Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 215

Whitney clenched her fists, her heart as cold as ice-she had no longer believed in anything.

Disappointment was mirrored in her eyes, her hope extinguished.

With a touch of mockery, she said, “Of course it’s a real engagement, just like yours with Mr. Lippert.

You both seem to be doing just fine on your own.”

There it was—the admission that she couldn’t wait to get engaged to another man!

Ludwik’s eyes turned frosty with malice, and suddenly he wrapped his arms around Elaine’s waist.

“Felix, move up the engagement party for me and Elaine. I want it to be the talk of the town.”

Felix looked at Mr. Lippert’s impulsive decision and sighed inward. “Mr. Lippert, but Elaine’s birthday is

just in eight days. How much sooner do you want?”

“The day before their engagement.” Ludwik glanced at Bryce and Whitney as he winced.

Whitney’s face turned ashen.

Elaine’s heart burst with joy. “Ludwik, then we really need to start preparing. Shall we go look for a

wedding dress now?”

“What wedding dress? Didn’t you say you wanted to start a family with me?” Ludwik turned his head

and kissed Elaine’s temple, holding her close as they walked away.

Even though Whitney had already overheard their intimacy before, hearing him speak so frivolously still

pierced her to the core.

The others around were practically gawking.

As they reached the car, Ludwik pinched the bridge of his nose, ready to get in with Elaine.

Parker called out from behind, “Ludwik, I need to speak with you.”

Parker glanced at Elaine, signaling for Ludwik to come over.

Elaine clenched her hands nervously.

She got into the car, deliberately leaving the door ajar with a sense of unease.

Standing a few meters away, Ludwik couldn’t muster the energy for small talk. “What is it?”

Parker and Nolan were at a loss for words. Just yesterday, they thought by convincing Ludwik to return

home, there might be a chance for reconciliation with Whitney.

But then, a scandalous video surfaced.

After seeing Bryce in that state, it was hard for Parker and Nolan to believe there was nothing between

him and Whitney.

“Ludwik, I know the video has left you devastated, but I told you about how Whitney bought

emergency medicine for Natalie. Maybe you should ask Elaine about it?”

Ludwik’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Is there need for questions? What kind of good intentions can

a woman who’s already cheated have for her mother? The only person I can trust now is Elaine. Don’t

try to sow discord between us.”

Parker and Nolan exchanged a look. Ludwik’s heart was clearly wounded by Whitney’s betrayal,

making him more dependent on Elaine and all the more obstinate. He was too proud to listen to anyone

else at the moment.

Inside the car, Elaine could barely overhear their conversation. Her lips curved up slightly when she

heard Ludwik’s words.

Let the truth about that old hag’s kidney transplant rot in the grave. Ludwik would never doubt her

again!

Now, all she had to look forward to was the upcoming wedding with Ludwik. He had even

spoken about starting a family with her.

A blush of shyness crossed her face for a moment, but as the man got into the car, Elaine leaned over

with a flushed face, “Ludwik, are we heading back to the villa?”

Ludwik paused, withdrawing his hand and gently patting the back of hers. “There’s still work at the

office, you go pick out a wedding dress. I’ll hire an event planner for the engagement party. Just tell me

what you want.”

His words were a rejection of intimacy, and Elaine felt a slight sink in her heart. But considering it was

daytime and recalling his previous words were to upset Whitney, she let go.

She had already torn Ludwik and Whitney apart. Once Whitney and Bryce were engaged, it would be a

done deal.

This man was hers! All that was left was to deal with that unfortunate child.

Upstairs in the hospital.

Bryce supported Whitney and carried her into a doctor’s office, his brows knitted tightly, “Please take a

check-up on her quickly.”

Tiana and Valerie followed, watching his every move.

Perplexed by the situation but intimidated by the man’s dignified aura, the doctor quickly listened to the

baby’s heartbeat.

“The child is a bit restless, but everything seems fine. She needs to rest.”

After the doctor spoke, Bryce let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing him more worried than herself, Whitney managed a smile. “Bryce, the baby is okay, I can feel it.

Thank you for today. If you hadn’t come with the police, I don’t know what would have happened to this

child.”

The child’s own father wanted to get rid of it.

“Scared?” His warm hand squeezed hers gently.

Still shaken, she tried to compose herself, looking up at this handsome and refined man with ripples of

gratitude in her heart. “I’m sorry for the insults you had to endure because of me. You shouldn’t have to

claim this child in front of him.”

Bryce looked at her trembling eyelashes, her pale face endearing and causing a surge of

protectiveness. He caressed her eyelashes gently and smiled inward. Of course, he would claim the

child to infuriate Ludwik.

His gaze was deep and soothing. “When I said I would treat this child as my own, I meant it.”

Tiana and Valerie were taken aback, their eyes shifting to him.

But Bryce’s gaze stayed fixed on Whitney, his voice lowering. “I’m not that petty. Whitney, once you get

to know me, you’ll see that I’m different from him. I don’t care much about public opinion. If you marry

me, you’ll be happy in the future.”

Whitney’s gaze darted away, filled with confusion and then avoidance.

Bryce stroked her hair. He knew she would retreat like a rabbit if he pushed too much, especially since

she had just divorced.

So he changed the subject, his brows furrowed. “We need to get engaged soon. Once we are, the baby

will have my name and I can protect both of you legitimately. If Ludwik could try to harm the baby today,

who knows what other dangers might come tomorrow.”

Whitney was startled, her heart wry with a bitter smile.

She had to let go of a man who could cruelly consider ending the life of a seven-month-old fetus. The

dangers weren’t just from Ludwik but also from Elaine and others.

Looking at Bryce, she realized she had no one else to rely on.

“I’m all ears,” she said, perhaps hoping that if she and Bryce got engaged, and Ludwik and Elaine

settled down, all the scores would be settled.

Bryce narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “The board meeting for the Lutz-Group is in five days.

Before then, I need you as my fiancée in name to help me stabilize the situation. Then we can get

engaged five days later.”

Whitney’s expression remained nonchalant.

He seemed pleased, though he kept it from showing too obviously, as he crouched down to talk to her.

“I’ll have the company send out a press release, and there’s a lot to prepare. But don’t worry about a

thing. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll listen to every word, to make sure you’re the most beautiful

bride-to-be.”

Feeling a bit trapped, Whitney wanted to remind him that this engagement was a farce.

But there was a depth in his eyes, as if he knew what she was about to say, and he cut her off.

Glancing at his watch, he said, “Sorry, I have a lunch meeting and won’t be able to join you for a meal.

Could I ask the two lovely ladies to keep Whitney company?”

His gaze shifted to Tiana and Valerie. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

A blush spread across Tiana’s cheeks. Valerie, ever composed, smiled and nodded. “Mr. Lutz, are you

already getting into the role of the fiancé?”

“Of course, I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time.”

With a slight curve to his lips, Bryce didn’t shy away from showing his affection for Whitney in front of

everyone. After lifting her onto the hospital bed, he waved goodbye to them gently.