Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 420

In that moment, the tension in the air was almost palpable, pressing down like a heavy weight.

Sienna looked up at Ludwik's striking features, her eyes widening in fear. "Why are you taking her side? She's just a bastard."

"I'm a bastard too," he replied, his lips curling into a half-smile.

His gaze was icy, and he lounged in his chair with an air of casual arrogance. Sienna's heart sank. It felt like Ludwik was defending Whitney, which felt like a slap in her face.

The grandmother spoke up, her tone displeased, "Sienna, stop harping on about her being a bastard. Ludwik doesn't appreciate it."

"Indeed, I don't. Let's not hear that again," he said, his casual demand cutting through the air.

The grandmother mistook his irritation as a dislike of being reminded of his own illegitimacy. "Apologize this instant."

Sienna, pale-faced, quickly said, "I didn't mean any offense, Ludwik. It won't happen again."

"Apologize to the person you should be apologizing to," his gaze drifted away from Whitney, his expression unreadable.

Florence, however, knew exactly why he was angry. On the surface, she played the peacemaker, standing up to apologize to Whitney, "Sis, Sienna just speaks without thinking. Please don't be mad at her."

Ludwik's expression darkened, and the grandmother stiffened, both turning their attention to Whitney. "Florence is apologizing on Sienna's behalf. She always thinks of others first. As their sister, don't make this ugly."

As if rejecting the apology meant she was the unreasonable one.

Whitney's response was veiled in sweetness, "My dear sister is too kind, apologizing for Sienna's mistake. It makes me seem petty if I don't accept, doesn't it? Being called a bastard isn't a big deal. I don't care about titles as much as Ludwik does. What matters is living truthfully, not how many layers of pretense we wrap ourselves in."

Her comment was a subtle jab at everyone present, including Ludwik. His gaze hardened, feeling personally attacked even though he was trying to protect her feelings. Was she really this angry with him? He thought, recalling their past conflicts and the compromises he had made, which led him to Florence.

Whitney, sharp as thorns, always knew how to hurt him the most. He looked away, his heart sinking.

Florence coughed, drawing attention to herself, sensing Whitney's underlying message.

Sienna, moved by Florence's gesture, protested, "Why do you always defend her?"

"Shh, let's just keep the peace," Florence sighed, playing the victim.

The grandmother sympathized, "Whitney, don't be so sarcastic. Florence is fragile."

"I'm sorry, grandma. Like my sister said, I speak without thinking. Please don't be mad," Whitney replied, her tone innocent yet mocking.

The grandmother was speechless, caught in Whitney's clever retort.

"Let's eat, everyone," Holly called out, trying to ease the tension.

Whitney walked away, leaving the others to stew in their discomfort.

"Incredible, how she can be so smug and sharp-tongued," Sienna complained to the grandmother.

Whitney smirked to herself. Why should she aim to please them? Her priority was winning over Hudson.

As she approached the dinner table, Ludwik caught her eye, a cold smile on his lips. She was more than just sharp-tongued; she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Dad, you're here," she greeted Hudson warmly as he ushered her to the most prestigious seat at the table, displacing Holly.

The grandmother objected, but Hudson dismissed the formalities, "Let's not fuss over seating arrangements."

Whitney played coy, "Oh, did I sit in the wrong spot? I'm not familiar with your customs. But if we're being formal, shouldn't Ludwik sit here?"

Ludwik gave her a knowing look; she was clever, indeed.

Hudson laughed, ruffling Whitney's hair, "That's my point. Let's just enjoy our meal."

Holly, feeling sidelined, reluctantly took another seat.

Florence offered her spot to her mother, attempting to rearrange the seating, but Ludwik declined, preferring to keep the peace.

In this family drama, alliances shifted with every meal, and Whitney navigated the treacherous waters with a mix of wit and defiance.

"Florence is always so thoughtful, not like some people, always scrambling for the best seat," Sienna said with a sharp edge, casting a disdainful glance at Whitney.

Whitney seemed not to hear, her gaze lifting only to meet a plate of zucchini nearby. She couldn't stand zucchini; not only did she avoid eating it, but even seeing it made her lose her appetite.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Then, a large, cool hand reached over, taking the plate of zucchini away.

Whitney looked up, catching sight of the man's icy fingers and the cuff of his crisp white shirt.

Her mind sluggishly brought up a memory of him bringing his son to her apartment. They had gone grocery shopping together, and he had picked out zucchini. Despite her efforts to cook it, she hadn't tasted a single bite. Danny didn't know, and had even offered her some, nearly making her gag.

Was this his way of remembering her severe allergy to zucchini, moving it away for her sake?

Tears pricked the corners of Whitney's eyes, her heart a mix of pain and resentment...

Suddenly, Florence's sweet laughter broke through, "Ludwik, how did you remember I love zucchini?"