving Skye Gem Ltd. to my new property?"

Whitney couldn't respond. He smiled. "Of course, I hope it's the former. But once you agree to the latter, I believe the former will eventually happen. Everything will get better, Whitney. Don't be sad."

Whitney's eyes welled up, and she nodded, glancing at the clock. "It's late, Bryce. You should head back to the hotel to rest. Heading back to Banyan City tomorrow?"

"No, I can't leave knowing you're like this. I'll stay a few more days."

Whitney didn't object, sitting on the bed, watching him leave. As Bryce stepped out of the room, he immediately saw Ludwik, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his towering figure leaning against a window, chilled by the cold wind, his gaze icy and piercing. Bryce couldn't help but smirk triumphantly as he passed Ludwik. "Mr. Lippert, you have a knack for humiliation. But you don't know, do you? Whitney's about to accept me. After all, you've left her no choice but to sink or swim."

Ludwik's icy demeanor barely shifted as he swung his fist, hitting Bryce against the wall. Parker quickly intervened. "He's not fighting back. Making a scene will only make Whitney think less of you. Enough!"

Ludwik barely calmed down, his features cold as ice, scoffing. "Bryce, keep dreaming. She'll never be yours. Want to know why?"

Bryce touched the blood at the corner of his mouth, frowning but soon smirking coldly again. "All it takes is her 'yes'. And you, Ludwik, will always be the loser in my eyes."

"Hudson's gone under. What are you after with Whitney?" Parker mocked coldly. "Don't tell me, after three years, it's just because you love her? We're all men here, from noble families. Let's not kid ourselves."

Ludwik's gaze sharpened. Bryce sneered inwardly. It was a pity about Hudson, thinking Whitney would inherit everything from the Sheldon family. But now, he was more interested in bringing Ludwik down! That was also his benefactor's goal. "I love Whitney, far more purely than you, Ludwik," Bryce said, and walked away.

Parker eyed the man's stormy expression and knew exactly what was going through Ludwik's mind. He let out a sigh. "Bryce never actually dated Whitney. Even if they did, there's no guarantee he would have treated her any better. Everyone can talk a good game. I reckon Bryce is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing, all ambition and no integrity."

Ludwik's gaze shifted towards the hospital room, his eyes cold and distant. "But she believes in Bryce. She has no idea how many times he's tried to drive a wedge between us."

"It's typical. Women are delicate; they need support. When you were giving Whitney a hard time, Bryce was there, pampering her at every turn. From now on, don't give him any openings!"

As he spoke, Parker gestured for Ludwik to sit. "Hold off on going in there. I'll go and test the waters with Whitney first. Once she's in a better frame of mind, you can visit her. I know you're eager," he said, winking knowingly at Ludwik's desire to see the pregnant Whitney. Ludwik looked away, the anger in his eyes dissipating as calm settled over him. "Tell me what happened at the scene where Hudson got shot. Also, you've got someone on Florence and Holly since they left, right?"

Parker pulled out the report from the investigation at the scene of Hudson's shooting, nodding as he did. "Holly went back to the old Sheldon family estate with the elders. Florence seemed to be under the weather; our shadow reported she was coughing all the way back to the Sheldon Mansion. She's seen a doctor, but not the female one you arranged for her before."

"A new doctor?" Ludwik frowned. "Have our guy take a photo. I want to see this doctor."

"Sure thing. The guy only brought a medical kit with him, nothing out of the ordinary," Parker reassured.

-

At the Sheldon Mansion, in Florence's bedroom, the space was filled with various medical instruments. Florence lay on the bed as Dr. Ryan extracted some of her spinal fluid, carefully preserving it in a high-tech cryogenic container. As the anesthesia wore off and Florence began to regain consciousness, she blinked her eyes open and immediately asked, "How is the child doing in your care?"