Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 88

Nolan’s jaw practically hit the floor, and his cheeks flushed with a rare shade of red from the audacity of

Whitney’s comment.

“Bold words, Whitney,” he stammered, trying to mask his surprise with a chuckle.

Ludwik’s gaze darkened, taking in the sight of the petite woman before him, her cheeks aflame with

indignation. Her delicate hand, soft as a feather, pinched his jawline, a gesture so light it only tickled

him. But the itch spread to his throat, a subtle Adam’s apple bobbing with a sensual threat.

Just like the smoldering look in his eyes.

Whitney turned to him, only to catch him watching her. Repulsed, she released his chin and shot him a

fierce glare.

Ludwik’s lips curved into a sly grin.

His feisty little kitten was back.

“Big Bro! Look at her, shameless and insulting me. Make her leave,” Hannah complained, leaning

closer to Ludwik for support.

His cold gaze swept over her. “Get out,” he commanded with an icy sharpness.

Whitney froze, her heart sinking.

“Did you hear that? He said get out, Whitney!” Hannah sneered with malicious satisfaction.

“I’m talking to you.” Ludwik’s handsome face was stone–cold, his patience wearing thin. He pushed

Hannah away with disdain.

“Nolan!” He growled, his brows knitting in disapproval. “How did this woman get in?”

Nolan glanced at Hannah, clearly exasperated. “How was I supposed to know? I heard Whitney was

here and immediately came to fetch you.”

Whitney looked up at Elaine, who seemed to have excluded herself from all this mess. “Seems like

Hannah arrived with Elaine,” Whitney mentioned offhandedly.

Ludwik’s eyes snapped to Elaine.

Caught off guard by Whitney’s sudden accusation, Elaine smiled innocently. “Oh, Whitney, that’s not

fair. I just bumped into Hannah at the door, right, Hannah?”

Hannah, who had promised not to involve Elaine, nodded in agreement. “This vindictive woman is

slandering others. I’ve been at the club for a while now.”

Whitney’s smile held a tinge of innocence. “Look at you guys getting all worked up. I just mentioned it. I

didn’t say I was certain Hannah came with Elaine. Besides, it wouldn’t be a big deal if she did, right?”

Ludwik’s gaze lingered on Elaine, his brows furrowing slightly.

Elaine’s heart sank as Whitney expertly turned the tables on her. She had worked hard to maintain an

image of

kindness and harmlessness in front of Ludwik.

“Enough, Hannah, stop causing a scene. Let’s focus on mending things between Bro and Whitney,”

Elaine urged, helping Hannah up and portraying herself as the voice of reason and gentleness.

Whitney’s lips curled slightly. Suddenly, she felt a warmth behind her. Through the corner of her eye,

she saw L’s strong arm assertively reaching over, resting on her seat as if embracing her.

Whitney stiffened, immediately scooting away, but the man quickly caught her wrist.

In the dim light, his eyes gleamed with a warm intensity, his voice a low, intoxicating rumble, “Do you

remember that I’m your husband?”

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Chapter BB

A shiver ran through Whitney. With his mask of shadows in the dim light, he resembled a handsome

demon dangerously appealing.

She was holding back so much anger. “Not for long!”

Yet he seemed unaffected, his heart feeling as if a kitten’s paw had brushed it, ticklish and stirring. He

clasped. her small hand firmly, sighing softly, “Will you come home with me?”

Home…

Whitney’s heart felt like a warm blade had pierced it – comforting and bitter. He still knew they had a

home. He even talked about creating a real home together.

After days of neglect….

A tear threatened to escape as she abruptly stood up and darted out of the club.

Ludwik’s brows knitted together, but his lips curved into a sly smile. With his long strides, he caught up

to her

in no time, scooping her up effortlessly and heading to the Bentley parked out front.

Felix, ever the eager assistant, swiftly opened the car door.

Under the brooding night sky, Elaine watched the scene unfold from the club window.

Whitney was tenderly helped into the car by Ludwik. Elaine’s heart twisted in pain, her eyes narrowing.

It seemed this woman now saw her as an enemy.

Good. It would make executing her next plan all the easier.

“I can’t stand it, Elaine,” Hannah seethed with jealousy.

Elaine glanced at her dismissively. This fool stood no chance against Whitney, but she was still useful.

Elaine forced a smile. “Don’t give up, Hannah. I’ll help you create more opportunities.”

“Thank you, Elaine. I’ll make sure that wench Whitney pays!” Hannah vowed through gritted teeth.

Elaine’s lips curled. Yes, once Whitney was out of the picture, Hannah would be no trouble at all.

Silence enveloped the car as Whitney sat as far away from Ludwik as possible, his brow furrowing

deeper with each passing moment.

Felix, driving cautiously, suddenly received a message from Mr. Lippert: [Turn off the heat.]

Felix stealthily glanced at the ‘oceanic gulf‘ between Mr. Lippert and his lady, admiring the ruthless yet

cunning

move.

The heat was off.

As the November chill set in, the car’s temperature dropped rapidly.

Whitney, wrapped in her light sweater, shivered visibly.

Felix checked the rear–view mirror, noting the boss‘ brooding eyes. Another message popped up:

[Talk!]

Speechless, Felix’s jaw twitched.

Could the man not coax his wife himself?

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Felix announced, “Ma’am, it seems the car’s heater is broken! You look

quite cold. Perhaps you could sit closer to your husband, or he could wrap his coat around you…”

Whitney was not blind. The heater in a Bentley broken? She glanced sideways at the composed man

beside her, this mature rascal full of tricks.

She huffed in annoyance.

Ludwik arched an eyebrow and slipped off his jacket, extending the warm garment to her. “Since Felix

mentioned it, why don’t you sit on my lap.”

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“No thanks!” She rejected him coldly, tossing the jacket back at him.

The rebuffed man merely smirked.

Felix’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

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Ludwik turned to watch her, her profile radiating stubborn coldness. She was still angry, even though

she had agreed to come home with him.

It felt like a kitten’s paw was scratching his heart. His lips curved into a mature smile, and with a

narrowed gaze, he reached out to hook her delicate hand.

Whitney dodged quickly, sending him a glare of irritation.

The man’s fingers, burning hot, reached out again.

She tried to evade but was trapped against the side of the car.

With a swift pull, he caught her tender, defenseless hand.

Annoyed, Whitney turned and slapped his hand away!

“Are you always this annoying?” She pouted, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, looking both

petulant and utterly wronged.

Ludwik just blinked in surprise.

The phone rang with a jingle, and Whitney’s heart skipped a beat as she quickly turned to answer it. It

was Tiana on the other end. “I was worried about you. I went to the Royal One Club to find you. Where

are you?”

Whitney pursed her lips, “I’m already home.”

“Home… with L?” Tiana’s voice was laden with implication as she gasped dramatically.

Whitney remained silent.

In the ensuing silence, Tiana blinked and hung up.

Handsome men were so alluring was it not just the other day they talked about breaking up, even

divorce?

Tiana smirked and spun around in the club, only to collide with a veritable wall of muscle.

I F 5

She looked up to see Parker, behind his glasses, a face as chiseled as if it were carved with an ink

brush, a visage that could rival any Hollywood heartthrob behind spectacles.

A blush crept over Tiana’s cheeks. Her memory of that night was a jumbled mess, but she seemed to

recall this very man coming to her rescue, even teasing her about being a ‘plain view?

Yet when she woke up, she found herself abandoned in a hospital corridor, discarded like trash.

Facing this somewhat graceless man, Tiana mustered her politeness, “Parker, ahem, you saved me

that night, didn’t you?”