Love beyond the mask1-100

Novel Catalog

Chapter_77

“Don’t come any closer. I don’t know you,” Whitney said, her voice trembling as she instinctively hugged herself, a mixture of caution and fear in her eyes.

The woman eyed her with a dark smile. “You look familiar, though. Like a style I fancy,” she purred, her voice dripping with sleaze.

Her accomplice stood by the door, glancing nervously around, barely daring to meet Whitney’s eyes.

A sinking feeling spread through Whitney as she pushed herself back against the wall. Her face drained of color as she slowly realized something was terribly wrong. This wasn’t just any ordinary cellmate situation. Why had these women been locked in with her, and why had they come so soon after her arrival?

Before she could make a move, the tall woman quickly grabbed her by the neck and shoved her back into the corner. Whitney gasped, struggling to breathe as her grip tightened.

“What do you want?” Whitney choked, panic rising in her chest.

The woman’s expression hardened, revealing her true intentions. She wasn’t drunk like she had first appeared. “Someone wants you to enjoy the ambiance here,” she said with a low, sinister chuckle. “When I ‘drink,’ I love to get rough.”

Whitney’s heart raced. She screamed for help, her voice rising in desperation. “Officer! Officer! Someone’s attacking me… mph!”

But before she could finish, the woman silenced her, pressing something against Whitney’s mouth. The lookout hissed, “Hit her in the stomach.”

No… not the baby! Whitney’s mind screamed, her heart pounding in terror.

The brute shoved Whitney harshly into a cabinet, kicking her shin. The pain knocked her down to her knees, leaving her unable to stand. She gasped for air, struggling to protect her stomach.

The woman aimed another vicious kick at her abdomen, but Whitney curled into a tight ball, trying to shield her belly. Her efforts only seemed to enrage the woman, who began to pummel her relentlessly. Whitney’s face turned pale, and the only thought racing through her mind was, L, why haven’t you come? Please, save me.

Tears streamed down her face as panic set in, her vision blurring. She began to foam at the mouth from the sheer intensity of her fear and pain.

The lookout panicked, shouting, “Enough! She’s foaming at the mouth! She’s not going to die, is she? The cops are coming!”

The tall woman paused, then quickly shoved a blanket into Whitney’s mouth to silence her further. The sound of the approaching police grew louder, but it was too late for Whitney to cry out.

The officers arrived and, to her horror, didn’t seem to notice her suffering. “Your folks are here to bail you out. Come with me,” one officer said, as the two women hastily exited the room.

Once the door slammed shut, Whitney lay curled on the cold floor, her body screaming in pain. She tried to crawl, but each small movement shot waves of agony through her abdomen. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her thoughts became muddled. My baby… my baby is in danger… L…

Back at the Lutz Mansion, Ludwik stepped off the helicopter, an unsettling feeling heavy in his chest. A man rushed toward him, his face frantic. “Mr. Lippert, there’s trouble at Imperial Gem Corporation!”

The man, the materials purchasing manager from Imperial Gem Corporation, was visibly shaken. “After Whitney’s arrest this afternoon, Carter, who was involved with her, confessed that a few months ago, at Whitney’s recommendation, he delivered counterfeit gemstones to a subsidiary of our company. These fakes were used in the production of diamond rings. The quality inspection bureau discovered substandard products in our store today. This could be a deliberate act by Whitney against Imperial Gem Corporation! The company’s reputation, beloved by aristocrats worldwide, is at stake.”

Ludwik’s expression stiffened, his eyes unreadable in the moonlight. Elaine, standing nearby, shot a look at the purchasing manager before speaking up. “What nonsense are you spouting? Do you even know who Whitney is to Mr. Lippert?”

Ludwik gestured for silence, his gaze sharp. Elaine fell quiet, whispering, “Bro, you didn’t even know Whitney a few months ago. There’s some business rivalry between Skye Gem Ltd. and Imperial Gem Corporation…”

A cold chill flashed across Ludwik’s eyes, his focus narrowing. He had come to rescue Whitney, yet now he faced a storm of complications. He instinctively trusted her, but his mind began to whirl with doubts. Whitney had been involved in business since her teens. Everyone in that world had a complex side, including him.

He recalled the tensions between her and Imperial Gem Corporation and the way she had provoked them. Could she have truly been behind this sabotage? The thought gnawed at him.

His mood darkened, but his resolve didn’t waver. He would save her—no matter the cost.

Elaine, ever practical, suggested, “Bro, do you need me to suppress the news about Imperial Gem Corporation? You could cover this up for Whitney, but we must make sure your dad never finds out.”

Before Ludwik could respond, his phone rang. It was his father’s estate. He stiffened, his face turning icy.

Elaine feigned surprise. “Your dad might already know about Whitney’s deeds…”

“It might not be her doing,” Ludwik corrected sharply.

Elaine paused, sensing the tension in his voice, and fell silent as he entered the Lutz Mansion.

Inside, Hunter, the head of the Lutz family, immediately sensed the gravity of the situation. The Lipperts were one of the four magnates of the city, with influence that stretched far beyond the average elite family. Ludwik, the third-generation magnate, was a force to be reckoned with.

Hunter offered coffee, but Ludwik barely sat down before getting to the point. His face was hard as stone. “Whitney has been selling counterfeit diamonds and deceiving me. Shame on her. I’m ready to see her in court, but I won’t let her go without a fight,” Ludwik said.

Hunter’s expression faltered. He knew the power the Lipperts wielded. Ludwik’s influence was immense, and crossing him was a dangerous game. Hunter, unwilling to make an enemy of Ludwik, reluctantly conceded.

A single call to the precinct from Ludwik eased his brow. As he made his exit, his commanding figure loomed over the night.

Felix, the Lippert’s old butler, arrived, blocking the gates. “Sir, the master wishes to see you at the mansion. He has questions for you.”

“Felix, get to the station and get her out,” Ludwik ordered. His voice was calm, but his urgency was palpable.

Elaine, ever supportive, added, “I’ll help. I’ll find a lawyer. You go back to the Lippert Mansion, Bro. We’ll make sure Whitney is released.”

“She’s with child. Handle it with care!” Ludwik instructed before climbing into the car.

Meanwhile, Simon, who had been pacing outside the police station, overheard a disturbing conversation. “She’s been in there too long. Hope she’s not dead.”

His heart skipped a beat, and he rushed inside, shouting, “Officer! Was Whitney locked up with those two women? She might be in danger! Go check on her now!”

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