Love Beyond the Mask novel 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..."