Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 790

"Ludwik, what in the world are you doing here at this hour?" Whitney asked, surprise flickering through her voice as she picked up the call.

Ludwik's lips were a tight line. "I got you some first aid cream. Felix told me it's the best, works wonders. The bruise on your face should stop hurting in a day or two."

"...How did you know?" Whitney's brow furrowed, realization dawning on her that the kids must have seen her swollen face and told Ludwik.

Her tone slightly uneasy, she said, "I've already applied some herbal paste, it's not hurting anymore."

"Herbal remedies don't work that fast. My ointment is way better. Come out, let me help you apply it," Ludwik insisted.

Whitney felt a headache coming on, remembering this bruise was ultimately because of him. "You're not a doctor, how would you know my herbal paste isn't as good as your cream? Is everything you buy the best in the world? Ludwik, please, I'm begging you, stop bothering me. Every time you're involved, it's never good news."

"...Sorry, Whitney. Did Bryce hit you because he found out about that night in the bathroom when you were helping me?" Ludwik's voice was cold with a chilling undertone, filled with pain as he asked.

Whitney paused, surprised. She thought he only knew about her injury, not that Bryce had hit her. Her thoughts were in turmoil, not wanting to add more trouble, especially knowing his temper, "Don't jump to conclusions, it's not because of you..."

"Darling, stop lying to me," Ludwik's voice was gentle, but his eyes pierced with a cold sharpness. "I went to the Sheldon Group looking for you yesterday, Cody said you didn't show up for work. Did he hit you the night before, and that's why you've been hiding?"

His anger grew with every word, his fingers clenched. "That bastard Bryce, I won't let him get away with this. I'm going to make him pay, I could kill him right now."

"Ludwik...have you lost your mind?" Whitney’s voice burst out in fear. Knowing his temper, he might actually confront Bryce, and given his current down-and-out status, getting into a fight would land him in jail. Did he not understand?

"Don't you dare go!"

"I'm not insane, I just feel helpless. My woman gets hurt, and I can't tolerate that scumbag. I've left the ointment at your doorstep, make sure to pick it up."

He stooped to place the ointment carefully by the door, then turned, slamming the car door with force.

Whitney, panic-stricken, rushed to the window and saw the resolve in his profile, unmistakably ready for a confrontation. She cursed under her breath and hurried downstairs, blocking his car a few meters away, "What are you doing? Isn't it enough that I came down?"

Ludwik hit the brakes, thankfully not too fast. The headlights flashed, illuminating her slender figure almost transparently. She had rushed out so quickly that she hadn't even put on a coat over her silk nightdress, and her bruised face was clearly visible under the light. Ludwik’s gaze fixed on her, his heart breaking.

He quickly stepped out, draping his coat around her, pulling her into his arms under the cloak of night. His eyes bore into hers, "Bryce dared to hurt you like this, that son of a bitch."

Whitney saw the rage in his eyes.

Lowering her gaze, her voice trembled with a cold edge, "Ludwik, please don't confront him."