Last night was almost a disaster. If Ludwik hadn't stepped in just in time, Whitney would have been gone for good, like a perfectly roasted duck slipping right out of your grasp.
And Bryce, with his slimy tactics, was ready to play dirty. "Even if I let you go, Ludwik, you're just gonna turn around and rat me out. How about I just keep you both here? When the cops show up, I'll just tell them you were having an affair with my wife, drugging her at your wedding, making things look suspicious. Who do you think they'll believe, you or me?"
"Tiana was livid. "Bryce, you're the lowest of the low!"
Just then, Ludwik signaled someone outside, and Shane walked in, an outsider to their drama but wearing a smug smile. "Mr. Lutz, sorry to burst your bubble, but I heard everything you just said about framing Ludwik. I'll be sure to repeat it to the cops."
Bryce's face turned ashen. How many people had Ludwik brought to crash his place?
With Shane now in the mix, Bryce knew he was in for a rough night.
"Look, you have no right to take my wife away. This is a family matter!" Bryce snapped, his anger summoning a few more hired goons into the room.
Ludwik glanced over, his eyes narrowing, ready for a fight. "You know, getting into a brawl won't end well for you. You really don't want the cops finding your house full of hired muscle, do you? Let Whitney go, and I'll overlook tonight's misdeeds."
"You think I was born yesterday?" Bryce scoffed, signaling his goons to attack.
Ludwik sprung into action, engaging them in a fierce battle.
Shane joined in, but since they had already called the police, they hadn't brought any backup, leaving them outnumbered.
But Ludwik knew Bryce wouldn't dare let his goons stick around for long. If the cops caught them, it would be hard to explain, especially with ties to the notorious Patrick family. Was Bryce really willing to drag them into this mess?
That's why Ludwik had stormed in alone tonight. Bryce had too much to hide.
Seizing a moment, Ludwik and Shane managed a powerful kick to Bryce's shin, sending him stumbling backward.
Ludwik then rushed to Tiana and Whitney, pulling them to safety, his knife at Bryce's chest. "Call off your men! Bryce, don't make me end you. You know I've got nothing to lose. I'd consider it justice for Whitney."
Caught off guard, Bryce felt the knife pierce his skin, his neck forced upward, unable to move.
Gritting his teeth, Bryce glanced at Whitney, her face flushed with fury. He had been so close to having her.
"I can't die here."
"Get out," Bryce hissed, defeated for the moment.
Even if Whitney got away tonight, this wasn't over. Bryce had other plans, and soon enough, Ludwik, Whitney, and Tiana would all pay.
But for now, he couldn't afford to die at Ludwik's hand.
Ludwik eased up, pushing Bryce against the wall with a kick. "You really do love your life, don't you?"
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