Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 115

After hanging up the call, Ludwik’s fingers released the grasp on the blanket, and his taut muscles see

med to relax instantly

Felix watched him silently, noticing that the man seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

His lips twitched in amusement. Mr. Lippert’s face might as well have had it written all over it: “Thank go

odness my wife still wants to talk to me.”

He had been enduring all day, yet he still played the cool card and ordered Whitney around. It was prett

y amusing.

Whitney hurried back to the hospital room, grocery bags in hand

As her hand pushed the door open, the man’s gaze instantly shifted away, his face turning cold.

“Hmph,” he snorted with a low, chilly hum.

Whitney’s heart fluttered with insecurity, uncertain if the bodyguard had spilled the beans about her goi

ng undercover. She held up the groceries as a peace offering. “You hate hospital food, right? I went to t

he market and got these to cook for you. That’s why I was late”

Ludwik narrowed his eyes suspiciously. She was visibly upset with him this morning for not trusting her,

and now she was being so nice?

“Stand still. What have you been up to behind my back?” His gaze was sharp as a scalpel.

Whitney’s shoulders slumped. Rather than wait for the bodyguard’s report, she rushed to confess in a l

ow voice, “The police contacted me to go undercover for a bit. I figured you and I are in danger as long

as the criminals are out there. I thought it’s better to…

“Whitney!” Ludwik’s chest heaved with concern, immediately checking her over, “Damn it, are you hurt?

”

His urgency and worry made Whitney feel a sweet warmth in her heart. She shook her head honestly a

nd even twirled to show she was unharmed. Tm perfectly fine.”

She paused, then said, “But…”

“But?” Ludwik’s voice was icy, demanding that she finish her sentence.

That was when Whitney put down the groceries and stepped closer to him. She stood up straight, facin

g the man whose chilly gaze was scrutinizing her, and admitted with a hint of fear, “But, I happened to r

un into Mr. Lutz. He thought I was really in danger and came to my rescue. He got hurt, so Tiana and I t

ook him to surgery. It was just a minor injury.”

Since she had already seen Elaine’s assistant, she figured it was better to come clean herself.

Now, she was changing her tactics completely.

The previous misunderstanding was because she had clumsily tried to smooth things over, which only

played into Elaine’s hands, leading to an even bigger misunderstanding.

If Elaine was going to play dirty, Whitney would leave no room for her to maneuver. She and L needed t

o build trust; the more she shared, the better–he was not one to be handled with force.

But as her words dropped, silence fell, and the man’s face grew stormier by the second.

“Ha, he saved you, so you spent

the afternoon offering yourself to him? Playing the damsel in distress, right?” Ludwik mocked her bitterl

y, anger brewing.

“Ugh.” Whitney was not hurt by his words; instead, she retorted with unusual calmness, teasing him, “L

ook at you, getting jealous over nothing… Don’t misunderstand. I recorded my conversation with him to

prove my

Innocence. Listen for yourself.”

She reluctantly took out her phone and played the recording for him.

Of course, the part where Bryce confessed his feelings was strictly off–limits for this jealous lion.

After listening. Ludwik’s expression softened, though still frosty. The little fool had cleared things up well

enough.

She had even told Bryce that she was pregnant, which Ludwik could tolerate.

Which high–profile man would covet a pregnant woman?

Whitney watched as he pursed his lips and put away his phone, then she

prodded his solid arm, “Are we good now, Mr. Jealous? I just did what any decent person would do and

got him medical help. Please put yourself in my shoes.”

Ha

you still have a lot of business to discuss with him, flirting over dinner tables”

Whitney sighed in resignation. If only to

appease him for now, she silently rolled her eyes in her mind, then spoke with a touch of sadness, “Fin

e, I’ll compromise. If you can’t accept me working with him, I’m willing to give up Skye Gem’s gemstone

deal for you, even though it means paying a hefty breach of contract fee

Ludwik’s gaze faltered slightly, considering her small, dejected face. He had not expected her to go this

far to alleviate his doubts.

It made him seem rather petty.

Even Felix, standing nearby, felt Whitney had been accommodating enough to Mr. Lippert, who was ind

eed too petty.

Ludwik’s lips became stiff, and seeing her look so downcast, he huffed, “You’re sensible enough. I hand

le your gemstone issue. Whatever breach fee he wants, I’ll pay double! And as for Claire’s design,”

“That’s non–

negotiable,” Whitney interjected, her brows furrowed in businesslike determination “I personally promis

ed that, and it concerns my reputation as a designer.”

Ludwik’s gaze deepened but did not press her too much, “Just make sure you keep your distance from

…”

“Got it, a Lutz and Perlman.” Whitney pouted as if she could recite it by heart.

Ludwik watched her, his demeanor threatening, but she quickly turned to retrieve the groceries. “Are yo

u going to eat or not?”

“Do you only know how to cook spaghetti?” He teased with a raised eyebrow, “Can you even cook with

out poisoning me?”

Felix’s lips twitched.

Whitney was even more annoyed, glaring at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll add extra vinegar. It’ll suit your sour j

ealousy Just fine!”

Watching the little lady move skillfully into the tiny kitchen, Ludwik turned to Felix and commanded, “Hel This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

p her out. Wash, chop, and stir–fry the vegetables.”

And what, then, was Whitney supposed to do?

Felix sighed internally. Despite being an assistant, he was a man of pride. “Sir, a gentleman stays clear

“I do know how to chop you, though.”

Without another word, Felix promptly entered the kitchen.

Ludwik glanced toward the kitchen, partially obscured by the suite’s partition but still within a direct line o

The man closed his eyes, his

posture relaxed, his aura of intimidating nobility undiminished even in sickness

It was not about what he wore, even in a hospital gown, with a few strands of hair fathing carelessly som

Elaine watched from the doorway, captivated by the man’s beauty

Ludwik had enchanted

countless young women’s dreams, and in her eyes, not even Ashton compared nor

of the city’s elite. Following her mother’s arrangement, she had waited for him all these years if not for W

Clasping her hands together, Elaine donned a mask of subservience and knocked gently on the door “B

Ludwik opened his eyes at the mention of work and gestured for them to enter.

Elaine stepped inside, glancing around and noticing Whitney’s absence.

She walked rigidly to the side of Ludwik’s bed and handed over the documents.

Castor began to explain the contents: a proposal for a nationwide five–

star hotel chain project by United Realty Corporation.

Ludwik picked up a pen and signed.

Elaine received the documents back but lingered, her concern slipping out unintentionally, Bro, I’ve hear

Ludwik’s brow furrowed at the news.

Elaine glanced at Castor for support.

Castor chuckled reassuringly. “No need to fret, Elaine. Madam was rescued in the nick of time by Bryce

“Castor, if you did not see it, don’t spread rumors!” Elaine interjected quickly, “Bryce did not rescue Whit