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Chapter_291
At first, Ludwik seemed somewhat fair regarding Jaxon’s situation, and for a fleeting moment, Whitney almost believed he wasn’t entirely lost to her. The way he addressed the issue made her think he might still be naïve about her uncle’s case, or perhaps he was simply being manipulated by Elaine’s influence. But that fleeting moment of doubt disappeared just as quickly as it had come. Any shred of goodwill she had started to feel for him evaporated the instant she saw his eyes narrow, and his posture stiffen.
Just as Whitney was about to take a step forward and confront Ludwik, Bryce’s steady hand gently pulled her back. He positioned himself between her and Ludwik, his posture subtly protective, but there was no mistaking the sharp edge in his voice when he addressed Ludwik. “Mr. Lippert, if you’re in need of a billion, I can tell you that the owner of this establishment certainly doesn’t need your offer. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I happen to own a bit of it—90% to be exact. So, you and your fiancée can see yourselves out.”
Bryce’s words were laced with disdain, a confident dismissal that was almost theatrical. He gestured toward the door, the motion clear: this conversation was over. Whitney could barely hold back a smirk at the sheer audacity of it all. It felt like the kind of dismissal one might give to an unwanted guest at a party.
Ludwik, however, was unperturbed. His icy gaze met Bryce’s without faltering, his lips curling into a thin line. “Mr. Lutz,” he started, his voice cold and deliberate, “it seems you’ve forgotten the prison incident from three years ago in Emperor City. Or maybe you’re eager for a repeat of that little ‘tea party’? It’s brave of you to flaunt your strength in front of a lady, but perhaps you should reconsider your own abilities before pushing things too far.”
Elaine, ever the opportunist, couldn’t resist adding her two cents, her voice dripping with mockery. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz is just trying to impress Ms. Valentine. He’s provoking you because he can’t handle a scolding. It looks like Ms. Valentine has quite a hold over her man.” She seemed to revel in the tension between them, a smug smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Whitney’s expression turned icy as she shot back, “Unlike Elaine, who’s still following Mr. Lippert’s every whim after three years, I seem to know how to handle men better.” The sharpness in her words cut through the air, leaving a silence that only further intensified the tension.
Bryce raised an eyebrow, his grip on Whitney’s hand tightening ever so slightly. He played along with the banter, his voice full of confidence. “Exactly. I’ve been meaning to make you my wife for quite some time now—probably the worst-kept secret in Banyan City. But I know your heart’s focused on your career. Unlike Elaine, who’s seemingly forgotten about her own career in favor of marriage, yet still hasn’t gotten around to tying the knot after three years.”
Elaine’s face turned a shade of green, her pride stung by the remark. She tried to mask it with a tight smile, but it was clear that the words had hit a nerve.
Ludwik, noticing the change in Elaine’s demeanor, stepped forward, his gaze hardening. He was about to say something, but Bryce’s next words stopped him cold.
“How could I forget the prison disaster?” Bryce’s tone was laced with a quiet threat. “I’d be happy to invite Mr. Lippert for another round of ‘tea’—unless you think you can handle it, of course.”
Ludwik’s jaw tightened at the challenge, but he held his ground, unwilling to show weakness. He didn’t need to prove anything to Bryce. The Lutz Group might have flourished under Bryce’s leadership over the past few years, but Ludwik’s influence in Banyan City was still considerable.
Whitney, uninterested in their escalating power struggle, turned to Bryce with a cool, detached smile. “The executives are waiting. Let’s not allow irrelevant people to ruin our celebration.” Her words were sharp, a clear dismissal of Ludwik and Elaine.
Elaine’s frustration was palpable, but she wasn’t about to let Whitney have the final word. She grabbed Ludwik’s arm, pulling him to face her. “Ludwik, enough! We can’t let her get away with this. We can still—”
Before she could finish, Ludwik’s grip tightened, pulling away from her and sending her a look that silenced her instantly. “Elaine, let’s go.”
Whitney and Bryce moved toward their reserved spot, the silence following them like a weight. But Whitney’s mind was still racing, her thoughts sharp and calculating. The Bartels family wasn’t just a looming threat—they were a ticking time bomb. If they were to act quickly, they might be able to get ahead of the game.
“Bryce, Jaxon’s the key,” she murmured, her voice low and purposeful. “We need to get him talking. If the Bartels family tries to silence him, we have to stop them before they can.”
Bryce’s expression hardened, his eyes flickering with understanding. “You’re right. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep him quiet. My security can’t hold him for much longer before the Bartels get involved.”
Whitney’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll use Jaxon as leverage. Get him to the police—any way we can. The longer he’s in their hands, the better. We need time, Bryce. Time to uncover everything. The Bartels will make mistakes.”
Bryce gave a sharp nod. “I’ll get my people on it. But this isn’t a permanent solution. Eventually, the Bartels will try to pull some strings with the police.”
Whitney’s lips curved into a cold smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know. But for now, Jaxon’s our insurance. If we keep him in the station, the Bartels won’t be able to reach him easily. We’ll expose their corruption, one step at a time.”
Her voice was steady, confident. The game was on, and she wasn’t about to let anyone stand in her way. The Bartels family had underestimated her, and now they would pay for it.
