Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 76

Stella sneered, “Now that you’ve stumbled upon our little secret, and within the walls of the Lutz

household no less, did you think we’d just sit back and wait for you to tattle? We had to strike first,

darling. We’re going to set you up for a scandal. Once you’re branded as an adulteress, your engagement to Mr. Lutz will crumble, and I’ll be the one to take your place as the lady of the house.

Tiana, honey, I’m the real Mrs. Lutz material.”

“Over my dead body! Gunner Lutz, is this really what you want? You’re heartless. I won’t let you both

get away with this!” Tiana’s heart turned to ice as tears reddened her eyes.

“At the end of the day, Tiana, you only have yourself to blame for landing in this mess. If only Whitney

had spilled the beans, you wouldn’t have fallen prey to our little scheme.”

Stella twisted the knife, “Take her away, boys. Make sure she’s well looked after. Get some dirt on her, and let’s give everyone a show of Tiana’s true colors.”

“Let go of me, you scumbags! You’ll get what’s coming to you!” Tiana screamed, and her mouth was

forcefully silenced.

Stella sent a triumphant text to Monica.

[Mission accomplished.]

Meanwhile, in Elate City, Elaine also received the message.

Amid a torrential downpour by the seaside, a sleek speedboat returned to shore. Stepping off the

vessel was a tall man clad in black suit, his presence both commanding and solemn. His stern face

was a mask of cold determination, leaving the trailing executives too shaken to utter a single word.

“Bro!” Elaine called out, drenched as she approached him. He was a giant among men, and she had to

tilt her head back to look up at him, shivering from the cold, “Were there any injuries among the

construction workers over at Sea Bay?”

“One fatality,” Ludwik replied, his voice as chilling as his gaze.

“It’s all my fault, Mr. Lippert,” the senior executive was on the brink of kneeling in despair.

Just then, Elaine rushed over with a phone in hand, “Bro, Whitney tried to call you. After the last

incident with your personal secretary, no one dared to answer your private line, so I’ve been waiting

here for you. I’ve just checked the news, and it’s not looking good. Something’s happened to

Whitney…”

“What?” Ludwik snatched the phone from her hands.

With a furrowed brow and a sense of urgency, he checked the calls. She had tried to reach him twice,

three hours ago!

He glanced sharply at Felix.

Felix immediately went online, and his expression darkened, “Mr. Lippert, there’s been a scandal at Ms.

Valentine’s company. Counterfeit diamonds passed off as genuine, and the Lutz family patriarch bought

a 28–carat fake for Claire’s birthday. The Lutz family is in an uproar, and Whitney was taken away by

the police this afternoon!”

“I tried calling your work phone as soon as I found out, but there’s no reception at Sea Bay,” Elaine

said, her voice filled with concern, “Bro, shouldn’t you head back to Banyan City to sort this out?”

“Mr. Lippert, with the accident at Sea Bay and the families in uproar, it wouldn’t be good for you to leave

now,”

the executive trembled.

“Felix, get the helicopter ready. We’re heading back to Banyan City!” Ludwik ordered without hesitation

and turned to leave.

Elaine, soaked to the bone, received not even a glance from him. Watching his hurried stride, her eyes

narrowed

with determination.

“I’m coming with you, Bro. Whitney must be terrified,” she said, rushing to keep up.

Ludwik couldn’t help but think that Whitney must be frightened. Having been pampered all her life, she

had never faced anything like this before.

A sense of anxiety, unlike any Ludwik had ever experienced, gnawed at him as he dialed Nolan’s

number. His expression grim, he urged, “Nolan, Whitney’s been taken in by the police. Guilty or not, get

a lawyer and bail her

out!”

Nolan, who had been lounging for two days, instantly sprang into action upon receiving the command

and rushed to the police station with a lawyer in tow.

Ten minutes later, Ludwik received a call from Nolan, his tone defeated.

“Bro, it’s a no–go. Hunter Lutz is furious, and Claire’s been hospitalized from the shock. They’ve

charged Whitney, and the police can’t release her on bail. Hunter doesn’t realize who Whitney is to you.

You need to show up at the Lutz Mansion personally. Your influence will be pivotal. No matter how

upset they are, they wouldn’t dare displease you, would they?”

The line went dead with an icy silence.

Ludwik, eyes closed, asked the pilot, “How much longer?”

“Sir, at best, another hour and a half…”

“Faster!”

Seated in her own space, Elaine’s fingers were tightly clenched. She couldn’t believe he cared for

Whitney that

much.

Regardless, with the time it would take, Whitney would likely be in the holding cells by now.

That was a place Monica would handle well.

Simon had been waiting outside the Lutz residence for ages, yet Tiana hadn’t emerged. A few servants

passed by with a large bag, and he gave them a curious glance before stepping aside.

He tried calling Tiana again, but her phone was unreachable.

Unable to wait indefinitely, Simon reluctantly headed back, making a stop at the Perlman Mansion.

Facing a critical situation, Whitney stood the risk of trial if sent to the holding cells. Desperate to secure

leniency, Simon sought to appeal his father, Wyatt, only to be flatly turned down in the study.

Dejected, Simon exited the room, only to be pulled into another by Phebe, who had overheard

everything and was fuming,

“Simon, what’s gotten into you, pleading for that useless woman, Whitney? Have you lost your mind?

Don’t anger your father. Your company has suffered, and Faith has been mocking you to your father.

Continuing to involve yourself with Whitney, especially now that she’s facing criminal charges, do you

still want the position of the heir? Monica’s out of the picture, and Whitney is even worse! You should

pursue the heiress you met at the last social event. Do you understand?”

Simon, his handsome face weary, replied in a low voice, “Mom, I’ve realized I still love Whitney. Heir,

heir, heir – that’s all you ever talk about. It was Whitney, then Monica. I’m tired of using marriage for

political gain. It doesn’t feel manly at all!” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“What? You’re still hung up on Whitney? No way! Have you forgotten that you once wanted to off her?

She probably hates your guts by now. How could she possibly have feelings for you? You should’ve

never let her, come back to the firm.” Phebe’s face was a storm cloud.

12:14

Simon pushed past his mother, his movements abrupt, and stormed out to his car.

After a fruitless endeavor, Simon returned to the police station. Unable to confront Whitney, he had no

choice but to request the officers to tell her that Tiana’s situation had gone south, and the evidence was

lost.

Whitney’s face turned ashen, and she slumped into the chair, fragile shoulders bearing the weight of

the world.

What happened? Tiana in trouble?

She wouldn’t just disappear without good reason.

“You’re just stalling for time! Your four hours of interrogation are up. For now, you’ll cool your heels in

the holding cell. Your trial is set for the next couple of days!” The cop yanked her up without a shred of

mercy.

Whitney jolted, her gaze darting outside.

Where was L? Why wasn’t he here?

Didn’t he know? On a business trip, right, that must be it. But she’d called him twice–why hadn’t he

seen it?

Last night, she’d sent a video, and he’d picked up almost immediately. His personal phone should be

with him.

What was going on?

Her heart sank, a cocktail of helplessness and confusion.

She was quickly locked away in a dimly lit holding cell, stark and unwelcoming. Whitney licked her dry

lips, hunger gnawing at her. She was in pain, pregnant, and cold.

Dozens of empty bunks, the place felt haunted. She’d never known such hardship and huddled by the

door, too wary to venture further in.

“Hey, you the new girl?” Suddenly, two more suspects were shoved through the door.

The female officer locked them in and left without a backward glance.

Whitney looked up, noticing the woman who had spoken–a tall, burly figure with arms inked in tattoos,

reeking

of booze.

She fixed her gaze on Whitney, a strange smirk twisting her lips, and sauntered over.