Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 439

Whitney was at her wit's end, her patience worn thin, barely holding onto her composure.

Outside the grand mansion, a ruckus erupted, signaling an unwelcome interruption. Whitney guessed it must be Holly, unable to replace her and now searching the vast grounds in desperation. Soon, they'd be upon her...

"I am truly a servant of Camilla," the maid claimed with a knowing smile, her tone laced with depth, "Camilla feels guilty that someone's been deceiving you under her name. She sent me to help you escape. Do you want to get caught?" Whitney was taken aback. How much did Camilla know?

Her hands trembled, clutching the torn fabric of her dress.

She couldn't let herself be found by the Lippert family, especially not Holly, in this state.

With no real choice, and facing the same outcome whether she acted or not, Whitney nodded skeptically and followed the elderly servant down the path.

The labyrinth of identical, unlit paths in the mansion's garden made her wonder if Justin had them designed specifically for nefarious purposes.

Muttering curses under her breath, Whitney finally emerged from the mansion's grasp, replaceing herself on a street lined with similar-looking mansions.

"Where do you need to go, miss?" the servant inquired, offering further assistance. "I can take you somewhere safe."

Whitney wanted to go to Ludwik's mansion but couldn't disclose that, unsure if the servant truly was Camilla's and reluctant to expose her acquaintance with Ludwik. "I'll manage on my own. Thank you," Whitney replied.

The servant left with a deep nod, turning off her lantern and disappearing into the night.

Standing at a crossroads, Whitney cursed her luck. The arrangement of the mansions wasn't as regular as Parker had described, making it impossible to locate Ludwik's place. Had Ludwik ignored her plight, too absorbed with Florence to care about her safety?

The sting of betrayal was palpable as Whitney navigated the unfamiliar territory, her desperation growing with every passing moment.

Suddenly, lights and voices approached, with Joanne's loud demands to replace Whitney echoing through the night. The entire household was now aware of her disappearance.

Fearing discovery, Whitney dashed into a nearby mansion, only to stumble upon a scandalous scene through a crack in the door: Thea, in a compromising position, but not with her husband Jason... Frozen in shock, Whitney's presence was betrayed by a clumsy noise, drawing Thea's immediate attention.

Their eyes met through the door crack, a silent confrontation in the charged air.

Whitney's survival instincts kicked in, and she fled into the night, leaving Thea to deal with the aftermath.

Meanwhile, Ludwik entered his seldom-used mansion, clueless of the drama unfolding. As he turned on the light, he was greeted by the sight of Whitney, seeking refuge in his closet.

Her accusations of his silence, her heart pounding from the night's ordeals, filled the room with tension.

Despite their recent animosities, Ludwik couldn't replace it in him to stay angry with Whitney, his heart softening at her vulnerable state.

Amidst accusations and misunderstandings, Whitney demanded privacy to change, desperate to escape the tattered remnants of her evening.

Ludwik, caught between irritation and concern, couldn't help but tease her, highlighting the absurdity of their situation.

Yet, beneath the banter, a mutual need for understanding and protection simmered, hinting at a complex bond between them, forged in the shadow of the Lippert family's sprawling estate. Her dress was torn, her appearance a mess, and drenched from head to toe, no one would believe her innocence. Regardless of whether Justin had his way with her or not, Holly had won this round. "Do you want my help or not?"

The man leaned against the wall casually lighting a cigarette, his tone leisurely, almost as if he found the situation amusing. "With that attitude, do you really expect my help?"

Whitney found herself speechless under the shelter of his roof, a rare occurrence.

She twisted his shirt in her hands, imagining it was him she was mangling.

Biting back her frustration, Whitney managed to restrain herself. "Sorry, I guess I just can't muster a good attitude in front of a jerk!"

The unsaid message was clear: help or don't, it's your call.

"First, tell me what exactly did Justin do to you?" Ludwik exhaled a smoke ring before suddenly turning to face her, his gaze cold and fierce.

Whitney was startled by his look, a reminder of the past. He had always been possessive, intolerant of anyone touching what he considered his, even if she was a woman he no longer wanted. She blinked, instinctively covering her chest, "Nothing... he didn't do anything, Parker saved me, just in time."

Suddenly, he was in front of her, his towering presence overwhelming. He stared down at her defensive posture, his icy gaze scanning her chest before grabbing her chin. "Did he touch you here?"