Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 87

Elaine murmured under her breath, Hannah, how can you be so rude to Whitney? Whitney, get up.

You’ll catch a cold

She sauntered over, her steps unhurried as she helped Whitney to her feet.

Hannah’s temper flared, “Elaine, why do you even bother with her? She’s beneath us.

You think you’re something special, Whitney? Everyone knows you only got with Big Bro because you

had a scheme up your sleeve. In a year, you’ll be out on your ear. For someone as manipulative as

you, I’m just giving you what you deserve on behalf of him.”

As she spoke, Hannah lifted her glass again, ready to unleash another wave of her fury.

“Hannah! Your brother asked me to look after Whitney. What on earth are you doing?” Elaine’s voice

was tinged with exasperation.

Mentioning Nolan only stoked Hannah’s jealousy as she eyed Whitney’s stunning features.

Whitney merely glanced at Elaine, her eyes conveying a story of their own.

But as Hannah’s drink came flying, Whitney was done playing nice. In a flash, she twisted Hannah’s

wrist, redirecting the assault, and doused her with the contents of the glass.

“Aah!” Hannah was caught off guard, her head soaked and chilled, the glass rattling against her scalp.

Screams echoed in the private room, but they were soon interrupted by footsteps and a commotion at

the door. “What’s going on?” Nolan burst in first, taken aback by the scene before him.

Whitney turned at the sound and saw L, a towering figure in a crisp black shirt and slacks, his presence

dominating the room.

He wore a silver mask, its intricate design throwing shadows across his face in the dim light, only his

piercing gaze visible, ensnaring Whitney instantly. She felt her heart flutter, her face paling at the sight

of him after

days apart.

Ludwik’s gaze lingered on her, locking onto hers with a palpable intensity.

Elaine noticed the exchange, the longing and heat in the man’s eyes, and pressed her lips.

Hannah, spotting Ludwik, lit up and ran to the imposing figure, pointing an accusing finger at Whitney,

“Big Bro! This woman dared to throw her drink at me! She actually thinks she’s your wife, treating me

like dirt. You have to stand up for me!”

Her sobbing was an act of pure melodrama.

Ludwik’s eyes moved to Whitney, his expression unreadable.

Whitney faced him squarely, her demeanor cold. If he dared to defend Elaine like he did that night, she

would not hesitate to file for divorce.

“Why is there alcohol in this room?” Ludwik’s voice was icy as he addressed the manager.

The manager shivered. “Hannah insisted on drinking.”

Ludwik’s gaze turned icy, making Hannah tremble with fear.

“I don’t care if she threw her drink at you, but if you had thrown that drink on her, my child might have

been exposed to alcohol, Hannah.”

His final words left Hannah shaking, disbelief etched on her face.

Whitney was equally surprised by his defense. Was this jerk actually taking her side without question?

23:36

Ludwik paid her no mind and strode into the room, sitting on the central sofa with an air of authority.

Nolan glanced at Hannah with distaste, “Who even invited you here? I’m warning you, don’t mess with

Bro’s affairs.

His patience with his brash cousin had worn thin.

“You! I’m your sister! Hannah retorted, her eyes narrowing further at Whitney, whom she saw as

nothing more

than a seductress.

Elaine broke the tense silence, guiding Whitney to sit beside Ludwik, her voice gentle. “The little spat

with Hannah was just a misunderstanding. Let’s not get worked up, everyone. Whitney, come sit by Bro

and patch things up!”

Her mediator’s tone seemed genuine, and Ludwik looked her way, pleased.

His eyes settled on Whitney.

Whitney glanced at Elaine, shrugged off her hand, and coldly declined the seat next to the man, “Why

so eager, Elaine?”

Ludwik’s expression darkened at her rebuff.

Even Nolan felt the awkward tension.

Elaine was at a loss, “I’m sorry, Whitney. I thought after all this time, you might have forgiven him.”

Her words, meant to smooth things over, only served to make Ludwik look worse. His eyes turned

frosty.

Hannah could not hold back her contempt, “Elaine, why bother being nice to her? She’s full of herself,

totally clueless about her place!”

Ludwik did not counter Hannah’s remark. His expression remained inscrutable, his presence chilling

the room.

Whitney remained calm, casting a side glance at Elaine, who appeared downtrodden with eyes that hid

her true feelings. Whitney understood–her earlier rejection of Elaine’s gesture was a test. The reaction

had provoked L, riled up Hannah, and played right into Elaine’s hands.

Whitney’s lips curled into a faint smirk as she heard L’s low command, “Elaine, sit down!”

Elaine obediently nodded, “Bro, it’s natural for Whitney to be upset.”

“Does she really think she’s all that?” Hannah pushed past Whitney with disdain.

Ludwik’s frown deepened as he caught Whitney’s eye. His inscrutable gaze was hard to read, and he

said

nothing more.

Pushed aside, Whitney watched as Hannah positioned herself before L, her gaze filled with admiration

and scorn, “Big Bro, I can’t understand how you ever fell for such a woman. No family background, a

tarnished reputation… Her child isn’t worthy of being yours. Thankfully, the agreement is almost up,

and soon you’ll be single again…”

As Hannah’s humiliation of Whitney continued, Ludwik remained indifferent and cold.

Taking a bold step, Hannah sat down beside Ludwik.

Ludwik frowned, ready to dismiss the irritating woman, but his eyes caught Whitney watching them.

He held back, his expression stoic.

Seeing him not push her away, Hannah’s heart fluttered with triumph, her proud glance at Whitney

rippling with satisfaction

“Big Bro…” Hannah purred with a seductive whine. “After your divorce, could you give the Fullers a

thought? My cousin, Nolan, is like a brother to you. We’re practically family. I know marrying you would

be reaching for the stars, but I’m younger and fresher than Whitney, not some second–hand rose!”

She took a dig at Whitney, her daring little hand creeping towards the man’s shirt, inching ever so close

to his chiseled chest. The warmth of his muscles radiated through the fabric, turning Hannah’s cheeks

a rosy shade of embarrassment.

Nolan nearly choked on his drink, itching to kick this foolish girl out!

Ludwik’s thick brows furrowed, his eyes squinting slightly.

But Hannah mistook his reaction for contemplation and snuggled even closer.

Elaine watched her brazen display with patience, waiting for this very moment. She shot a quick glance

at Whitney.

“Go on, storm off, let tonight be the end of it all!” She thought.

Ludwik’s gaze also settled on Whitney.

The petite woman’s face was a mask of frosty composure until, with a sudden burst of energy, she

strode over, grabbed a glass of water from the table, and splashed it onto Hannah’s coquettish face.

The ice cubes from the glass hit Hannah with a tremble, “Ah, Whitney, you soaked me again! Are you

out of your mind?”

“I think Hannah’s had one too many,” Whitney said icily, eyes narrowed. “Just helping you sober up so

you don’t go naked in public and end up in the station.”

Whitney whipped out her phone and dialed 911, reporting for real, “Officer, there’s a slut here trying to

seduce my husband, and I’m pregnant, please.” Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

In a flash, Hannah snatched the phone, pointing at Whitney, “You’re out of your mind, a total lunatic!”

“That’s still better than being a slut, trying to snag someone else’s husband.”

“What do you mean, your husband? You just got knocked up by Big Bro, and that’s it. With your looks,

he would never want you,” Hannah sneered, looping her arm through the man’s.

Whitney yanked her off, plopped down beside Ludwik, and pinched his jaw fiercely, not caring for his

expression. She raised an eyebrow in mockery, “My looks? My looks made your dear Big Bro insatiable

that night. And you? You don’t even stand a chance at carrying his child. How pitiful, Hannah.”

“You!” Hannah’s face turned beet red with rage.