Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 1069

Bryce was convinced that he had tonight's plan nailed down perfectly.

Ludwik had turned back halfway, leaving only Parker, who had tailed him to the airport with his bodyguards. Bryce had managed to trap Parker there, pulling off a clever switcheroo.

By all accounts, Parker shouldn't have been able to figure out the swap so quickly, let alone chase him out to sea...

His phone buzzed.

Bryce glanced at the screen. It was the henchman he had sent to deal with the situation earlier.

Parisa was seated calmly on the speedboat.

Bryce ignored the call and let it go to voicemail.

The group moved silently across the water, the speedboat slicing through the waves until it docked at the harbor of Emperor City's bay.

"Ms. Tennyson, let Ms. Sheldon take you ashore," Bryce said, releasing the steering wheel and turning to face them with a gentlemanly demeanor. "I have an old apartment nearby. If you don't mind, you and Ms. Sheldon could spend the night there. I don't know where you planned to stay initially, but with Ludwik's goons on the hunt, I wouldn't recommend a hotel."

Parisa glanced at the shoreline, noticing it was a quaint, older part of town. The Inko Group was located in the bustling commercial center of Emperor City.

She didn't refuse, only asking, "Is it far from the Inko Group building?"

Bryce nodded. "I brought you and Florence here for your safety. If Ludwik and Parker have full control of Inko Group, going there could be like walking into a trap."

"I came back to save Inko Group. Not going to the company is out of the question," Parisa replied calmly. "But to have an ambush as soon as I return? Ludwik knowing my every move is quite peculiar."

As her words hung in the air, Florence exchanged a knowing look with Bryce.

Bryce remained stoic, his long fingers gripping tightly. He let out a cold chuckle. "You really don't understand this Ludwik. He's as cunning as they come, ruthless in his ways. Ms. Tennyson, I once had a thriving company, but under his malicious manipulation, I lost everything. His greed knows no bounds; there's nothing he wouldn't do."

"Mom, Mr. Lutz is telling the truth," Florence chimed in. "He used to be engaged to Whitney, but once Ludwik took her, he tried to destroy Mr. Lutz—and me. Now, even though he's at rock bottom, he's still looking out for me. He risked his life to save us tonight. In Emperor City, he's the most knowledgeable about the situation. You can trust him to help with Inko Group."

Bryce flashed a shy smile, embarrassed. "Ms. Sheldon, I can't stand how they treated you. No need to praise me. Ms. Tennyson will see my character through her own interactions. I've been wronged by Ludwik, my company is gone, the future looks bleak, but I never intended to lean on Ms. Tennyson or Ms. Sheldon. Tonight, I helped because I can't stand letting Ludwik win. I despise him."

His righteous anger masked the desire lurking beneath, making it seem like his assistance to Florence was purely out of vendetta against Ludwik.

Parisa narrowed her eyes, studying the handsome man before her. "So, you really hate Ludwik?" she asked.

"Hate doesn't cover it! He took my fiancée! Even though Whitney is vile, unlike Ms. Florence, Ludwik's violent rampage for her, causing chaos in the business world and persecuting Florence, is unbearable," Bryce asserted with conviction.

"So, you hope I'll take down Ludwik?" Parisa inquired.