Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

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.

His eyes narrowed, voice indifferent, “Since when do my personal affairs concern you? You didn’t care

when I was a child, and you certainly have no right now.”

Kaden’s gaze wavered.

Ludwik’s half–smile carried a cold edge, “Take care of your second son and your little family of three.”

Kaden, nearly bursting with rage, retorted, “Do you even regard me as your father anymore? I’m telling

you, get rid of that woman. How can the Valentines match you? You’re destined to be with the Bartels

family’s daughter.”

“She is my woman. It would be wise not to touch her, or I won’t be polite.”

Kaden saw the terrifying fury beneath Ludwik’s calm facade and scoffed, “I’m laying it out here, Ludwik.

Even if you’re powerful and wealthy, you’re still the Lippert family’s heir, and I’m your father! No son

challenges his father. You’re in business, but the Lippert family holds sway in Emperor City’s political

realm. You know the stakes. You either secure an alliance with the Bartels family, or you’re no match

for me. Your brother is returning from abroad soon. I won’t leave Imperial Gem Corporation solely in

your hands. He’ll co–manage with you; we’re family, so don’t be too callous.”

Ludwik’s gaze turned icy.

He chuckled softly, “My company and my wealth has nothing to do with the Lippert family. Keep your

hands off. If you’re so concerned about your second son, find another way.”

“Rebel! You constantly defy me, Do you’really think I’m powerless against you?”

Ludwik left with a cold laugh, the sound of the door slamming echoing behind him as a heavy

paperweight crashed against it.

A chilling aura emanated from Ludwik, casting fear among the mansion’s servants, who dared not raise

their heads.

In the Lippert household, Kaden reigned supreme, yet Ludwik, every time he returned, seemed to

provoke Kaden to the brink of fury. Since the year he moved out with his mother, Ludwik had evolved

from a once young lord into a formidable figure.

Over the years, the enigma enveloping the Lipperts, the city’s foremost family, had deepened.

“Well, look who’s back?” The voice drifted languidly through the opulent ground–floor hall.

12.16 @

A middle–aged woman, elegantly dressed and adjusting her mink stole, approached Ludwik with a

scrutinizing gaze. “It’s not every day we see you here. Don’t stir up your father’s temper over some

fleeting romance and a child born out of wedlock. Will you stay for dinner?”

Ludwik cast her an icy glance, causing Rylie to shiver.

The man stepped out into the night, leaving Rylie with narrowed eyes, thankful her own son was no

less impressive than Ludwik.

As Ludwik stepped out of the Lippert Mansion, his godly features wore exhaustion, and his eyes were

steeped with a frosty detachment.

Elaine hurried over, her face flashing with concern. “Bro, did your dad give you trouble? Oh, by the

way, Whitney’s been released. She’s just at the hospital now.”

“Why the hospital?” Ludwik’s expression chilled.

“Perhaps a bit shaken up?” Elaine ventured, trying to keep the mood light.

Ludwik’s eyebrows eased, feeling a bit relieved. If it was only due to being startled, then it wasn’t so

bad. He got into the car, and while Elaine drove away, he pulled out his phone to call Whitney.

But the call went unanswered.

“Step on it,” Ludwik commanded, his brows knitting together again.

They reached the First City Hospital promptly. Elaine asked at the reception and then led Ludwik to the

second floor of the inpatient department.

Room 2003 seemed miles away as Ludwik’s anticipation grew.

Elaine, full of concern, raced ahead down the corridor towards the room. “Whitney…”

She peered through the door.

552

Suddenly, her spine stiffened, and Elaine slowly turned around.

Noticing her change in expression, Ludwik feared Whitney wasn’t inside. His long legs carried him

swiftly towards the room, eager to see for himself.

Elaine, stammering and evasive, blocked him. “Ludwik… maybe you should wait. Whitney, she’s…

she’s a bit indisposed right now.”

Was it Whitney? What was so ‘indisposed‘ about her?

Ludwik’s frown deepened, sensing something was amiss. Brushing Elaine aside, he pushed into the

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