Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 276

Orion: "Uh, sorry, I ran into my ex. Looks like I've got some mess to sort out. Whitney, can you just grab a cab or something?" Silence. What a jerk.

Whitney massaged her temples, speechless. Why on earth did Yael fall for a guy like Orion? He was nothing but a spoiled rich brat.

It gave her a headache just thinking about it. Her cousin was such a pure and simple girl, barely in her twenties. If Whitney hadn't stumbled upon a candid photo of Orion in Yael's room, she would've never guessed her quiet cousin had a crush on him!

She later found out from Torin that Orion had initially approached Yael just to use her uncle to his advantage. The poor girl must have been emotionally scammed! And Orion was the worst kind of player, not to mention immature. Back in the day, he'd done all sorts of dirty tricks to get at Ludwik.

Whitney didn't want Yael getting tangled up with someone like Orion...

Sighing, Whitney stood up, leaning against the hotel wall for support as she made her way outside. The place was secluded and posh, with only a road leading down the hill. Where was she supposed to replace a cab? Orion was such a lousy friend. A total disgrace.

Cursing under her breath, Whitney had only walked a few meters when a burning sensation in her stomach made her double over in pain near a tree. She tried to throw up but couldn't, and finally just sat down.

The early spring night air was chilly, and she was underdressed. Noticing she was in a parking lot full of fancy cars, she realized this meant there were probably plenty of men around.

Quickly, she took out her phone, thinking of calling someone for a ride. Hesitating over Bryce Lutz's contact, her phone suddenly slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. As she bent down to pick it up, a voice came, "Hey, lady, all by yourself here?"

Just as Whitney was about to thank the man who picked it up, he didn't hand it back, instead ogling her legs with a lecherous gaze. He held the phone back, pretending to be concerned, "You drunk? Let me help you to my car, and I'll drive you home, okay?" Whitney's gaze turned icy as she stood up, her head throbbing, "Buzz off. Go replace someone else to prey on."

"Give me my phone back."

The man was taken aback, not expecting such a fiery response.

"Hey, what's with the attitude? A drunk chick wandering around at night ain't exactly a good girl. Come with me, I'll show you a good time."

"To hell with that."

Whitney delivered a swift kick. Her kick, accentuated by her long, bare leg, landed squarely on the man. He yelped, and Whitney quickly snatched her phone back and turned to run-

"Ah!" Her hair was grabbed from behind.

"You're dead, you bitch," the man snarled, his face twisted in fury as he tried to drag Whitney towards his car.

Suddenly, the air around them seemed to drop in temperature.

"Let her go!"

With a deep, icy command, the man was kicked into the front of his car before he even realized what happened.

"Who the hell are you?" he spat out blood, shocked and trying to get up.

"Scram!!"

Ludwik stood firm, his tall figure imposing, his gaze like a blade on the man sprawled on the ground.

Whitney, struggling to keep her consciousness, tried to form a smile, about to ask why Ludwik hadn't left yet when his phone rang.

He glanced at Whitney briefly before answering in a softer tone, "Hello?"

"Ludwik, it's past eight. Is the dinner over? When are you coming back? I've made you your favorite hangover soup."

"That's something the staff can handle."

"But it's not the same as when I make it. Plus, I was hoping you could help with my facial swelling. Is that okay?" "I'll be there soon."

Whitney wasn't deaf; she recognized the tender voice on the other end. A bitter smile played on her lips.

Ludwik hung up, not sparing Whitney another glance as he coldly walked past her. So, it was his car parked nearby.

Yet, as he was about to leave, he stopped, suddenly yanking her skirt up in a swift, forceful motion, leaving her stunned. Looking down at her, he sneered, "Shameless!"

As his car drove away, leaving her in a cloud of cold exhaust, Whitney muttered, "Like it's any of your business, you nosy man."

She stuck her tongue out at the departing car and even aimed a kick at the air. Through the rearview mirror, Ludwik caught a glimpse of her defiant gesture, her tongue sticking out, so unlike the affectionate gestures she used to shower him with three years ago. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, the memory unwelcome.

After a moment of hesitation at a traffic light, Ludwik lit a cigarette, his gaze growing colder with each puff. The smoke seemed to only add to his irritation, prompting him to toss the cigarette away.

The light turned green, but the Bentley remained stationary as Ludwik's thoughts lingered on Whitney's drunken figure sprawled on the ground, her red dress fluttering provocatively. And that man hadn't driven away; he could still be lurking nearby.

Two minutes later, Ludwik made a sharp U-turn. He convinced himself he was just going back to see what foolish state she'd gotten herself into now.

-

Whitney was sure she had her phone just moments ago. Now, it was nowhere to be found.

She felt utterly helpless, barely able to stand, let alone walk back to the hotel.

Just as she was wondering what to do next, the chill in the air returned. Someone grabbed her arm forcefully.

Thinking it was the lecherous man returning, Whitney panicked, "I won't let you take advantage of me. I won't sleep with you. I'm calling the police!"

Ludwik, his face dark with anger, pulled her towards him, his voice rough, "Who said anything about sleeping with you?"

"Take a good look at yourself, will you?"

His face twisted in disdain, yet his deep gaze couldn't help but sweep over her cheeks, flushed a bright red from too much drinking, her eyes all dewy and captivating. Just staring at him, utterly confused. "What are you staring at? Don't tell me you don't recognize me?" he snapped, a grimace on his lips.

"You? Who are you?" Whitney's head swayed from side to side as he pulled on her, the feeling in her stomach growing more intense, making her gag repeatedly.

Ludwik stiffened, wishing he could just dunk her in a bucket of cold water to sober her up.

Watching her gag, he gritted his teeth and warned, "Don't you dare throw up. If you do, I swear I'll toss you into a ditch..."

But before he could finish his sentence.

"Ugh-" She let out a long, drawn-out sound.