Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



In the luxury suite of a wedding hotel.

Bryce's face was a mask of dark fury as he dialed Wade's number, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I need you to send a squad of mercenaries from Emperor City right now. I want Ludwik dead!"

"It's not the right time yet."

Wade's voice was calm and firm in refusal. "Mr. Lutz, we haven't reached the opportune moment to strike. Ludwik has just left Emperor City after all this trouble.

You need to think this through. If you want to achieve greatness, patience is key. You've held back for so long already; this is no different."

"But he took my wife!" Bryce could hardly maintain his composure, growling like a beast. "He ruined my wedding. Who knows what he'll do to her today?"

"And what will your wife think of you if you chase after him with a bunch of hired guns now?

From what I understand, Whitney is clueless about your dealings in Emperor City. Would she start doubting you? And Ludwik, would he find out I'm backing you?"

Wade's voice turned colder, his words a veiled threat. "Besides, if Whitney ever finds out about your scheme with Florence, using the child to force her into marriage, do you think she'd ever forgive you?"

The words hit Bryce like a bucket of ice water, choking him.

Florence knew, Wade knew.

But Whitney must never find out!

His fingers tightened around his phone, nearly crushing it, his gaze icy.

Wade chuckled dismissively, his mockery and promises weaving a tapestry of pain and madness within Bryce.

Finally, with gritted teeth, Bryce smashed the phone as if it were Ludwik himself.

Fine... he would wait, just a few more days.

Ludwik, your reckoning is coming. I'll make you wish for death.

Looking into the ornate mirror, Bryce saw his twisted, dark eyes, devoid of any joy.

High above in a helicopter, crossing the coastline...

Ludwik gazed quietly and obsessively at the small face of the woman in his arms, his fingers caressing her soft skin with a mix of longing and greed. She was unconscious.

So peaceful and docile she looked, a stark contrast to her defiant, frosty demeanor at the wedding.

How could she utter such hurtful words?

He refused to believe she didn't love him anymore, despite her devastating words at the wedding...

"I'm sorry, Whitney.

Taking you away, I've decided to spend my life making it up to you.

This time, I'll never let go."

His deep voice murmured obsessively.

Ludwik's gaze hardened as he rubbed off the bright lipstick on her lips.

She had been kissed by Bryce, exchanged rings with him!

A murderous light flickered in his eyes as he wiped away those damned marks, then leaned down to kiss her fiercely, erasing any trace of her and another, marking her as his own.

It wasn't until her lips were stained with blood that his madness subsided.novelbin

His phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket. To avoid disturbing her, Ludwik, expressionless, took it out.

Calls from Jason, Parker, Felix, Riley, Florence, and more bombarded him!

Ludwik remained unphased, ignoring them all, even when Camilla and Natalie's numbers flashed across the screen. His fierce expression briefly softened in contemplation.

In the end, he didn't answer any.

Carefully smoothing out Whitney's furrowed brows, he dialed Felix.

Felix, on receiving Mr. Lippert's call, was nearly in tears of relief. His voice trembled, "Mr. Lippert, you finally took my call!

Your father is furious about the scandal of you causing chaos at the wedding in Banyan City. The matriarch is beside herself with worry.

The entire Lippert family is abuzz with the news, not to mention the Lippert Group.

And your wedding-crashing scandal is trending online; someone's definitely stirring the pot..."

Ludwik, half-listening, gazed at the

et

blue sea below, his usually sharp mind blank.. "I'm taking Whitney to my private island. Arrange a flight path, contact the island's steward, and prepare for a romantic wedding ceremony. I want to have it this afternoon."

Felix, dumbfounded, struggled to comprehend.

Mr. Lippert seemed like a stranger, both in his actions and his tone.

Could it be... was Mr. Lippert's illness acting up?

Felix had witnessed Mr. Lippert's breakdown three years ago, a terrifying spectacle of madness and violence.

Was this self-absorbed state another symptom? Could he harm Ms. Valentine on the island?

Panicking, Felix cautiously reminded

him, "Mr. Lippert, you can't leave

Emperor City. The WisdoChip Co.'s chip is in its final stages. If you abandon it, what will happen to the company's research... I've already sent for Mr. Doonan. Shall have him speak to you?"

"Leave the chip development to Parker.

I'm tired.

I just want to be with her for a while.

Don't inform Jason of my whereabouts.

Or else, there will be consequences."

With that, Mr. Lippert ended the call with a chilling finality.

Felix, desperate and clueless, didn't dare to call back. He was in tears, unaware of Mr. Lippert's private island's location.

He had never heard of Mr. Lippert purchasing a private island. Could it be the one bought in Amoria Country half a month ago?

Felix felt a chill run down his spine. It seemed that all along, Mr. Lippert had never really let go of the idea of Whitney remarrying; he had been plotting from the start.

Parker rushed to the Lippert Group headquarters, only to find Felix had just finished a call. He shook his head gravely at Parker, a look of urgency on his face, "Mr. Lippert isn't coming back."

"Has he lost his mind? Who's he leaving the Lippert empire to? The company, the family legacy?"

Parker was speechless, frustration boiling inside him to the point of nausea.

Felix glanced at him silently, then pointed, "Mr. Lippert wants you to oversee the chip development project.

Actually, back in Amoria, I could tell Mr. Lippert was exhausted. He was working day and night, probably all for this day.

The news made it sound like Mr. Lippert stole the bride, but that's putting it mildly. He never saw Whitney as another man's woman.

For this woman, he's now willing to give up everything."

Parker's expression turned cold.

It was hard to imagine Ludwik, of all people, falling so hard for someone that he'd abandon everything else.

Seven hours later, a helicopter gently landed on a private island with azure waters.

In the middle of a grand, luxurious estate, a butler led dozens of servants, all waiting in strict formation to welcome them.

Ludwik swept the woman in his arms off the helicopter, asking, "Is everything ready?"

"The bridal chamber and chapel are all set up. I've had the staff decorate with lights and hang banners of joy everywhere."

Seeing the bright red "joy" banners and the beautiful bouquets being placed in the sunlight.

Ludwik's dark pupils softened with a hint of a smile. He carried Whitney straight into the master bedroom and gently placed her on the large bed.

Catching sight of her in the red bridal gown, her fair legs peeking out from under the hem, his gaze darkened, "Butler, bring the bride's wedding

dress!"

The scene had all the makings of a Western fairytale, but with a twist only Ludwik could provide.