Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 78

"Simon, you can't bail Whitney out. It's best you head home," said the officer, his tone icy with the assumption that Simon was trying to pull some underhanded trick to free her.

Anxiety rippled through Simon as he insisted, "Did you know she’s pregnant? It's freezing in there, and you're not even providing any food. At the very least, go check on her."

The officer frowned, taken aback. "Pregnant?"

Right at that moment, the sergeant received a call and quickly came over in person. "Where's Whitney? Which cell is she in? The Lutz family has dropped the charges. Release her immediately."

Remembering what Simon had just said, the officer, torn between doubt and belief, hurried into the holding area.

There, he found Whitney collapsed on the floor- her body frighteningly cold, complexion pallid, and lips turning blue. Startled, the officer immediately had her lifted and brought out.

"Whitney, Whitney..." Simon raced over, catching her in his arms and cradling her sideways.

The commotion barely brought Whitney back to a semblance of consciousness. She had been desperately hoping for L to rescue her, and as she weakly opened her eyes, tears streamed down her face. "L, is that you?"

But the next moment, her expression froze. It was Simon's face she saw, not L's.

The light in her eyes dimmed.

Simon's face stiffened as he watched her expression change rapidly. She was bruised in many places. He quickly asked, "Did someone hit you? I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"

"I can walk on my own," Whitney said coldly, trying to break free from him, not wanting any ties with him.

"Can you even move? Aren't you pregnant? Don’t be so stubborn, Whitney. What if something happens... Whitney!" Before he could finish, Whitney fainted.

Startled, Simon instinctively checked her breathing to ensure she was still alive. Without hesitation, he quickly scooped her up and rushed to his car, simultaneously dialing an ambulance as he ran.

…

Felix drove to the station as fast as he could. While on the way, Elaine took some time to secure a lawyer. Later, the car broke down. It was Elaine behind the wheel when this occurred.

Unfortunately, they arrived too late. The police informed them that Whitney had been released half an hour ago, taken away by a man.

A man? Felix wondered, confused.

Elaine, frantic, asked, "Officer, do you know where they went?"

The officer, frowning, replied, "Whitney was in a cell with two drunk women and got into a scuffle. She got hurt. We didn't know she was pregnant; she might have been taken to the hospital."

Elaine's eyes fell, her delicate fingers nervously playing with each other. When she looked up again, her face was etched with worry. "Felix, quickly find out which hospital Whitney is in. I'll go to the Lippert Mansion to get Ludwik."

Felix immediately started searching, and meanwhile, Elaine got into her car. As the window rolled down, a faint smile graced her face.

She is in the hospital? That's good.

The man who took her was probably Simon? Even better.

…

The Lippert Mansion.

Spread across extensive acres, an impressive mansion housed a grand study. Inside, the imposing presence of Kaden Lippert turned to face Ludwik as he entered.

With a harsh tone, he began, "You approached the Lutz family personally over a woman of dubious background? Ludwik, you never stoop to such indignities. Besides, isn't this Whitney the same woman who's been a thorn in the side of the Imperial Gem Corporation? It's all over the news. She's been mixing fakes into your company's gemstones. Look!"

He threw a newspaper onto the desk.

Kaden glared at Ludwik, "Why did you keep it from me? I should never have agreed to your mother's ridiculous marriage arrangement. This kind of woman doesn't deserve our name. Find a place for her to quietly have the child and send her away. There's no need for you to waste a year..."

Ludwik stood still, his gaze colder than the elder's. He cracked a chilling smile, "Send her away? Like the great example you set?"

Kaden faltered, his expression clouding over.

Ludwik took a step closer, his presence like a towering mountain, overwhelming the old man's authority. The elder seemed diminished by age in comparison.