Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 210

Whitney clenched her fists at the dire state of her company. Exhaustion etched across her face, but

she still shook her head. “Trends on social media are fleeting. They’ll die down soon. I’ll hold a press

conference to clear the air then. I don’t agree with your approach.”

The PR manager of Lutz Group glanced towards Bryce, whose gaze darkened, signaling the end of the

discussion.

The shareholders of Skye Gem were infuriated by Whitney’s stubbornness. “What can you possibly

clarify? The video is clear evidence! You’re refusing to take the high road, and you’ll run your

grandfather’s legacy into the ground sooner or later. Don’t blame us for being heartless when that

happens!”

“Please give me some time,” Whitney pleaded, taking a deep breath. “Skye Gem is a jewelry brand.

While my image is important, it’s the products that are our real strength. I’m confident the company will

bounce back.”

Free from her entanglement with Ludwik, Whitney now had the time to

focus on her own company’s issues.

Back at her desk, she calmed herself and tweeted from the company

account,

[Half a month ago, Ms. Valentine received a call for help from her friend, Mr. Lutz, who was drugged.

Her visit to the hotel was to administer acupuncture to Mr. Lutz, not to engage in any inappropriate

behavior. Please don’t jump to conclusions just over a blurry video.]

Almost instantly, Bryce retweeted the post, adding: [I was in a dire state and Ms. Valentine saved me

with her timely acupuncture treatment. The fault is mine for harboring feelings for her, but she’s a kind

and loyal woman who didn’t succumb to pressure even in a precarious situation. Please do not

misjudge her!]

10:35

The online community was taken aback, with comments flooding in.

Among the criticisms, different voices emerged.

“Am I sensing a love story here?”

“Bryce has feelings for Whitney, calls her after taking his medicine, and tries to coerce her? Is that what

I’m getting?” NôvelDrama.Org content.

“Doesn’t Whitney seem a bit innocent in all this?”

In the office, Whitney rubbed her temples, puzzled by Bryce’s protective stance. Now the internet was

ablaze with criticism of him and the Lutz

Group only.

She dialed his number. “Mr. Lutz, this obfuscation isn’t good for your

reputation or your company.”

“I care about you and only want to protect you. Don’t worry about my company, Whitney,” Bryce replied

before promptly hanging up.

Whitney sighed, feeling a mix of helplessness and warmth. Bryce really was a gentle soul.

She was about to tackle the backlog of paperwork when Valerie and Tiana came over, urging her to

take a break. “Since you’ve issued the clarification, let’s see how it plays out. You’re still feverish, and

Felix texted me that you’re injured. Come on, let’s get you to the hospital nearby.”

Recalling her injury, Whitney’s cheeks burned, but then she thought of the man who caused it, and her

empty ring finger chilled her to the

bone.

Ludwik woke up at noon.

He descended the stairs to the empty living room, devoid of the woman who had once fallen there. The

polished floor reflected a distorted image of his face.

10:35

Confusion flickered across his face.

Felix approached cautiously, holding two divorce agreements and a simple yet exquisite engagement

ring.

“Ms. Valentine has left. She returned the engagement ring you gave

her.”

Ludwik stared at the ring in silence.

Memories flashed through his mind – he had presented it on New Year’s Eve in an attempt to mend

their relationship.

He had designed the ring himself.

She had never removed it, even when he forced her to sign the divorce papers a week ago.

But now, with all the ugliness exposed and her supposed infidelity with Bryce, she couldn’t pretend any

longer and took it off.

Ludwik chuckled mirthlessly, picking up the delicate ring, noting the faint bloodstain on the inside – a

result of removing it too forcefully.

His eyes darkened, then quickly reverted to scorn. She couldn’t possibly care, he thought. she must

have been eager to be free.

Blood seeped from his palm as he clenched the diamond, the sharp edges cutting into his skin.

He threw the ring into the fireplace and began to smash everything on the table, the noise startling the

maids.

But Ludwik’s face remained eerily calm.

Felix stood by, waiting for Mr. Ludwik’s rage to subside.

Finally, exhausted from the destruction, Ludwik sank into the sofa, massaging his temples. “Bring me

my phone. What’s the situation with Skyfaith?”

Felix reported promptly, “The stock has rebounded, and the public

10:35

reaction is cautiously optimistic. Everyone’s looking forward to your engagement announcement with

Elaine.”

“And?” Ludwik’s lips curled in irony.

Felix hesitated, aware of what Ludwik really wanted to ask but diverted to another topic. “I’ve traced the

video’s origin a careful release from an overseas domain.”

—

Standing just outside the living room, Elaine smirked inwardly. She had hired a cautious overseas

hacker.

“But the video itself wouldn’t have caused such a stir without someone

pushing it. It seems to be linked to Bryce.”

Ludwik’s sarcasm was palpable. “Who else would want to blow this out of proportion but him?”

His eyes narrowed as he remembered the day when he dragged Whitney out from the restaurant and

Bryce’s look towards her.

It seemed Bryce, the seemingly mild–mannered adversary, was far more devious than he appeared.

“Mr. Lippert, do you think Bryce could be the one who leaked the video?” asked Felix, his voice laced

with concern. “Should we tell Ms. Valentine

the truth?”

Ludwik’s eyes, however, were glued to the two clarification messages on his phone screen. A woman’s

declaration of innocence followed by a man’s agreement and a public confession of his affection for

her.

What an orchestrated duet.

With a surge of anger, Ludwik snapped his eyes shut, the fury within him blazing like a wildfire. In one

swift motion, he hurled his phone against the wall, where it shattered into pieces.

“Tell her what? That she’s perfect for that snake?” he scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Rising

from his seat, he ascended the staircase,

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Chaphe: 210

his steps heavy with disdain.

Felix watched, startled, as Ludwik disappeared, his solitary figure a testament to the bitterness that had

seeped into his gaze. To Mr. Lippert, it seemed there was nothing left but hatred for the Ms. Valentine.

Elaine slipped out of the villa, a sly smile playing on her lips as she dialed a number. “Jaxon, start

spreading the word to the shareholders of Skye Gem Ltd. Tell them someone’s ready to pay top dollar

for their stock. Mention there’s a bid of 800 million for the Skye Gem building, too. Those with deeds

will want to cash in.”

“Elaine, you mean to…” came the voice on the other end.

“Not enough. Stir the pot a bit more. Make Ludwik despise Whitney even further,” she instructed with a

chuckle, adding, “And make sure Whitney hears that all this is Skyfaith’s doing.”

By three o’clock in the afternoon, the storm hit.

Two shareholders of Skye Gem Ltd. were putting their shares on the market at a premium price, and

the one holding the deed to the Skye Gem building suddenly initiated auction proceedings to sell it off!

Upon hearing the news, Whitney rushed out of the hospital and bolted back to her company, a sense of

urgency propelling her forward.