Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



He always prided himself on being impeccably groomed, a man of sophistication. Since returning from that island, it seemed sleep had become a stranger.

But that was none of her concern.

Whitney's gaze suddenly turned icy.

"Whitney, you're here because...?"

His voice, husky and laced with caution, barely began before Whitney cut him off, "I'm obviously here for Tiana. Why did you break your promise? Why haven't you released Tiana? Are you deliberately making me come here? Ludwik, don't stoop so low."

Ludwik's breath hitched, his complex gaze fixed on her with a tinge of a sad smile, "I didn't force you to come. Nor am I holding Tiana against her will. She went with us to search for Parker's last known location and left today. I understand your concern for not being able to contact her, but she truly has returned."

Whitney paused, biting her lip, "But I couldn't reach her phone. And you, you didn't answer yours."

Standing behind his desk, Ludwik straightened some scattered files and pulled out his phone, noticing the missed calls, "Sorry. It's been chaotic here at the office, as you might have seen."

His tone was cool, mixed with a hint of self-mockery, making Whitney feel awkwardly out of place.

It seemed he really had let Tiana go.

Just moments ago, someone boldly declared they'd take over the Lippert family; his company must be in turmoil...

Quietly retracting her steps, Whitney mumbled, "Then I should check if Tiana has returned."

She gripped her purse, ready to leave, his presence overwhelming the office.

"Whitney." Ludwik's voice stopped her, his deep gaze locking onto her. Was she really leaving?

He scrambled for something to say, "Sammy... you've seen him, haven't you?"

Whitney frowned, "Of course, I've seen him. Ludwik, you're swamped, probably can't take care of him, right?"

Bringing up Sammy, Whitney couldn't help but recall the island-if not for Ludwik using Sammy to buy time, she wouldn't have had to submit to him for a month.

Her voice turned colder, "You rescued Sammy but kept it from me. Whatever your reasons... you've tormented me long enough. Sammy has always been raised by me alone. He's essentially my son. I don't think you need to contest his custody. And Danny... Danny would surely prefer living with me. I want to raise both my sons."

"Fine," Ludwik's reply was surprisingly swift, his deep eyes darkening.

Whitney didn't expect his agreement so readily. Turning back to him, she saw a profound sorrow in his gaze.

The Lippert family was in shambles; he probably couldn't spare time for the kids.

"You can take Sammy to live with you for a while. I agree to you raising them alone," Ludwik continued, "But I will never agree to you living with Bryce and them."

Whitney stiffened.

She had already agreed to Bryce's suggestion to move into his mansion soon.

Her panic did not escape Ludwik, his gaze hardening.

He stepped closer, his presence towering, "You're not planning to stay with Bryce, are you?"

Whitney clenched her jaw.

Ludwik had his answer, his anger flaring, "After spending a whole month with me on that island, every inch of you marked by me, you still won't divorce him? Or won't he let you go?"

"Shut up."

Whitney, flushed with

embarrassment from his

brazenness, retorted, "Ludwik, who↓

choose to be with is my absolute

right, and it's none of your business anymore! We used to fear you, unable to fight back. But now,

behind you at the Lippert family."

Pointing angrily at the office, Whitney let out, "The Lippert Group's value might as well be on par with

my Skye Gem Ltd. now. You've fallen to the bottom in Emperor City,

I... I've joined the Sheldon Gro White

possibly its future heir. I was no match for you before, but now? Do you think you're still worthy of me? I'm not afraid of you anymore, and frankly, I've lost all respect for you."

Her cool gaze bore no trace of fear or his reflection.

So, she favored Bryce now?

Ludwik's features darkened.

Indeed, times had changed. A crisis had knocked him from his pedestal, no longer the untouchable scion of Harmonia Country.

Even if the world mocked him, and his company faced threats of takeover, he remained unaffected.

But her words struck him hard, a blow to his pride he couldn't easily shake off.

His self-esteem, his pride, once unbreakable, now seemed diminished, even in Whitney's eyes.

Ludwik's hand clenched, a bitter taste in his mouth. He had heard of her taking over the Sheldon Group, affirming her capability.

Yet, he never imagined a day when he'd be less in her eyes.

With a bitter smile, Ludwik confessed, "Whitney, I might have clung to you too tightly, but it wasn't a game. It was my stubbornness in not letting you go..."

"Enough! Talking about this now... isn't it pointless?"

Whitney couldn't just pretend their time on the island never happened.

She looked at him coldly, "I don't need your guidance on whether to get a divorce or not.

Make one thing clear, Ashton Fuller might have bailed you out, but your kidnapping stunt isn't over yet. The police want my statement, and tell them you kidnapped me, forced me, do you think you'd still be standing here? Even if you have connections, you'd still face years behind bars!

By the time you get out, the gap between you and me would be even wider, like heaven and earth.

Ludwik, get your act together before you speak to me again."

"You'd really send me to jail yourself?" The man's strong frame shook suddenly, his face twisted in pain.noveldrama

He hadn't expected her to be so ruthless. Was she just another one of those kicking him while he's down?

Whitney paused, ignoring the hurt in his eyes.

She clenched her fists, her voice leaving no room for doubt, "You had the audacity to do that to me, to imprison me, so why fear me exposing you

now?

I hate you, I report you, am I wrong?"