Love beyond the mask1-100

Novel Catalog

Chapter_88

Nolan’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor, and his cheeks flushed a rare shade of red at Whitney’s audacious comment.

“Bold words, Whitney,” he stammered, trying to mask his surprise with a nervous chuckle.

Ludwik’s gaze darkened as he studied the petite woman before him. Her cheeks burned with indignation, and her delicate hand, soft as a feather, pinched his jawline with surprising lightness. The gesture barely brushed him, but the sensation tickled his throat—an almost imperceptible shift that made his Adam’s apple bob in a subtle, sensual motion. It felt like a threat, a challenge. Just like the smoldering look in his eyes.

Whitney turned to him, only to catch him watching her. Repulsed by the intensity of his stare, she swiftly released his chin and shot him a glare, the fire in her eyes unmistakable.

Ludwik’s lips curved into a sly grin. His feisty little kitten was back.

“Big Bro! Look at her, shameless and insulting me!” Hannah whined, leaning closer to Ludwik, seeking his support. “Make her leave.”

Ludwik’s cold gaze swept over her, his patience thin. “Get out,” he commanded, the sharpness of his tone unmistakable.

Whitney froze, her heart sinking at his words.

“Did you hear that? He said get out, Whitney!” Hannah sneered with malicious satisfaction.

“I’m talking to you.” Ludwik’s face was stone-cold, his voice edged with impatience. He shoved Hannah aside with little effort.

“Nolan!” His voice was a growl, his brows furrowing in disapproval. “How did this woman get in?”

Nolan glanced at Hannah, clearly exasperated. “How was I supposed to know? I heard Whitney was here and came to fetch you.”

Whitney lifted her gaze to Elaine, who seemed to be conveniently excluding herself from the chaos. “Seems like Hannah arrived with Elaine,” Whitney commented casually, an innocent smile tugging at her lips.

Ludwik’s sharp eyes snapped to Elaine.

Caught off guard by Whitney’s sudden accusation, Elaine smiled innocently. “Oh, Whitney, that’s not fair. I just bumped into Hannah at the door, right, Hannah?”

Hannah, who had promised to keep Elaine out of it, nodded in agreement. “This vindictive woman is slandering others. I’ve been at the club for a while now.”

Whitney’s smile was sweet but edged with sarcasm. “Look at you guys getting so worked up. I just mentioned it. I didn’t say I was certain Hannah came with Elaine. Besides, it wouldn’t be a big deal if she did, right?”

Ludwik’s gaze lingered on Elaine, his brows knitting together as suspicion crept into his thoughts.

Elaine’s heart dropped as Whitney turned the tables so easily. She had worked hard to maintain an image of kindness and harmlessness in front of Ludwik.

“Enough, Hannah. Stop making a scene. Let’s focus on mending things between Bro and Whitney,” Elaine urged, helping Hannah to her feet and positioning herself as the voice of reason and gentleness.

Whitney’s lips curled slightly as she caught a warmth behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw L’s strong arm assertively reaching across the space between them, resting on her seat as though to embrace her.

She stiffened, immediately scooting away, but before she could fully distance herself, his hand shot out and caught her wrist.

In the dim light, his eyes gleamed with a warm intensity, his voice a low, intoxicating rumble. “Do you remember that I’m your husband?”

A shiver ran through Whitney as his words landed. In the shadows, he looked like a handsome demon, dangerously appealing.

She clenched her jaw, holding back a swell of emotion. “Not for long,” she bit out, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

Ludwik, unaffected by her words, clasped her small hand firmly in his, a quiet sigh escaping him. “Will you come home with me?”

Home…

Whitney felt her heart twist—both comforting and bitter. He still remembered they had a home, still spoke of building a real future together, despite the coldness of their days apart.

A tear threatened to escape, but she shook it off. Abruptly, she stood up, her movement swift, and dashed out of the club.

Ludwik’s brows furrowed as he watched her retreat, but then a sly smile curved his lips. With his long, confident strides, he caught up to her in no time, scooping her up effortlessly and heading toward the Bentley parked outside.

Felix, ever the eager assistant, swiftly opened the car door.

Under the brooding night sky, Elaine watched from the club window, her gaze sharp as she saw Whitney being tenderly helped into the car by Ludwik. A sharp pang twisted in her chest. This woman, this obstacle, now saw her as an enemy.

Good. That would make executing her next plan all the easier.

“I can’t stand it, Elaine,” Hannah seethed from beside her, eyes burning with jealousy.

Elaine glanced at her dismissively, knowing full well this fool didn’t stand a chance against Whitney, but she was still useful. A smile, cold but convincing, curved her lips. “Don’t give up, Hannah. I’ll help you create more opportunities.”

“Thank you, Elaine. I’ll make sure that wench Whitney pays!” Hannah hissed through gritted teeth.

Elaine’s lips curled with a calculating edge. Yes, once Whitney was out of the picture, Hannah would be no trouble at all.

The silence in the car stretched, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Whitney sat as far away from Ludwik as possible, but his brow furrowed deeper with each passing moment.

Felix, driving cautiously, received a message from Mr. Lippert: [Turn off the heat.]

Felix stealthily glanced at the oceanic gulf between Mr. Lippert and his wife, clearly admiring his boss’s ruthless tactics.

The heat was off.

As the November chill crept into the car, Whitney visibly shivered, her light sweater offering little protection.

Felix glanced nervously in the rear-view mirror and saw Ludwik’s brooding eyes, his expression unreadable. Another message popped up: [Talk!]

Felix winced. Wasn’t this something the husband could handle himself?

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Felix spoke up. “Ma’am, it seems the car’s heater is broken. You look quite cold. Perhaps you could sit closer to your husband? Or he could wrap his coat around you…”

Whitney wasn’t blind. The heater in a Bentley? Broken?

She shot a sideways glance at the composed man beside her. This mature rascal was full of tricks.

She huffed in annoyance.

Ludwik arched an eyebrow, his gaze locking with hers. He slipped off his jacket and extended it toward her. “Since Felix mentioned it, why don’t you sit on my lap?”

“No thanks!” Whitney rejected him coldly, tossing the jacket back at him with disdain.

The rebuffed man merely smirked, unbothered.

Felix tightened his grip on the steering wheel, trying not to snicker.

Ludwik turned his attention back to Whitney, his eyes full of quiet amusement as he observed her profile, still radiating coldness. She was still angry, despite agreeing to come home with him.

It felt like a kitten’s paw was scratching at his heart. Her stubbornness was maddening.

With a narrowed gaze, he reached out to hook her delicate hand.

Whitney dodged quickly, sending him a glare of irritation.

Ludwik’s fingers, burning hot, reached out again. This time, she was trapped against the side of the car.

With a swift motion, he caught her tender, defenseless hand.

Annoyed, Whitney turned and slapped his hand away. “Are you always this annoying?” she snapped, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears—looking both petulant and utterly wronged.

Ludwik blinked in surprise.

Just then, Whitney’s phone rang, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly answered it, relieved for the distraction.

It was Tiana on the other end. “I was worried about you. I went to the Royal One Club to find you. Where are you?”

Whitney pursed her lips. “I’m already home.”

“Home… with L?” Tiana’s voice was heavy with implication, her gasp clear even through the phone.

Whitney said nothing, the weight of her silence hanging between them.

On the other end, Tiana blinked before abruptly hanging up, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Handsome men, she thought. So alluring. Wasn’t it just the other day they’d talked about breaking up—divorce?

Meanwhile, she spun around in the club, only to collide with a solid wall of muscle.

Looking up, Tiana’s breath hitched. Parker stood before her, his sharp features as chiseled as ever, eyes behind glasses, exuding an almost ethereal charm.

A blush crept up her neck as the memory of the night before flashed in her mind—a night full of uncertainty, but one that had ended with him coming to her rescue.

She cleared her throat and mustered what little composure she had left. “Parker, ahem, you saved me that night, didn’t you

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