Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 639

Keegan's expression was grave, "Ashton, whether you recognize me or not, I know you're here to bail out Ludwik. Let me warn you, it won't be as easy this time. It would be better for you to persuade him to come clean, to reveal where Whitney is!"

"I'm aware of who you are, Mr. Tennyson. I... will talk to Ludwik," Ashton said, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Danny?" Keegan's gaze caught the small figure hiding behind Ashton.

Danny shuddered, "Uncle Grandpa."

"Come here, child. Come with Uncle Grandpa," Keegan beckoned, guilt-ridden. "These past few days, your Uncle Bryce and I have been tirelessly searching for your mom, failing to bring you with us."

Danny glanced at the impeccably dressed Bryce, tilting his head slightly away from Ashton.

Avoiding Keegan's hopeful gaze, "Uncle Grandpa, I'm sorry..."

"Do you still want to stay by Ludwik's side, even after everything that’s happened?" Keegan was visibly agitated.

"Uncle, please calm down," Bryce soothed Keegan, then looked at Danny, "The kid has been staying at Whitney's mansion, under the care of a nanny. The nanny works for me. Once we find Whitney, Danny will naturally come over."

His words helped Keegan breathe easier, his gaze filled with worry as he looked at Danny, "Kid, keep in touch with me."

"Yes, Uncle Grandpa…"

As Bryce escorted Keegan away, his cold gaze briefly swept over Ashton.

Ashton, locking eyes with the man, couldn't help but recall. Bryce's reputation had soared recently, often featured in finance magazines. Especially since the Lutz Group's move to Emperor City, quickly climbing to the top tier of businesses, with Bryce being named a notable entrepreneur just last week!

Ashton's impression of him had always been of a gentle and scholarly man, always seen with a smile. Yet today, dressed in a stark black suit, his gentle features seemed to cast a chilling aura under the sunlight.

Ashton had a feeling; Bryce was not the same man he remembered from three years ago. He was far from simple.

"Bro." Nolan called him.

Ashton turned away, striding inside.

After some negotiating, Danny couldn't visit Ludwik, so Nolan stayed outside with him.

Ten minutes later, Ashton was sitting across from Ludwik in the interrogation room. Ludwik's expression was icy, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Ashton sighed, looking into his bloodshot eyes, "Lud, I don't have much sway here in Emperor City. Felix tried pleading with the Nelson family, and it took all we had just to see you."

"The Patrick family is pressuring from above, right?"

Ludwik's handsome face darkened with a hint of self-mockery, realizing the extent to which he had fallen, requiring Shane's intervention.

"Yeah, the Patrick family and Jarvis would love to see you rot in jail. They're the top family now. Your uncle, the Nelsons, they wouldn't dare confront them directly. Honestly, if you don't cooperate, I can't get you out."

Ludwik's gaze hardened, a cold laugh barely escaping as he struggled with the idea, "Cooperating with the police means revealing Whitney's whereabouts, right?"

Ashton hesitated, avoiding Ludwik's bitter smile. He looked away, "The fact is, you took Whitney. Bryce and Keegan, along with the employees of Skye Gem Ltd., they can't reach her. Bryce didn't report it before. But now, with the Lippert family involved, facing internal and external troubles, Bryce and Keegan, together with all the staff from Skye Gem Ltd., have reported it. Bryce is not afraid of you anymore."

Ludwik clenched his jaw, veins bulging on his hand.

He had anticipated this moment on the island on their last night together. The painful kiss, the lingering look, fearing he might never hold onto her again.