Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Keegan's expression was grave, "Ashton, whether you recognize me or not, I know you're here to bail out Ludwik. Let me warn you, it won't be as easy this time. It would be better for you to persuade him to come clean, to reveal where Whitney is!"

"I'm aware of who you are, Mr. Tennyson. I... will talk to Ludwik," Ashton said, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Danny?" Keegan's gaze caught the small figure hiding behind Ashton.

Danny shuddered, "Uncle Grandpa."

"Come here, child. Come with Uncle Grandpa," Keegan beckoned, guilt-ridden. "These past few days, your Uncle Bryce and I have been tirelessly searching for your mom, failing to bring you with us."

Danny glanced at the impeccably dressed Bryce, tilting his head slightly away from Ashton.

Avoiding Keegan's hopeful gaze, "Uncle Grandpa, I'm sorry..."

"Do you still want to stay by Ludwik's side, even after everything that's happened?" Keegan was visibly agitated.

"Uncle, please calm down," Bryce soothed Keegan, then looked at Danny, "The kid has been staying at Whitney's mansion, under the care of a nanny. The nanny works for me. Once we find Whitney, Danny will naturally come over."

His words helped Keegan breathe easier, his gaze filled with worry as he looked at Danny, "Kid, keep in touch with me."

"Yes, Uncle Grandpa..."

As Bryce escorted Keegan away, his cold gaze briefly swept over Ashton.

Ashton, locking eyes with the man, couldn't help but recall. Bryce's reputation had soared recently, often featured in finance magazines. Especially since the Lutz Group's move to Emperor City, quickly climbing to the top tier of businesses, with Bryce being named a notable entrepreneur just last week!noveldrama

Ashton's impression of him had always been of a gentle and scholarly man, always seen with a smile. Yet today, dressed in a stark black suit, his gentle features seemed to cast a chilling aura under the sunlight.

Ashton had a feeling; Bryce was not the same man he remembered from three years ago. He was far from simple.

"Bro." Nolan called him.

Ashton turned away, striding inside.

After some negotiating, Danny couldn't visit Ludwik, so Nolan stayed outside with him.

Ten minutes later, Ashton was sitting across from Ludwik in the interrogation room. Ludwik's expression was icy, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Ashton sighed, looking into his bloodshot eyes, "Lud, I don't have much sway here in Emperor City. Felix tried pleading with the Nelson family, and it took all we had just to see you."

"The Patrick family is pressuring from above, right?"

Ludwik's handsome face darkened with a hint of self-mockery, realizing the extent to which he had fallen, requiring Shane's intervention.

"Yeah, the Patrick family and Jarvis would love to see you rot in jail. They're the top family now. Your uncle, the Nelsons, they wouldn't dare confront them directly. Honestly, if you don't cooperate, I can't get you out."

Ludwik's gaze hardened, a cold laugh barely escaping as he struggled with the idea, "Cooperating with the police means revealing Whitney's whereabouts, right?"

Ashton hesitated, avoiding Ludwik's bitter smile. He looked away, "The fact is, you took Whitney. Bryce and Keegan, along with the employees of Skye Gem Ltd., they can't reach her. Bryce didn't report it before. But now, with the Lippert family involved, facing internal and external troubles, Bryce and Keegan, together with all the staff from Skye Gem Ltd., have reported it. Bryce is not afraid of you anymore."

Ludwik clenched his jaw, veins bulging on his hand.

He had anticipated this moment on the island on their last night together. The painful kiss, the lingering look, fearing he might never hold onto her again.

"Ludwik, just tell us. Whitney's been missing for a month, her family can't bear it anymore. Besides, you can't hide her forever; it's hurting her too. Think about it, after spending a whote month together, do you think Whitney can simply return to how things were with Bryce?"

Ashton prodded where it hurt most, hoping to persuade him, "We're all men here. Deep down, no man

would be okay with this. Bryce, living with this thorn, can't possibly continue with Whitney. Ignoring

everything else, the ridine

these past few days, do you think he could stand being mocked?"

Ludwik's jaw twitched slightly at Ashton's words, seizing the moment to press on, "If you're still undecided, think about the Lippert family. It's in shambles now. Did you know Justin was left brain-damaged by Jarvis? Your father's stroke hasn't improved, your grandmother is eighty, and the Lippert Group is facing penalties for breaching chip contracts. Do you think your uncle can lead effectively? And Parker, how will you investigate his fate if you don't get out?"

Ludwik seemed to snap back to reality, his eyes flashing with determination, "Parker, I've failed him."

"Don't apologize, finding him is what matters!"

After a moment of silence, Ludwik suddenly asked, "What about Tiana? Did she come? I need to see her."

"Tiana and her daughter were injured a few days ago; they're still in the hospital. She's eager to see you too. She must know something about Parker."

Ever since they were attacked a few days ago, it was Parker who saved them. Ludwik bit his lip, his eyes tightly shut.

"Fine... I'll tell you where she is." He didn't know how he managed to get those words out.

But it was for him that Parker got into trouble, and the Lippert family's business suffered because of him.

He couldn't just stand by; he had to help them.

Caught between love and unavoidable responsibilities, he had once again let down Whitney, betraying both her and himself...

"I know it hurts, but this is obsession, man.

Think about it, as long as Whitney is alive, why worry about winning back a woman?

But if you don't hold onto the Lippert family's foundation, you're done for, and you won't even be able to compete with Bryce."

Ashton's words stung him, Ludwik's pupils darkened, lost.

He had always been a master strategist in the business world. They had even succeeded in developing the new chip, but Justin turned out to be a mole.

Suddenly, it felt like all weapons were pointed at him, so unexpectedly.

The Patrick family had been plotting for too long. He should never have underestimated them - Jarvis, and Bryce...

Ludwik clenched his fists, his mood dark and stormy.

On the island, the noon sun shone on the palm trees.

Whitney wandered around the island, looking for a chance to escape, but her heart clearly wasn't in it.

Ludwik had been gone for over a day now.

Logically, she should feel relieved, eat well, sleep well, and no longer worry about him forcing himself on her.

But last night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Whitney wondered if she had developed a trauma; otherwise, why would she remember the way he looked at her when he left, so dark and heavy?

Her mind was restless, worrying something might have happened to him. He had left in such a hurry.