Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Tiana had been pacing back and forth for what seemed like an eternity, at least seven or eight minutes, waiting for Felix's return. When he didn't come back, a sinking feeling told her that either her message hadn't been delivered or Ludwik had refused to help.

The mere thought of Ludwik's refusal sent Tiana storming into the room without a second thought.

The scene before her was like something out of a high-stakes business movie. Around a grand dining table sat about thirty elite executives, with Ludwik at the head, embodying an air of untouchable authority. His legs were crossed, casually playing with a knife and fork, his posture relaxed yet commanding. Only his profile, sharp and stern, betrayed an aura of cold, unapproachable detachment.

Feeling his gaze pierce through her, Tiana was momentarily paralyzed.

She looked desperately towards Felix.

Felix shook his head subtly at Tiana.

So Ludwik had indeed refused. He wouldn't save Whitney?

A lump formed in Tiana's throat, heavy as a boulder, suffocating her with its weight.

Deep down, Tiana wasn't surprised. After all, Whitney's relationship with Ludwik had been anything but smooth lately.

Swallowing hard, Tiana mustered her courage, "Mr. Lippert, you can't just stand by and watch Whitney suffer. She's been under Hugh's thumb for almost an hour now, with no sign of escape. She tried to expose Hugh's dirty secrets, and now he's sure to silence her for good!"novelbin

Ludwik's icy gaze flickered, unreadable and indifferent.

His silence only drew more attention to Tiana's desperate plea.

"Ms. Melford!" Felix, sensing Mr. Lippert's ambiguous stance, quickly intervened, "Mr. Lippert is in the middle of a crucial business negotiation. This is neither the time nor the place. I'll address your concerns, but please, can you wait outside?"

Tiana, incredulous at Felix's response, stared wide-eyed, struggling to comprehend Ludwik's impassive facade.

What did he mean by this?

Anger started to bubble within her, "Is a business deal more important to you than Whitney's life? Ludwik, I don't have the luxury of patience. If you're trying to punish or mock me and Whitney, you're gravely mistaken. She doesn't have the luxury of time either!"

"Her life is of no concern to me," Ludwik replied with a chilling calmness, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "Why isn't Bryce stepping in to save her? Or is it that Bryce can't save her, and now you turn to me? Do you really think she means more to me than this deal? You're either overestimating her importance or underestimating my pride."

His words hit Tiana like a blast of cold air, pushing her into a metaphorical icy wasteland.

Indeed, she had approached Bryce first, to no avail.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Tiana pleaded, "This isn't the time for your pride, Mr. Lippert. I apologize if I was rude to you downstairs, but can you truly stand by and watch Whitney die? She might have had her differences with you, but she's the mother of your children, Danny and Sammy. Can't you think of them? Whitney won't rest in peace if you let her die at Hugh's hands."

Something in her words seemed to strike a chord with Ludwik. His stern expression faltered momentarily, a shadow of concern flickering across his face.

Tiana, unsure if her mention of their children swayed him, couldn't believe Ludwik had completely stopped caring for Whitney.

Despite their misunderstandings and the public scandal that followed, could he really let her die?

Ludwik finally looked away, resuming his meal with a cold dismissal, "Felix, escort her out. If she disrupts my meeting again, show her the consequences."

"Ludwik, you heartless jerk! If you let her die, you'll regret it!" Tiana yelled as she was dragged away.

She felt like a fool, her and Whitney both, for believing Ludwik could be swayed. No matter how much she accused him, he remained untouchable, his authority unchallenged.

The dinner continued with minimal

e

disruption, concluding with the opposing company's CEO handing over an unchanged contract. Ludwik signed it swiftly, his signature forceful, betraying a hint of inner turmoil.

Felix, catching on to his boss's distraction and urgency, wasn't surprised when Ludwik left abruptly after signing.

Upon receiving a call from Parker,

et

Felix conveyed the situation, "Mr. Doonan, Mr. Lippert has already taken action. He wrapped up the deal as quickly as possible. It was also a tesson for Ms. Valentine reminding her not to overstep her bounds. Even someone like Mr. Lippert is beyond her reach. I have to go; Mr. Lippert needs me to gather some men."

The dynamics in room 088 had shifted, but Ludwik's next moves were already in motion, driven by a complex mix of duty, pride, and perhaps, an unacknowledged concern for Whitney.

Whitney's throat was practically numb from the harsh liquor, the sting of alcohol overwhelming her senses, making coherent thought nearly impossible.

She was clumsily dragged to the bathroom, her body bound, cold sweat pouring down as she watched the toilet bowl fill to the brim. Her

hair was gripped by rough hand ret

pulling her head down towards the water-filled bowl, her face inches away from the water, unable to scream for help, only able to retch, over and over.

Despair crushed the last remnants of her sanity in that moment.

"Please, no..."

She couldn't die here, not like this.

She had her dad to look out for, Sammy to wait for, and the vile trio of Hugh, Florence, and Holly to expose.

She didn't want to die! She couldn't accept it.

Her body twitched in spasms, determined, unyielding...

Then, suddenly, the rough hands let go, and a dull thud echoed as a body hit the floor beside her.

"Ah-" Her voice was hoarse, a shriek of terror escaping her lips as she saw Hugh's bodyguard collapsed on the ground, blood oozing from his head! The bathroom door swung open. Who was it?

Her eyes, blurred by cold water, couldn't make out the figure, but her nose picked up a scent from her dreams, a familiar, compelling male presence, deeply etched in her memory.

A name formed in her throat, her heart almost instantly knowing who it could be.

But, it couldn't really be him, could it?

Whitney slowly lifted her head, her eyes bloodshot with speculation, hesitantly uttering another name, "Bryce... did Tiana tell you? You finally made

it..."

Ludwik stood in the doorway, his tall frame casting a shadow, his features expressionless.