Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 227

“Listen, girl,” Bryce declared, his voice a blend of solemnity and tenderness. “I only plan to walk down

the aisle once in my life, and I want it to be with one woman only.”

“Mr. Lutz, please, can we not talk about this?” Whitney’s heart hammered in her chest, fearing their

relationship might sour.

Fortunately, he soon released her, sighing with a sense of resignation. “You’re too guarded when it

comes to love. Guess sweet–talking you isn’t going to cut it, huh? Looks like I’ll have to win over your

heart the old–fashioned way. Good thing I’ve got plenty of time. Consider all the perks of having me as

your man.”

Whitney could not help but chuckle, the tension easing.

After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Everything okay with the Lutz Group these past few days? And

you? Anything out of the ordinary? Make sure there’s extra security at the engagement party tomorrow,

okay?”

Bryce narrowed his eyes in thought. “What’s worrying you?”

She recalled Ludwik’s threatening words at the bridal boutique and could not shake off a sense

of unease.

“Nothing specific, just… be careful, that’s all.”

“I know what’s got you spooked. Don’t worry, I’m not defenseless. The Lutz Group has clout here in

Banyan City. I haven’t done anything illegal. If anyone wants to start trouble, they’d need a damn good

reason,” Bryce said with steady confidence.

Whitney let out a small sigh of relief and yawned. “It’s getting late, Bryce. You should head

home.”

He seemed pleased with her use of his name, squeezing her hand. “I’ll pick you up in the morning, my

lovely fiancée.”

With his bodyguards stationed at the door, Whitney closed it behind her, feeling secure. Yet, sleep

eluded her that night, her eyes wide until dawn.

The engagement party was set at the Hilton Hotel near Bryce’s mansion for convenience’s sake.

Valerie arrived early, but Tiana called unexpectedly. “Whitney, I found the girl from TriMed Hospital! I

have to see her. I’ll be late to your engagement bash.”

This was indeed good news. The truth behind Elaine’s kidney donation surgery could finally come to

light with this girl.

Whitney was the picture of composure as she followed Bryce into the hotel’s ballroom.

The décor was understated, befitting the Lutz family’s preference for privacy, though a few

16:05

media outlets and some shareholders were present due to the company’s influence.

Members of the Lutz family, along with the formidable Hunter and Claire, were seated in places

of honor.

“This is as low–key as it gets,” Bryce whispered gently, noting her preference for simplicity. “Still, we

need to promote it just right.”

Understanding the pressure Bryce faced from his family, Whitney felt grateful for the modest setting.

Her makeup was light, and her smile was genuine. She willingly linked her arm with his, saying,

“Pleasure doing business with you, Bryce.”

“It’s a pleasure getting engaged to you, my dear,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with happiness. As the

soft music played, they walked down the aisle together. The ceremony was a local tradition, so they

were to partake in a tea ceremony.

With each step toward the end of the aisle, her smile remained, but inside, a tearful storm raged.

In her mind, she saw the face of the man she once loved–his elegance, his stern affection, the things

he’d done for her, and those that had hurt her. She bid farewell to that chapter of her life.

She was about to start anew, as Valerie had suggested–perhaps even find peace away from the turmoil

of love.

No more of him. Whitney had to get used to that.

The master of ceremonies handed Whitney a teacup, pulling her from her reverie. She met Hunter’s

imposing gaze for the first time.

“If you’re shy about calling him ‘dad,‘ just call him ‘Hunter,“” Bryce joked softly.

“To Hunter and Claire,” Whitney said, raising her cup with a smile.

Bryce’s parents surveyed her approvingly, their gazes eventually settling on her stomach. “You must be

due in a couple of months. If it were not for that video you two leaked, I’d have thought Bryce was just

fooling around. We didn’t realize he had jumped the gun! You’ve been through a lot these past months.

Once the baby is born, our family won’t let you down.”

Whitney stiffened slightly, but Bryce wrapped an arm around her protectively.

After the tea ceremony concluded, the large screen behind them suddenly flashed with an image,

seizing everyone’s attention.

The Lutz relatives gasped in shock, turning to the elders. “Mom, Dad, look behind you!”

The elders, confused, turned to see what caused the commotion.

Whitney’s heart sank as she raised her head and saw the intimate photo of her and Ludwik in

16.05

bed plastered across the screen–a photo she had taken only for Elaine, showing them under a blanket,

their nakedness barely concealed.

The photo was timestamped just a week ago, and her pregnant belly was unmistakable.

“What on earth is going on?” the Lutz relatives demanded.

The air grew heavy with the elders‘ disapproval.

Bryce’s expression darkened, his shock turning to disbelief. He quickly barked orders to shut off the

screen, but it was too late.

A medical report followed the photo, showing a ‘prenatal paternity test‘ with Whitney as the patient and

Ludwik as the father.

Hunter was speechless for a moment before slamming his hand on the table and turning to Bryce and Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Whitney. “What the hell is this?!”

Whitney’s face lost all color, her legs barely supporting her.

Bryce held her steady, his normally warm face now icy with fury. He had prepared for everything and

vetted every hotel employee, yet overlooked one detail–the screen was hacked and beyond control.

What he had not expected was Ludwik’s ability to produce such a damning photo.

“Dad, let me explain…”

“Have you both been playing us for fools? What’s this woman’s real story? Is that child even yours?!”

Hunter trembled with rage.

A sardonic laugh rose from the back of the room.

Bryce turned to see Gunner, his eyes glinting with disdain.

Gunner’s father had been locked in a succession battle with Bryce, but with Gunner’s lackluster

performance, Bryce had maintained a firm grip on the reins of power at Lutz Group.

At this moment, how could Gunner let bygones be bygones? In a sarcastically sweet tone, he said,

“Grandpa, are you all in the dark? This Ms. Valentine here is Ludwik’s ex–wife. But of course, Uncle

Bryce here has managed to bury all her stories. And since the older folks never dig for the truth, it’s

tough for you to grasp what’s real.”

He clicked his tongue and added, “Just look at the date on this photo. Ms. Valentine was still rolling in

the hay with her ex just a week ago!

Carrying her ex’s child, still entangled with him, and yet she has the audacity to stir up a scandalous

video with Uncle Bryce. I have no idea what love potion she used, but she somehow got Uncle Bryce to

claim this love child as his own willingly. It’s just a shame, really. Grandpa and Grandma, you were so

overjoyed for nothing, and now you have to suffer this embarrassment!”

“Shut your mouth, Gunner,” Bryce’s voice was icy cold.

16:06

The scene descended into chaos. Even though the Lutz family relatives had heard whispers about

Whitney, none dared to speak against Bryce in front of the old man.

But now, criticisms and insults toward Whitney began to surface.

Seeing the media frenzy below, Hunter stood up in a panic, his gaze filled with utter disappointment as

he looked at Whitney. Suddenly, he clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground!

“Dad!” Bryce’s face went pale as he rushed to his father’s side.