Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"No way!" Parker denied firmly, not daring to spill the beans that Whitney was expecting.

Ludwik was overprotective and anxious as it was, and in situations like these, the fewer people who knew, the better.

"Just make sure you look after Whitney, alright? She's been through a lot lately, got a bit under the weather. Don't let her pop pills willy-nilly."

"Why not? Whitney knows her stuff about natural remedies. Why wouldn't she know what's safe to take?"

"There's a saying, 'All medicines have their side effects.' Maybe brew her some chicken soup, give her a bit of a boost," Parker said, less than convincingly.

Tiana sensed something was off in his words but couldn't pinpoint exactly what.

Just then, both of their phones chimed.

Tiana's displayed a Facebook message from Whitney, asking if she'd picked up the groceries yet.

Parker, on the other hand, got a call from Felix.

He turned away to answer, Felix cautiously inquired, "I've sent some details about Bryce's movements in Emperor City to Mr. Lippert. Mr. Lippert was livid, told me to get the city officials to detain Bryce. I'm wondering, did Mr. Lippert fail to secure the lot for Ms. Valentine? Did they have a fallout?" Damn.

Most likely.

Ludwik's earlier visit to Whitney was to deter her from moving her company to Bryce's territory.

Whitney obviously didn't agree.

"They had a row, we need to get back," Parker hung up and told Tiana.

"I knew it! With Ludwik's bully attitude, a fight was bound to happen! I don't get it. He's engaged, yet still hassles Whitney. What's his deal? He ignores his own son and mixes with suspects, I just feel so bad for Whitney!"

Tiana had no qualms bad-mouthing Ludwik behind his back.

Parker grimaced inwardly but what could he say? Ludwik was stuck with this mess until everything was sorted out.

Nobody knew, he was also taking risks, with Whitney's best interest at heart.

Parker and Tiana hurried back to the hotel suite.

The atmosphere was chilly.

Whitney had gone next door to check on her son and Cherry.

Ludwik extinguished his cigarette, his long fingers swiftly taking the shopping bag from Parker without a word, and headed to the kitchen. Parker knew Ludwik was concerned about the little bun in Whitney's oven, fearing her stomach issues might lead to malnutrition.

An hour later, a comforting aroma of chicken congee and several light dishes filled the air.

Parker went next door, "Danny, your dad whipped up a delicious meal, come have some!"

"I smelled it!" Danny grinned.

"I wanna eat too! Can I?" Cherry bounced to the doorway, catching sight of Ludwik gracefully serving congee, his handsome features captivating Cherry.

"This handsome man looks so good, and he can cook! Mommy, can you marry him?"

Tiana choked on her drink, covering her daughter's mouth in embarrassment, "Kids say the darndest things, Mr. Lippert."

Parker's face soured, "Cherry, that's Danny's dad, and he's got a wife, Whitney. How could your mom marry him?"

Ludwik shot him a glance, his lips curving slightly.

He turned to Whitney, who was aloof, "Danny, get your mom to sit down for dinner."

“I'm not hungry,” was Whitney's curt reply to Danny,

Yet her eyes couldn't help but drift to the chicken congee, prepared with stomach-soothing ingredients. Her stomach had just been acting up, and she couldn't help but wonder, for whom had he made this congee.

Her heart remained calm as she walked to her room.

Ludwik frowned, her neglect for her own health troubled him; how could their child thrive in her womb under such conditions?

He approached her, "Arguing with me is no reason to starve yourself, eat something now or you'll regret it later."

"Ludwik." Whitney had reached her limit, "What right do you have to do this? What are you trying to achieve? Keeping one foot in two boats, pestering me relentlessly?"

He was at a loss for words, opting for silence, “It's just a bowl of congee. Why overthink it? Must we become enemies after divorce? Look at Danny's face."

Whitney, realizing too late, turned to see Danny looking at them, his mood somber.

She bit her lip, feeling obliged to maintain a semblance of peace for her son, "Danny, let's eat."

Ludwik grabbed his coat, seeing her reluctance, he negotiated, "I'll leave right after. I'm still in pain from my injury, if you don't mind, could you spare some herbal ointment? As payment for the meal."

Whitney's dark lashes fluttered, his wound hidden under his shirt, out of sight.

But that didn't mean he was healed.

He was hurt protecting her, and just now had been bustling about in the kitchen... she didn't want to feel indebted to him.

This way, she felt a bit more balanced.

She got up, fetched some homemade healing ointment, and handed it to Parker.

Parker glanced at Ludwik with a look that said: How bad did you two fight for her to detest you this much? Ludwik: "..."

After the man left, the room quieted down for a moment, but the kids soon filled it with laughter and chatter again. Tiana took a spoonful of congee, frowning, "Ludwik, that jerk, might be a scoundrel, but damn, can he cook!"

Whitney just looked at her, speechless.

"My bad. Tastes terrible!" Tiana corrected herself.

Danny, unpleased, gave her a stern look, “Tiana, I'm his son, you might wanna take that back.”

“..." With such a fierce look from such a young kid, Tiana coughed, "It's average, I guess."novelbin

Whitney couldn't be bothered with them.

Tiana leaned in, "Did you and Ludwik have a big fight?"

"He manipulated me, forced me not to move the company to Bryce's place."

et

"Can you believe it? He's already engaged and still trying to control you, the jerk!" Tiana blurted out angrily but then paused, pondering. "You mentioned before that the golf course land was perfect for a jewelry factory. Maybe Ludwik is actually trying to help you out?"

Whitney's expression turned icy. "Bryce's real estate deal might still be shaky. I'm really worried Ludwik might target him because of me. Bryce has already been through enough trouble because of my issues, and I feel terrible about it."

"So, have you decided to go ahead with the golf course site after all? Isn't Bryce going to be heartbroken?"

Whitney managed a small smile. "I can't keep putting him in harm's way. Besides, I can still work with the Lutz Group in the future."

"Alright then, the priority is to smoothly transition Skye Gem Ltd. over here. Once you've got some capital, you can take on the Sheldon Group, deal with your uncle and stepmom.

Did you catch the news today? Florence made a grand entrance at the Sheldon Group headquarters, taking a 12% share and a flashy position as a

junior director.

I just don't get it. How can your uncle be so blindly generous to her? It's like he's got no self-interest at all."

Whitney narrowed her eyes. "Tiana,

can't you see? My father's shooting

was all part of a long-con. People like Hugh and Holly have been lying in wait for years. It seems like Hugh is the one benefiting right now, controlling the Sheldon Group. But actually, the heir apparent is Florence. Doesn't it all seem like Holly and Hugh are setting things up for Florence?"

Tiana's heart skipped a beat as she connected the dots. "Are you saying... Florence could be Hugh and Holly's...?"