Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 228

Bryce immediately crouched down, yelling, “Call a doctor, get me a doctor, now!”

“Oh, Hunter!” Claire wailed with tears streaming down her face.

Whitney stood by helplessly as people rushed forward in a frenzy. She had intended to check on the

old man, maybe offer first aid.

Suddenly, Claire shoved her away with a look of utter disdain. “Get away! I don’t care what kind of spell

you’ve cast on Bryce, but you must leave right now!”

“Mom, it’s not her fault. Someone’s trying to ruin our engagement party today. You can’t fall for this,”

Bryce tried to reason with his mother.

“And you dare defend this fraud, carrying another man’s child and pretending to be a Lutz? You want to

give me a heart attack?”

Claire’s health was frail, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Mom…”

“Bryce, stop it. It’s all my fault. I brought this trouble upon us. Please, take your folks to the hospital.”

Whitney’s face was ashen, her heart numb, as a suffocating despair engulfed her.

Bryce called for the doctor, and in a hurry, they loaded his parents into an ambulance.

He then managed to calm the shareholders and warned the media to hand over the photos they had

taken. Yet, some had already broadcast the chaos on the internet.

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Whitney was banished by the Lutz family, forbidden from entering the hospital or accompanying Bryce

to tend to his parents.

Chapter 228

She was escorted back to Bryce’s mansion by his bodyguard.

From noon until evening, when Bryce returned, Valerie and Tiana breathed a sigh of relief and

immediately asked, “How are your folks?”

Bryce looked towards Whitney.

“Don’t keep it from me, please don’t,” Whitney begged.

“My mother is suffering from stress, but it’s not too serious. My father has a history of heart problems;

he’s had a heart attack and is now in the ICU.”

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Whitney staggered back, unable to articulate her agony.

“This has happened, Whitney. Don’t blame yourself.”

Finally, Bryce approached, frowning as he grasped her icy hand. “But that photo… what’s the deal with

it? You and him a week ago… how could you leave such a weakness in his hands?”

“I’m so sorry, Bryce!” Whitney buried her face in her hands.

The photo was her own undoing. She could not have imagined that Ludwik could produce a paternity

test result, likely using her prenatal

samples.

He was ruthless, willing to destroy her publicly.

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She bit her lip until it bled, and suddenly, the mansion’s door was knocked upon.

The Lutz family’s butler went to answer but was startled by the sight of armed police at the door.

However, he maintained his composure and hurriedly whispered to Bryce, “Sir! There are police at the

door. They say they’re here to arrest you!”

Bryce’s expression froze, his eyes narrowing with a scoff. “It seems

someone isn’t satisfied with just ruining my family. Let’s see what this

is about.”

Whitney paled at his words,

She followed closely behind Bryce to the door.

Bryce recognized the officer and, with a calm demeanor, offered him a cigarette. “I’m not sure what

offense the Lutz Group or I have Megedy committed to warrant Officer Godfrey’s visit. No worries, I’ll

call Mc Sterling,”

Mr. Sterling was the second–in–command of the police force in Banyan City, placed there by Bryce,

He was part of the reason the Lutz Group was untouchable in Banyan City.

Officer Godfrey wiped away sweat, knowing in any other circumstance, he would be terrified by Bryce’s

words. But this time, he forced a smile and said, “Sir, please don’t make it hard for us. Banyan City

would not dare touch you, but… this arrest warrant comes from the highest authorities in Emperor City.

Your company is not under suspicion, but as a member of the advisory committee, you have a position

to answer for. There’s been a corruption scandal, and Emperor City’s military wants a full investigation.

You must come to Emperor City for questioning.”

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Bryce’s gaze grew cold.

Finally, handcuffs were produced and clicked around his wrists; he could not resist.

“What’s going on?” Whitney was frantic, holding onto his wrist. “What are you being arrested for? How

can I help you?”

Bryce reassured Whitney. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. Stay home and wait for me, don’t go anywhere!”

He was swiftly taken away in the police car, disappearing into the night.

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The Lutz family’s butler made dozens of calls. Within two hours, many influential figures had visited

Bryce’s home, but all eventually shook their heads and left.

Whitney was smart enough to tell that even these powerful people unable to help him.

“Butler, is there anyone else we can contact for help?” Whitney asked, desperate.

“Do you not know who’s after our Mr. Lutz? We’ve called everyone w/S could. If there were a way, Mr.

Lutz wouldn’t have left with them. If you ask me, it’s all your fault, Ms. Valentine. You’re a curse.

Now Mr. Lutz is detained in Emperor City, and Hunter’s in ICU waiting for him. The Lutz family can’t

afford to lose its pillar at a time like this, do you understand?”

Whitney understood, her face pale with worry and guilt.

She knew who she had to turn to.

This was not her first brush with despair, but this time, the darkness of the abyss felt deeper than ever.

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Her heart bore a hole of hatred.

Hatred for herself, for ever becoming entangled with such a heartless

devil.

He had played the game of power to its limits.

Her knuckles were white with tension; she hastily threw on a coat over her dress and told Valerie and

Tiana, “I need to step out.”

“It’s dark outside; where will you go?” Tiana asked knowingly, her eyes red. “Don’t go to him!”

“Bryce can’t be taken to Emperor City because of me. The Lutz family can’t fall apart because of me.”

“Stop right there! He’s clearly pressuring you. Let’s think this through. I’ll get Valerie to reach out to

Ashton, and I’ll get in touch with Parker. We’ll give it a shot.”

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Whitney snorted with a bitter chuckle. “Even Bryce, with all of Banyan City’s clout at his disposal,

couldn’t stand against him. Think about his reach, Tiana. I don’t want you guys to get caught in the

crossfire. I can’t bear the thought of more innocent people getting hurt!”

She had been too hasty, deluded into thinking, into dreaming, that she could start anew.

But he never intended to let her go.

In that swamp of love and hate, she never got the chance to spread her wings before he clipped them,

sending her tumbling back into the murky depths.

Feeling helpless, Tiana pulled her aside and slipped a modified wristwatch into her pocket, “It’s rigged

for communication and tracking, just in case. Keep it on you for now, Whitney. I’m worried about what

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he might do to you!”

Whitney nodded solemnly and dialed Felix’s number.

Soon after, a car pulled up outside Bryce’s mansion.

Two bodyguards flanked her as she got into the vehicle.

Whitney glanced at the rear–view mirror, revealing a chilling smile, “Is he pleased?”

“Madam…”

“Don’t call me that! And you, are you an accomplice?”

“I…” Felix stuttered.

The rest of the ride was silent, the chill of the night air wrapping around them as Whitney was escorted

to the apartment.

Stepping inside, the lights were off, leaving only the glow from the city lights outside to illuminate his

silhouette against the backdrop.

Ludwik sat elegantly on the sofa, his legs stretched out, one hand resting on the armrest, a cigarette

dangling between his fingers.

He tilted his head ever so slightly to size her up like a predator eyeing its dying prey making its return

or like an emperor, scornfully surveying the dominion over which he ruled life and death.

“Are you satisfied now, Ludwik?” She stopped at the center of the carpet, her laughter tinged with

defiance.

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“My engagement party was ruined, Hunter’s in the hospital with a heart attack, fighting for his life, and

Bryce has been arrested and taken to Emperor City. Answer me, Ludwik! Are you satisfied now?!”

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