Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 686

"Whitney!"

Sandy grabbed her arm, trying to hold her back, "Don't do it. Just call the cops. Looks like there's someone with a knife over there."

"Just call the cops, get Cody to send some security over!"

With those words, Whitney frowned and ran towards the trouble.

But when she reached the alley, in front of a muddy puddle, she was shocked to find Ludwik on the ground, beaten and battered. His once impeccable features were marred with bruises, his clothes stained with dirt and blood. The darkness seemed to swallow him whole, making him appear broken and defeated.

How could Ludwik, known for his strength and fighting skills, be reduced to this? To Whitney, the men attacking him should have been no match for Ludwik's prowess.

Yet there he was, unconscious, his silhouette a shadow of despair.

"Come on, wake up..." Whitney muttered, but before she could finish, one of the thugs, bottle in hand, lunged at Ludwik's leg. Whitney reacted instantly, kicking the man away, "Stop it, I've called the cops!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

From behind, Lane approached with a swagger, attempting to grab Whitney by her hair but stopping short when he saw her face. Recognizing her, he sneered, "So it's the new head of the Sheldon Group, Ms. Valentine herself. Heard you got hitched. Running to Ludwik's rescue now, are we? Got something on the side with him?"

"Who are you?" Whitney's frown deepened, recognizing the man but unable to place him immediately.

"Me? I'm the CEO of the Lane Group!" Lane boasted, clearly underestimating Whitney given the current uncertainties surrounding the Sheldon Group's future leadership.

Whitney then remembered. Lane was the one who had caused a scene at Ludwik's company, threatening to take over the Lippert family business.

Seeing the contract in Lane's hand and Ludwik battered on the ground, she pieced everything together. Lane was exploiting Ludwik's vulnerable state for a second time.

Her anger turned to laughter, "Funny, I stumbled upon you beating someone to a pulp. Shouldn't you be the one running off? But since you're here, maybe I should reconsider my mercy."

"So, you're protecting Ludwik?" Lane gritted his teeth.

"Not protecting him, just a good citizen stopping a crime."

"Fine, have it your way," Lane bellowed, signaling his bodyguards to attack. But Whitney was unfazed, knowing her backup had arrived. With a simple gesture, she commanded, "They're brawling. Stop them."