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Chapter_211
The assistant’s voice came through almost pleading. “There’s one thing you can do, Ms. Valentine. Stand by him, publicly. Let people know that you’re not just some casualty of this scandal—show them you’re a team. He’s taking all the heat for your sake, but he won’t hold up if this continues. A simple statement from you—about your relationship, about your trust in him—might turn the tide. It’s not just about saving him, it’s about saving both of you.”
Whitney’s heart twisted in her chest. Guilt mingled with something deeper, more complex. She’d already been through so much, and Bryce had been the one constant, standing by her side even when everything else was falling apart. He was fighting this battle for her—without asking for anything in return.
Her thoughts swirled. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on her shoulders. She could almost hear the media’s cruel whispers, the skeptical eyes of shareholders, and the judgment of everyone watching. If she stood by him, if she publicly aligned herself with Bryce, there would be no turning back. But wasn’t this what she had to do? Stand by him, just as he had done for her?
“I’ll do it,” she said, her voice quieter than she expected, but resolute. “I’ll make a statement.”
The relief was palpable in the assistant’s voice. “Thank you, Ms. Valentine. I know this isn’t easy, but it’s the right thing to do. You won’t regret it.”
Whitney hung up, her hand still gripping the phone as the silence settled around her. The room felt still, as though time itself had paused to bear witness to her decision. With a deep breath, she turned to her PR manager. “Get a statement ready. We’re going public.”
As Valerie and Tiana scrambled to prepare the announcement, Whitney moved to the window of her office. The city sprawled below her—an unforgiving battleground, but also a sanctuary she had fought so hard to protect. She thought of her grandfather and the legacy he had entrusted her with, the legacy that was now in jeopardy. But more than that, she thought of Bryce. His future, his reputation—he had taken the fall for her, and now it was her turn to do the same.
In that moment, Whitney realized that this wasn’t just about saving Skye Gem. It wasn’t even about her own reputation. This was about protecting the people she cared about, no matter the cost.
As she stood tall, her gaze hardening with newfound resolve, she whispered to herself, “I won’t let anyone tear apart what we’ve built. Not Ludwik, not anyone.” The battle was far from over—but this time, she wouldn’t fight alone.
Meanwhile, Bryce sat at his desk, rubbing his temples in frustration. His world was crumbling. The calls were relentless—family, shareholders, the press. The scandal was spreading faster than he could contain it, and each new development made the situation worse.
The door to his office opened, and his assistant stepped in, holding a phone. “Mr. Lutz, Ms. Valentine is on the line.”
His heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected to hear from her—not after everything that had happened. He took the phone from her, his voice hoarse. “Whitney?”
“I’m here,” she said, her voice steady, but there was a weight in her words—something significant. “I’ve thought about it, Bryce. I’m going to make a public statement—about us.”
The phone seemed to slip in his hand, his grip tightening instinctively. “Are you sure? Whitney, you don’t have to do this.”
“I want to,” she said softly. “You’ve done so much for me, and now it’s time for me to do something for you. I won’t let you face this alone.”
A long pause followed, and Bryce found himself almost breathless. Her trust—her choice—it meant more than he could put into words. In that moment, everything felt as though it might crumble, but at least they were in it together.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “You don’t know what this means.”
“I do,” she replied, the words almost a vow. “I do.”
As the call ended, Bryce leaned back in his chair, letting out a long, slow breath. The uncertainty was still overwhelming, but one thing was certain: Whitney had chosen to stand with him. That alone was worth more than anything else.
Within hours, the statement was drafted and released to the press:
“In the face of adversity, I stand by my decision to trust and work with Bryce Lutz. The accusations and scandal surrounding him are unjust, and I know him to be a man of integrity, one who has shown unwavering support for me and my company in a time of crisis. I ask the public to respect our privacy and allow us to navigate this situation in a manner that reflects the values we hold dear.”
The reactions came quickly—some praised her courage, others saw it as a desperate attempt to salvage a faltering reputation. But for Whitney, it wasn’t about the public’s judgment. It was about making sure Bryce knew she was with him, no matter what the world said.
As the news spread, the pressure on them both grew heavier. But so did the bond between them. This wasn’t just about Skye Gem anymore. It was about two people, bound together by shared turmoil, fighting not just for their livelihoods but for something more.
For the first time in a long time, Whitney felt a flicker of hope. They had each other. And together, they would fight until the very end.
