Love beyond the mask1-100

Novel Catalog

Chapter_63

The smirk on Ludwik’s face was infuriating, a smug expression that made Whitney’s blood boil. The way he stood there, self-assured, as if everything was in his control—it left her breathless with anger.

But then, a thought struck her. Was she really behaving like this? Was she acting like a drama queen, lashing out and throwing jabs at him with no filter? Wasn’t she just proving to him how much she cared, how jealous she was?

No, she told herself. She had to remain calm and detached. After all, she had insisted on maintaining distance between them. Why was she letting this affect her so much?

Whitney clenched her fists, fighting to suppress the storm of emotions that threatened to break free. She forced a smile, trying to mask the fury simmering inside. “Why would I be angry? It’s just a sham marriage, right? Mr. L, you could even take your lover to a motel right now, and I’d be the first to applaud your departure!” Her voice was too sharp, a little too biting, but she couldn’t stop herself.

His warmth evaporated instantly. His eyes narrowed, and his gaze turned cold, piercing her as he studied her defiant expression. “You mean that?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

“Absolutely,” Whitney responded lightly, letting out a small, dismissive chuckle.

“Then no regrets,” he said, his voice ice-cold as he turned away.

At that moment, Elaine appeared, graceful and composed, with a soft “Bro?”

Ludwik turned to her, a sudden shift in his demeanor. “Elaine, join me for a soak in the hot springs!” His tone was distant, colder than before, as he took her hand and led her away.

Elaine responded with a soft, almost shy voice, “Alright, I will go with you. No rush.”

Whitney, feeling suffocated, looked down at her plate, grabbing food and shoving it into her mouth as if to drown out the sound of their flirtatious banter.

Suddenly, a waiter came by, clearing away the grill and skewers from her table. Whitney’s face paled with frustration as she watched them walk away, exchanging coy smiles before disappearing into the distance.

She cursed silently, her thoughts dark, wishing them both a watery grave.

Elaine glanced back, pretending to care. “Is Whitney alright?” she asked, her tone dripping with feigned concern.

Ludwik glanced over, his expression cold. A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he looked at Whitney. “She’s just playing hard to get. Needs more stirring up.”

Elaine chuckled, clearly enjoying the game. “Then we better keep at it.”

Whitney’s phone buzzed, and she picked it up absently. “Hello?”

“Tiana here,” came the excited whisper, “Ludwik just walked into the office in his signature CEO suit. I haven’t seen his face yet, but he just went into the washroom…”

“Okay,” Whitney replied flatly, her mind miles away.

“I’m gonna get a look at his face. Wait… he’s coming out now!” Tiana’s voice was a little too eager. “Oh my god! I can’t believe it, he’s heading towards me—”

Whitney’s mind was already elsewhere, and she found herself walking toward the “Coed Soaking Pool” sign without even realizing it. Tiana’s call had become a blur in her mind as the images of Ludwik with Elaine took over.

Meanwhile, in the men’s room, Tiana had snuck in, posing as a janitor. As she surveyed the space, she caught sight of a tall figure with a side profile that seemed too familiar. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized it was Ludwik’s suit, but the man before her wasn’t him. It was someone who looked nearly identical, a sharp and commanding figure.

Tiana’s eyes widened in shock. A scream almost escaped her lips, but she quickly covered her mouth, panic taking over. “You… you…”

The man turned in surprise, and she stammered, “Turn around, Mr. Lippert!”

“Who are you?” he asked coldly, his voice deep and authoritative. “What are you doing in the men’s room?”

“What did you see?” he pressed, stepping closer, his eyes narrowing.

Blushing furiously, Tiana’s panic grew. “Stay back, Mr. Lippert!” she shouted, her voice high-pitched with fear.

Without another word, she bolted out of the restroom, her heart pounding in her chest.

The man, who had been mistaken for Ludwik, watched her flee with a raised eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He casually zipped up his pants, returning to his professional demeanor. He stood tall, his frame fitting perfectly in his tailored suit. He could easily be mistaken for Ludwik, who was only an inch taller.

Tiana didn’t slow down until she was far from the men’s room, needing three bottles of ice-cold water to calm her flushed face. She was still reeling from the encounter when she dialed Whitney back.

“Hey, Whitney,” Tiana said, her voice trembling slightly. “That was definitely Ludwik’s double. The voice was unmistakably his.”

Whitney, still deep in her thoughts, barely reacted. “You saw his face?”

Tiana’s cheeks flushed as she recalled the sight. “I didn’t see all of it, but it was him, I’m sure of it. The voice… it was Ludwik’s.” Her voice faltered, but she quickly added, “But it’s not what you think. They’re two different people.”

Whitney frowned, confused. “Are you sure?”

“Of course!” Tiana snapped back, but there was an awkward hesitation in her voice. “But… there’s no need to worry. They’re different people. I’ve verified it.”

Still unsure, Whitney found herself questioning everything. Was it possible that she had been wrong about Mr. L all along?

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the resort, Whitney sat in the lobby, absentmindedly tearing petals from a rose. The weight of the situation pressed down on her. She was still angry, still hurt, but she couldn’t ignore the nagging suspicion that something wasn’t quite right.

Suddenly, she heard Elaine’s laughter from the swimwear shop nearby. She turned to see her, draped in a towel, looking impossibly graceful. Her long legs, the delicate curve of her waist, the wet hair framing her face—it was all too much. Elaine was every bit the picture of elegance, and Whitney couldn’t shake the bitterness in her chest as she watched her approach.

With a smile, Elaine called out, “Hi, Whitney!”

Whitney forced a smile, but inside, her heart was sinking. Elaine’s voice had a sly undertone, and as she asked, “Could you book two rooms for us? One for yourself, and a suite with a king-sized bed for me and him?” the words hit her like a slap in the face.

The realization hit her hard. Were they really planning to spend the night together?

Elaine’s casual confidence only made Whitney feel smaller, more insignificant. She did as instructed, booking the rooms mechanically, handing the key card to Elaine without saying a word.

Elaine’s fingers trailed over a display of lingerie, picking up a crimson set and holding it up, asking with a mischievous smile, “What do you think he’d like? Tonight’s a big deal for me.”

Whitney’s response was icy, the bitterness too much to contain. “Well, he’d probably like it best if you wore nothing at all.”

Elaine didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm, still smiling. “You’re absolutely right,” she said with a flirtatious grin.

The words stung, but Whitney refused to let them show. Elaine continued, her voice deliberately loud and showy, “You’ve worked with him before, right? Ever washed his pants? Do you know his size? Could you grab me a box to deliver to our suite later?”

Whitney’s jaw clenched. The thought of Elaine’s seduction didn’t sit well with her. The challenge in her voice was clear.

With forced calm, Whitney shot back, “It seems you’re not as close to him as you think if you’re asking me about his personal things.”

Elaine faltered for just a moment, but quickly recovered, her smile still present. “After tonight, I’ll know everything about him. Now, just do your job, okay?”

Whitney went out, buying the cheapest boxes she could find, her heart heavy with frustration and disgust. When she returned to the dining room, Ludwik was seated with a few colleagues, deep in conversation. Without thinking, she threw the boxes onto the table in front of him, her voice loud enough to make heads turn. “Your sweetheart told me to buy these. Not sure what to get, so I went with the lowest quality. Should be just right for you, don’t you think?”

Ludwik’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and the room fell silent. Whitney’s sneer lingered in the air as she spun on her heel and stormed out, rushing up the stairs. Tears threatened to fall, but she held them back.

She had to be mad to let him get under her skin like this.

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