Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 804

The police had already apprehended the driver responsible for the accident—a disheveled, forty-year-old man with a hearing impairment in his left ear.

Upon seeing Whitney and Ludwik, the driver immediately fell to his knees, his voice trembling with genuine fear as he apologized, "I'm so sorry, it wasn't on purpose. I'm deaf in my left ear, and I was checking my phone while driving. I didn't hear the traffic signal, and that's how I lost control and hit you...

I'm just a regular guy, driving for a living. My family's scraping by, and there's no way I can afford to pay for the damages to your car. Looks like jail is the only option for me."

He looked utterly terrified.

Whitney frowned in annoyance at the driver.

Ludwik, however, gave the driver a chilling glance, his gaze as piercing as x-rays, noting the calluses on the driver's hands and the bulky physique hidden beneath his clothes, "You say it was an accident, or were you paid to do what you're good at? You know what's in your heart. A regular driver? Your build suggests you're more of a bouncer than a driver.

And as for being poor... how come I found out you just sent your son abroad for college a few days ago? Where'd the money for that come from?"

The middle-aged driver paused, a look of confusion crossing his face, "What are you talking about, sir?

I'm in shape because I work out. Nobody said regular folks can't hit the gym.

As for my son's college funds, that was the result of over a decade of hard work and savings.

What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Who paid you?" Ludwik stepped closer, his presence imposing, "I suspect you're not really a driver.

You disguised yourself as one to try and kill me and my child!

Officer, this man's situation is not as ordinary as it seems. He only moved to Emperor City a month ago, and his son, who's only 13, was suddenly sent abroad days ago. Furthermore, he has just bought property overseas."

The driver's eyes darkened slightly, "I've said, that was all the money I've saved over the years, and I have relatives abroad. You can check if you don't believe me."

Ludwik's eyes turned cold, realizing the money used to hire the hitman wouldn't be easy to trace.

The officer glanced at him, then ordered his team to take the driver away before turning to Ludwik, "Mr. Lippert, we will investigate your concerns. But do you have any concrete evidence to support your claim that this man is not a driver but a hired thug?"

"Officer, after the accident, I used some resources to look into this driver's background and found evidence suggesting he might have been hired to pose as a driver, potentially to harm my child and me," Ludwik sighed, "Mr. Wendt, you know my past might have made me some enemies. Now, someone's targeting my child, and I can't help but be worried."

Ludwik framed the car accident as a serious attempt on their lives.

The officer frowned, "Mr. Lippert, rest assured, if this is not a mere accident, we will initiate a criminal investigation. We won't let anyone get away with intentionally harming a child."

"Thank you, officer."

Ludwik nodded, his icy gaze not softening. As he and Whitney walked to the exit, they both understood that the police's investigation might not yield much.

"Whitney, I can't show the police the message Ashton sent. It would alert the Patrick family and potentially endanger his undercover operation... I'm sorry, it looks like the police will have to handle the investigation into our son's accident."

"It'll probably lead nowhere," Whitney said, looking down.

"Maybe not," Ludwik's gaze hardened, "Even if we don't catch the mastermind, we'll make sure they feel the heat. Think about it, the hitman was a loan from the Patrick family, who are yet unaware. Once the police start sniffing around the Patrick family and Wade finds out someone acted without his knowledge, do you think he'll confront Bryce?"

Whitney paused, admiring Ludwik's foresight.

Ludwik's eyes widened in disbelief, hurt and anger mixing in his gaze.

Did she realize what she was saying?

His emotions were a turbulent storm, but she seemed utterly composed, even righteous in her stance.

Just moments ago, she seemed to trust him, even beginning to doubt Bryce. Why the sudden shift? Why side with Bryce, insisting on going home with him? Damn it.

What was she playing at?

"Bryce, let's hit the road!" Whitney said with a decisive turn, blatantly ignoring Ludwik's murderous glare as she clutched her purse and hopped into Bryce's truck.

Bryce couldn't hide his smirk, shooting Ludwik a triumphant look that could kill.

He helped Whitney into the truck, affectionately ruffling her hair as if they were the quintessential American couple heading home after a long day.

Ludwik kicked at the base of a nearby oak, his fury burning like a wildfire. He couldn't fathom what was going through her mind. Had she completely lost it?

Inside the truck, Bryce was in high spirits, gently squeezing Whitney's hand. "Whitney, thanks for being so considerate. You've made my day. I half expected you to be over there, playing the doting mom."

"I wanted to, but I can't keep worrying like this. Ludwik is their father, after all. He should step up and not leave everything to me. I didn't want you to start feeling uneasy about it."

Hearing this, Bryce felt a warm sense of reassurance wash over him. This woman was truly coming into her own.