Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"Ludwik, there's something off about Florence's heritage. She's not Hudson's daughter. Whitney suspects she's actually the result of an affair between Hugh and Holly. Now, Hugh is planning to harm Hudson, who's lying unconscious in the hospital! Whitney had to intervene to keep Hugh at bay, and a DNA test could expose their dirty secret..."

Tiana locked eyes with Ludwik. He remained impassive, his gaze cold and indifferent.

Catching her breath, Tiana remembered how she had stormed upstairs and insulted him. Now she felt awkward. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lippert. I shouldn't have lashed out at you. You did come to save Whitney... I hope you can overlook my earlier rudeness."

Tiana felt embarrassed, realizing that true feelings show in times of trouble, and Ludwik had indeed shown his loyalty to Whitney. She was also somewhat intimidated by him, especially after seeing how effortlessly he had 'escorted' Hugh out, which made it clear he was not someone to be trifled with.

Without a word, Ludwik took a drag from his cigarette, hands in his pockets, and casually glanced at the door of suite 088 before turning to walk in the opposite direction.

Tiana heard him ask Felix, "Where's Hugh?"

"He's been escorted to our office, and I've let go of the shareholders from the Sheldon Group. Hugh is wary of crossing you, so he hasn't dared to make a move yet."

Tiana watched Ludwik's lazy stride into the office. She immediately turned and pushed open the door to 088. "Whitney?!"

The suite was spacious, and from near the restroom, Whitney's voice emerged. "I'm here." She sounded weak, her voice hoarse.

Tiana ran to her, covering her mouth in shock, crouching to check on Whitney's breathing. "Whitney? You look so pale! What did Hugh do to you?" "He tried to stage my drowning as an alcohol poisoning accident!"

Tiana listened to her shaky breath, alarmed. "Tiana, help me up. I've thrown up quite a bit, but not all the alcohol's out. I need to get to the hospital for an IV, or the alcohol poisoning could get worse."

Whitney, clutching her damp clothes, began to shiver. Tiana immediately helped her up, glancing at the overturned bodyguard in the restroom, blood trailing to the door. Startled, she couldn't help asking, "Did Ludwik do this? He was here... stayed for about ten minutes. What did he do to you in that time? You didn't fight, did you?"

Tiana had been too scared to come in earlier; Ludwik's presence was too intimidating. Whitney looked down, silent, not telling Tiana the whole truth. "He just helped me vomit the alcohol, that's all."

She had only just realized the true intention behind that forceful kiss. Despite her condition, he kissed her with such intensity, venting his hatred, trying to suffocate her with his breath. It wasn't fake. He was truly seeking revenge, to humiliate her. Had she not run to vomit just in time, Whitney dared not think what might have happened next given his rage. He was furious with her for 'terminating' their child! Whitney wondered how long she would have to bear this blame; she had never been pregnant...

"Whitney!" Finally, Bryce arrived late, his gaze filled with concern. Whitney gathered her strength to stand, meeting his eyes. Seeing her staggering, Bryce rushed over to take her from Tiana, carrying her without a word.

He asked Tiana, "Is she okay? She's not hurt, right?"

Tiana was instantly irked by his

actions. For the first time, Tiana saw Bryce in a different light, her eyes narrowing at him. Was he here to take advantage of the situationè Ludwik had handled? He seemed so concerned for Whitney, yet when Tiana had called him earlier, Bryce had been unhelpfully silent. Tiana, never one to mince words, coldly remarked, "Can't you see Whitney's condition for yourself? It was a close call, but thankfully someone

intervened to avert the crisis!"

Bryce's face froze at her insinuation. Who else but Ludwik could have the capability to snatch someone from Hugh's grasp without fear of repercussions? His expression grew tense, a stiffness crossing his features, "Whitney, you've suffered. I'm sorry, I rushed over as soon as I heard. You look terrible, and your breathing is weak. Let's get you to a hospital!"

Whitney, too weak to speak, nodded slightly. Tiana pursed her lips, no time for disputes. "Fine, I was about to take her to the hospital anyway. You can lend a hand."novelbin

She pushed open the suite door, leading the way. Bryce, catching a glimpse of Whitney's bruised lips, felt a surge of anger. It was clear to any adult how those bruises came to be - from Ludwik's kiss! What else had happened in this suite between them? Noticing his hesitation and where his gaze lingered, Whitney subtly covered her mouth, furrowing her brows.

"Whitney... your lips..." Bryce was seething inside, suspecting whether she had been intimate with Ludwik. "I was force-fed two bottles of vodka. If I hadn't expelled it, I could've gone into shock." Whitney knew he cared, and though tired of explaining, she vaguely confessed to him. But to Bryce, her explanation seemed evasive, not clarifying what exactly happened between her and Ludwik.

"Mr. Lutz, what are you waiting for? Could Whitney not have bitten her own lip? What's more important, her life or her so-called reputation? You know her past, after all. You used to be so understanding, surely you're not jealous now..."

Tiana couldn't help but rush him, increasingly feeling Bryce's concern for these trivial matters was unbecoming. Bryce clamped his mouth shut, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around Whitney without another word. He shot Tiana a frosty glance before striding out of the bustling pub.

Inside the crowded place, Whitney's gaze inadvertently locked with a piercingly cold stare from upstairs. Ludwik's tall figure loomed on the second floor, his long legs lined up with the railing. The dim lighting shrouded his chiseled features in mystery. But those eyes fixed on her sent shivers down her spine!

He watched coldly as Bryce carried her away, his descent momentarily paused. In the smoky air, something flickered between his fingers. In the moment Whitney's eyes dropped, feeling a bang of panic, all she

caught was his cruel smirk. H

heart seized. He had saved her, yet here she was, being carried off by Bryce. Knowing Ludwik's usual temper, he would have charged down and brawled with Bryce in a life-or-death fight. But he didn't. He just stood there, staring at her with that detached, mocking expression.

What was he holding in his hand? Whitney felt like he was about to give her something. But Bryce's sudden appearance abruptly interrupted everything. Her heart was in turmoil, struggling to find peace...