Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Whitney frowned as she clambered out of bed, her mood sour.

"Mama..." Danny's little head popped out from under the covers, his eyes rubbing sleepily, yet alert with a hint of fear. "Who's at the door?"

The thought of danger had his heart racing. Could it be that Ludwik had found them, come to take him away?

"Don't worry, sweetie," Whitney soothed, instinctively wrapping him tighter in his blanket before stepping out and gently closing the bedroom door behind her.

She approached the front door of her apartment, reassured by the presence of security cameras in the hallway. It wasn't fear that guided her hand to the doorknob, but curiosity. She cracked the door open and peered out, "Who's there at this ungodly hour... Ah!"

Her question was cut short by a sudden yank that pulled her from the safety of her home.

The man who grabbed her was large and powerful, fueled by anger as he pinned her against the wall.

Whitney looked up into the face of the man before her, a flash of guilt passing through her eyes-Danny was just inside! She feigned composure, snapping irritably, "Mr. Lippert, can't you take a hint and leave me be?"

Her voice was husky with sleep, velvety eyes still clouded with dreams, adding to her inadvertent allure.

Ludwik's gaze dropped lower, his expression darkening as the scent of her perfume wafted from her delicate, pale collarbones.

The quiet of the night seemed to amplify the temptation, distracting him.

After a moment of frustrated distraction, he looked like he wanted to throttle her, his voice low and threatening, "What kind of sorcery have you used on me, you scheming woman?"This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

Whitney took a moment to understand his accusation.

Her half-lidded eyes and fluttering lashes gave her a look of lazy seduction.

Ludwik's adam's apple bobbed, his anger intensifying at her proximity, "Out with it! What tricks have you pulled? Why is it that I can't feel anything for Elaine or any other woman, but you?"

Finally catching on, Whitney realized he was frustrated after finding no spark with Elaine. And he thought Whitney had something to do with it? She snorted softly, her lips curving into a faint smirk as she looked up at his handsome, vexed face, "Oh, Mr. Lippert, has your charm worn off, and now you come to me for relief?"

He was speechless with rage, his handsome face turning a shade darker, almost wishing he could wring her neck.

His ears reddened slightly as he threatened with narrowed eyes, "Like that little show in the bathroom earlier? What witchcraft was that? I want to see it for myself this time!"

Whitney stiffened, the heat of his body making it hard to breathe, but she was not the one at fault.

He was still holding onto some misguided desire after three years?

It seemed he didn't quite understand and was quite annoyed about it.

She smiled coolly, withdrawing her hands, "Frankly, Mr. Lippert, your passion disgusts me. Do I really need to resort to tricks? A man who can't control his own desires blames a woman. Are you even a man?"

Ludwik nearly fainted with fury.

He gripped her waist, his eyes dark and stormy, "Don't play coy. Would I be like this if you hadn't flaunted yourself at me?"

Jealousy was searing his insides.

Over the past three years, how many men had she been with?

She was so nonchalant, so effortlessly seductive.

"Do you want to know? And what business is it of yours?" Whitney's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, "You better go home, Mr. Lippert. Keep bothering me, and it might just break poor Elaine's heart."

"The nerve to mention her! If you hadn't gone out of your way to seduce me, she wouldn't be heartbroken," Ludwik spat back, his anger boiling over, "What have you done to me? Why can't I resist you? Explain yourself, or you won't have a moment's peace tonight!"

Whitney rolled her eyes, her voice icy, "Maybe I'm just that charming. Perhaps, Mr. Lippert, after three years, you're still hung up on me?" "Delusional!" He would never.

Ludwik's gaze hardened as he stared at her face, "You heartlessly caused our child's death. I will never forgive you for that. I want to see you pay." Whitney froze.

The child he spoke of, Danny, was asleep inside.

This man didn't deserve to know that Danny was still alive.

Anxiety flashed in her eyes, but Whitney lifted her head, her smile cold, "The feeling is mutual. I'll never forgive the man who drove me to jump into the sea."

"I never forced you to jump," Ludwik was incredulous.

Of course, he hadn't forced her-not overtly. But he had ignored her final plea for help.

Holding back her resentment, Whitney tried to dismiss him, "I have no interest in midnight chats, Mr. Lippert. I'm cold. And since you find me so repulsive yet can't control yourself around me, here's some medical advice for you."

Her eyes twinkled with mischief. Ludwik paused, asking, "What advice?"

"Consider castration; that'll solve your problem."

He took a deep breath to contain his rage.

Seizing the moment, Whitney turned to close the door.

"You dare say that-get out of my way!" he snarled, shoving a leg through the doorway.

Without a second thought, Whitney aimed her knee right at his midsection.

He groaned, a twisted grimace on his face as he braced against the door, "You viper! Trying to leave me childless?"

Whitney's lips curled into a mocking smile, "You're as good as useless to me anyway, Mr. Lippert. But rest assured, I won't make it easy for you." "Not for any man, and certainly not for a scoundrel like you."

Ludwik was in too much pain to reply, seething at the thought of grabbing her, of showing her who was in charge. But the pain rendered him powerless, for the moment.

"Whitney, you just wait!" The man's voice was laced with fury, teeth clenched tight as he saw her hastily close the door. The words she had flung at him flashed through his mind, igniting a jealous rage that drove him to kick the door. "What, you hiding some lover in there? Who is it, Bryce?"

Whitney leaned against the door, her face slightly pale, struggling to catch her breath, but she couldn't let on about Danny.

She kicked back at the door and retorted, "Yeah, I'm such a tramp, right? Keep it up, and I'm calling the cops."

"Go ahead, call them! It'll be perfect for them to catch you in the act, you adulteress!" the man taunted, thinking he had the upper hand. Whitney was speechless at the childishness and suddenly twisted her mouth in a wry smile. "Why don't you go to the hospital to get your family jewels checked? I didn't hold back with that kick."

Ludwik, although in pain, didn't want to admit defeat, especially not in the area that was now throbbing intensely!

He glared at the door one last time, then turned away, clouded with gloom, and stepped into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, he redialed Felix.

Felix, with bloodshot eyes, nearly collapsed to his knees at the sight. "Mr. Lippert..."

"Revoke Whitney's medical license immediately. Make sure she can't find work in Banyan City!"

"Also, get in touch with the auction house, let Elaine take over Skye Gem Ltd. starting tomorrow."

Ludwik's anger needed a target, and Whitney had dared to provoke him. His rage needed an outlet after the night's frustrations.

He hissed in pain as he settled into his car, fumbling in his pocket for a long while before regaining some composure.

"Get me a urologist," Ludwik gritted out through clenched teeth.

"

," Felix was speechless. Wasn't he supposed to be meeting with Ms. Valentine? What had happened to Mr. Lippert now?

Whitney took a deep breath to calm herself, waiting until the elevator doors had closed before she ventured back into her bedroom. She lifted the covers but found no sign of Danny.

Startled, she spun around, her heart skipping a beat. "Danny?!"