Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 688

In the midst of his overwhelming grief, he seemed oblivious to everything else, consumed by regret. "If it hadn't been for what you did to my mom back then, I wouldn't have harbored such hatred for you, fueled by Elaine's manipulations.

Yes, I admit I was foolish, placing my trust in Elaine for so long.

But even in those three years of hatred, you were always on my mind.

And when you returned, transformed, surrounded by men, my feelings were torn. I tormented you even as I couldn't help but be drawn to you.

Every indulgence I showed Elaine was actually a display of my frustration from not being able to hold onto you.

Only Parker knew the truth - that I've always loved you.

Later, for the sake of a spinal surgery, I had to make a deal with Florence.

I made so many mistakes, until I finally lost you for good.

People say it's a waste to play a good hand poorly.

That must be referring to someone like me.

Ha.

Once considered a golden boy, I thought I could keep you firmly within my grasp.

I stubbornly believed that as long as I was powerful, I could control you forever.

Even if you hated me, I thought there'd be time for you to fall in love with me.

All the things I did, everything, was to be with you.

I tried so hard, so why did it end with us forever apart?

Why is fate so cruel, punishing me with the inability to love you?

I can't bear it any longer!"

His roar was uncontrollable, his handsome face twisted in torment as he gazed at her, perhaps realizing it was truly over. In a frenzy, he grabbed her cheeks and kissed her forcefully.

"Whitney, I'm suffering the consequences now. After everything on the island, it's as if fate won't allow me to have you anymore.

If this is a dream, please forgive me this one last desperate moment..."

His lips met hers, and Whitney found herself unable to escape as he held her tightly, their kiss filled with a sense of desperation. He had lost his mind.

And she had nowhere to run.

Her eyes, wide with anger and filled with tears, refused to let this moment define her.

The humiliation on the island, she could not forgive!

But in a moment of blankness, she hesitated in her resistance,

Her thoughts drifted to the bandages on his body, piecing together his words of self-loathing, her heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that he really... was hurt?

Blinking away tears, she took the moment to check.

...There was no response from him.

Her mind went blank with shock. Clearly, he was too drunk to know what he was doing.

But under normal circumstances, a man would react, especially given his previously dominant behavior.

Could it be that he was truly... incapacitated?

That's why he was crying.

Whitney's face, pressed against his tears, felt a complex stir of emotions, recalling his drunken words about how he had always loved her, through the times with Elaine and Florence, always struggling for their relationship. He didn't understand how things had come to this tragic end.

Nor did she.

Whitney's eyes slowly reddened, but he was right, this was all his own doing.

Including his current predicament, perhaps it was karma for how he endlessly tormented her on the island.

Wiping away her tears, she finally pushed him away.

His tall figure, no longer resisting, slumped beside the bathtub.

Whitney cleaned her lips, looking at his handsome face with mixed feelings. No wonder he had been acting so strangely lately; as a man, he might have lost something very dear to him.

Especially given his needs.

No wonder he had called out of the blue, saying he would never marry or have children.

In such a condition, loneliness was inevitable...

Such a blow would explain his listlessness.

Whitney stared at the scars on his face... her heart felt an indescribable heaviness.

Was she happy? Satisfied?

She didn't feel so. Instead, there was a deep, sour feeling inside her, perhaps pity.

After a while, Whitney sighed deeply, realizing he couldn't be left wet from the bath. With no other choice, she carefully dried him off and treated his wounds with iodine and ointment, finally covering him with a blanket and turning on the bathroom heater. After all was done, she quietly left the room.

But back in the car park of the hotel, Whitney sat in her car for a long time, lost in thought.

She hadn't expected so much to have happened to him all at once.

Who could have caused his injuries? Was it during his time in custody? It was truly... unbelievable.

-

The next morning, Whitney woke, taking her sons downstairs for breakfast.

Bryce was waiting outside to take her to the Sheldon Group's headquarters.

With the documents prepared in the car, Whitney finally noticed Bryce's unusual silence; the atmosphere seemed off...

Just as she was about to speak, they arrived at the Sheldon Group's entrance.

Only then did Bryce turn to her, "Whitney, we're here."

Whitney looked into his gentle eyes.

She noticed Bryce rarely showed signs of being down. In other words, his feelings were not easily discernible.

Making it hard for her to gauge what he was truly thinking.

"Bryce... you seem a bit distracted today?" Whitney ventured.

Bryce, playing with the steering wheel, offered a smile, "Not at all. Go ahead, I'll message you once I've reached the Lutz Group."

Nodding, Whitney replied, "Drive safely. Let me know when you get to the Lutz Group."

Bryce gave a nod, then suddenly locked eyes with her, "Whitney... I heard Ludwik got beaten up last night."

Whitney paused.

Then, stepping out of the car, she maintained her composure, though a hint of guilt lingered, "If he got beaten, that's his problem, not mine."

Bryce watched her cold, beautiful face soften into a smile, "Right, he's none of our concern now.

By the way, honey, about the collaboration between the Lutz Group and the Sheldon Group I mentioned a few days ago, have you given it any thought?"

Now you're a junior director at Sheldon Enterprises, kiddo. You've got a big say in the partnerships we form.

I'm just here trying to drum up some business for us, you know? Plus, having Sheldon Enterprises as a front can really make Lutz Corp shine.

After all, we're practically family, right? It's all about keeping it in the house, making sure nothing goes to waste."

Whitney blinked, hesitating for a moment. This was something she'd been mulling over for a while.

Bryce wanting to partner up with Sheldon Enterprises wasn't an issue. They were, in a manner of speaking, family. But... Whitney felt this was a new side to him. He'd never shown any interest in getting cozy with the Sheldons before. And besides, Lutz Corp and Skye Gem Ltd. were already thick as thieves.

Whitney chuckled, "Bryce, you know as well as I do that Sheldon Enterprises isn't my solo gig."