Love beyond the mask101-200

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Chapter_158

Keegan’s grip tightened around Whitney’s wrist as he leaned in, his voice low and laced with malice. “You’ve been a pawn in this game for too long, Whitney. It’s time you saw the truth. The card you’ve been flaunting—it has the power to destroy everything Ludwik has built. He won’t survive this. And neither will you, if you keep getting in my way.”

Whitney’s heart hammered in her chest, the confusion, anger, and fear swirling inside her. She glanced toward the bank president, who was now inspecting the black credit card with a calculating look. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut.

The card. Her uncle had always been secretive about United Realty Corporation’s finances, but this was far beyond anything she had ever anticipated. Why would he try to ruin Ludwik like this?

“Keegan, please,” she whispered, struggling to steady her breath. “You don’t have to do this. There’s another way. This isn’t the path you want to take.”

Her uncle’s eyes darkened, his expression hardening into something bitter and twisted. “You think I’m doing this because I want to? No. I’m doing this because Ludwik and the Bartels have taken everything from me. You can’t see it, but they’ve been behind everything. They’ve pushed me into a corner, and now, I’m fighting back.” He tossed the contract onto the table with force. “And you’re going to help me finish this.”

Whitney shook her head, disbelief tightening her chest. “This isn’t the way. I don’t care what they did, this won’t bring you peace. It will only destroy everything, including me. Please, Keegan, listen to me. This vendetta—it’s a lie.”

Keegan’s hand shot out, grabbing the contract and slamming it down in front of her. His eyes were wild with conviction. “You don’t understand, do you? If I back down now, it’ll all be for nothing. They’ll walk away unscathed, and I’ll be left in the dust. No, Whitney. This is the only way to make them pay.”

The bank president placed the black card in front of Whitney, his smirk deepening as he spoke, his voice dripping with anticipation. “It’s simple. One signature, one transfer, and Ludwik’s empire is finished. You’re the key, Ms. Valentine. I suggest you start thinking carefully.”

Tears burned in Whitney’s eyes, the weight of the situation sinking in. She had never felt so torn in her life. The man who had raised her, the man she had trusted, was so consumed by revenge that he was willing to sacrifice everything—even her—to get what he wanted. She couldn’t let this happen. Not like this.

With trembling hands, she reached for the card, but before she could touch it, a loud crash interrupted the tense silence.

The door to the office slammed open, and a group of security guards stormed in. At the front of the pack was Ludwik, his face pale but determined, his eyes burning with fury.

“Let her go, Keegan,” Ludwik’s voice was steady, but the threat in his tone froze the air in the room.

Keegan’s face contorted with rage. “You’re too late. She’s already part of this now.”

Whitney’s heart skipped a beat. “Ludwik… What are you doing here?” Her voice cracked as the flood of emotions overwhelmed her.

“I’m not going to let him ruin you, Whitney,” Ludwik said, his eyes locked on Keegan. “You’re not a pawn in his game. I’m taking you out of here.”

Keegan pushed himself up, the creaking of his wheelchair loud in the tense silence as he moved closer to the desk. “You don’t have the power to stop me, Ludwik. Not when I hold all the cards.”

Ludwik’s gaze remained cold and unyielding. He stepped forward with quiet resolve. “It’s you who’s lost, Keegan. This game ends now.”

In one swift motion, Ludwik snatched the contract off the table and hurled it into the air, his eyes never leaving Keegan. “You’re not going to destroy everything just to satisfy your ego. Not today.”

The room was thick with tension. The walls seemed to close in as Keegan’s face twisted with disbelief. He had underestimated Ludwik.

“You think you can stop me?” Keegan spat, his hands shaking with rage.

Ludwik’s voice remained calm, almost eerily so, like a storm brewing before the thunder. “I’m not here to play games. This ends with you, Keegan. Now, let Whitney go.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the confrontation hanging like a cloud. Keegan’s eyes burned with fury, but for a moment, he hesitated, his anger giving way to the realization that he had no more moves left.

With a sharp, jerking motion, Keegan gestured to his men. “You’ve made a mistake, Ludwik.”

But Ludwik didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, his presence filling the room, overwhelming and unshakable. And in that moment, Whitney felt a surge of relief. She wasn’t alone anymore.

Keegan’s plans were crumbling. The truth was coming to light, and there was no escape for him now.

“Get out, Keegan,” Whitney finally said, her voice firmer than she had ever heard it. “This is over.”

Keegan’s eyes blazed with rage, but he knew his time had run out. Without another word, he turned and fled the room, his men trailing behind him in a hasty retreat.

As the door slammed behind them, Ludwik turned to Whitney, his gaze softening. His protective, concerned eyes searched hers, but his voice was gentle. “Are you okay?”

Whitney nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t know… I should’ve known better.”

Ludwik cupped her face in his hands, his touch soothing as he wiped away her tears. “You didn’t ask for this, Whitney. None of this was your fault.”

Her heart ached with the weight of everything that had just happened. But in that moment, with Ludwik by her side, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could rebuild—together.

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