Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

 novelbin

But Whitney couldn't agree with that last part, "You're looking through tinted glasses! I've known him for ages, better than anyone. I know whether he's a good guy or not.\nHe was there for me when I was down, unlike some people."\nLudwik, with a stoic expression and a furrow between his brows, couldn't muster a retort.\nTheir negotiation had spiraled into an argument.\nLudwik's intent was purely out of concern for her. Bryce's property had a shady history, and she desperately needed a solid base in Emperor City to flourish her Skye Gem Ltd.\nBut she wouldn't see reason.\nHe had no choice but to play the bad guy, "Bryce's property won't see the light of day, not on my watch. \nYou really want to drag Skye Gem Ltd. into that mess and face endless complications every day?"\n"Ludwik, your despicableness knows no bounds."\nWhitney, infuriated, felt a surge of headache and a sharper pang in her stomach, forcing her to sit down by the couch.\n"What's wrong?" Ludwik's concern was immediate as he glanced at her flat stomach.\nShe clutched her belly.\nThe man frowned, turned around, and briskly went to the kitchen. He returned with a glass of warm water, offering it to her.\nWhitney, not one to play coy, took it. As she drank, his warm palm unexpectedly found her waist, gently pressing just below her stomach.\nShe tried to shrug him off in anger.\nBut lacked the strength. His gaze, deep and tender in the backlight, caught hers. Why was he looking at her like this?\nAs if he was genuinely worried, treasuring her... It was out of character, cautious.\nWhitney couldn't pinpoint the oddity but stopped herself from overthinking. His eyes had deceived her before!\nHe had looked at Florence and Elaine the same way!\nIn a moment, her heart stilled, and she coldly uttered, "Let go of me."\n"Don't worry, if I had any ulterior motives, I wouldn't succeed, not with this wound," he said, patiently pointing to his chest.\nWhitney, face turning pale, averted her eyes.\nLudwik firmly stated, "Your stomach needs warmth, or it'll cramp worse."\nHis hand pressed firmly, the heat spreading across her skin. Despite their past intimacy, Whitney found his so-called concern both ridiculous and unsettling.\nWas this his idea of caring?\nToo weary to argue, she zipped her lips and texted Tiana.\nLudwik, facing her silent treatment, sighed inwardly and checked his phone. Felix had sent a message.\nHis eyes darkened, "Have the Business Bureau dig into Bryce's property, invite him for a 'tea' at the station!"\n-\nAt the supermarket below the hotel.\n Tiana awkwardly pulled away from Parker's grasp.\n"I'm sorry." Parker, having not noticed his grip all the way in, had been holding onto her hand a bit too tightly.\nHer delicate wrist was marked red.\nFeeling a bit uneasy himself, his usually playful eyes were tinged with discomfort, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"\n"So, you think I wanted to hold hands?" Tiana grimaced as if she'd swallowed a bug.\nParker, annoyed and cold, retorted, "Isn't that the case?\nSo many women wish to hold my hand and can't!"\n"That list doesn't include me, Mr. Doonan. A bit of self-awareness wouldn't hurt. Especially considering your taste in women like Endora for a fiancée.\nIt makes me question your judgment." Tiana couldn't hide her disdain for Parker's choice.\n"Why bring her up?" Parker's face tensed slightly.\nlf Tiana hadn't mentioned Endora, he'd nearly forgotten about his supposed fiancée.\n"Endora is my cousin, didn't you know?"\n"What does that have to do with me?" His engagement to Endora was nothing more than a convenience three years ago when she had saved his life.\nTiana was fuming, "Endora's family took everything from mine, Mr. Doonan. You're aware of that, right?"\n"So, what does that have to do with me?" Parker's voice was cold, deliberately provocative.\n Tiana's cheeks flushed with anger, her chest heaving. She forced a smile, "Of course, it doesn't. Mr. Doonan's choice in a partner is solely up to him!"\nAn inexplicable sense of loss filled her. Why did she even harbor any illusion that she was different to Parker?\nTheir past was marred by grievances, leaving no room for affection.\nBesides, he was now Cherry's uncle.\nAn awkward relationship.\nTiana lowered her head, sidestepping Parker, and walked into the market.\nParker narrowed his eyes, regretting that he hadn't meant to upset her.\nLudwik was right; he had come to Emperor City with Ludwik mainly to see Tiana.\nShe had moved to Emperor City with her daughter, seeking refuge with Whitney. Was she settling in well? Did she need any extra help?\nParker found himself worrying about these things.\nHe hadn't yet figured out why Tiana constantly occupied his thoughts.\nPerhaps, it was Cherry's face, strikingly similar to his.\nCatching up to her, he probed, "Did my brother give you trouble back in Banyan City?"\nTiana stiffened, her chin retracting slightly, "At first, he did... But didn't you send a bodyguard to secretly protect Cherry? Barclay knew about my daughter, about that night three years ago at the club, but he never got the chance to meet Cherry."\nParker nodded.\nHe couldn't explain why, but he instinctively prevented Cherry from acknowledging Barclay as her father.\nMaybe he knew, given Barclay's reputation, Cherry's acknowledgment would lead to Barclay forcefully marrying Tiana.\nHe couldn't bear the thought of her marrying his notorious brother.\n"Stay in Emperor City with your daughter for now. Whitney will likely reconcile with Ludwik and settle here.\nIf you need a job or anything, just let me know.\nl have enough connections."\nTiana was surprised by his sudden generosity, slightly uncomfortable as she licked her lips, "Thanks.\nI'm at my wits' end trying to find a job. If I need help, I'll come to you. Otherwise, dealing with Endora's trouble isn't worth it."\nHearing her trying to distance herself, Parker's expression turned visibly darker.\n"But—" Tiana's tone suddenly shifted, "What did you say earlier? That Whitney will definitely reconcile with Ludwik? Where's this confidence coming from? How can you be so sure?"\nParker let out a chuckle, "Whitney's carrying Ludwik's second child. With Ludwik's resources, do you think she can escape? She's been dodging and weaving, but I bet she can't slip through Ludwik's fingers. It's all about handling Florence now..."\n"What's with that mischievous smile?" Tiana eyed Parker warily, studying his devilishly handsome face, "You must be hiding something! Is it about Ludwik, or is it about Whitney? Otherwise, why would you say they could make up?"\nParker's laughter filled the room, a sound that hinted at secrets only he was privy to. In this tangled web of love, loyalty, and power, every move was calculated, but Parker seemed to hold the winning card.