Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 441

"Let go, I can handle this myself," she said icily.

"I know you're skilled in first aid," the man glanced at her coolly. "But bandaging your left hand with your right? What are you trying to prove?"

Ludwik, imposing as ever, leaned down and blew on her wound, an entirely subconscious gesture.

Whitney stiffened, her slender palm curling into a fist. She glanced at him, quickly diverting her gaze and thought sarcastically, Whitney, don't be so naive. All these tender gestures, he's surely done the same with Florence, or perhaps Elaine. He's nothing but a heartbreaker.

Even though he had helped her tonight, she couldn't help but suspect Florence's involvement in the ordeal.

Her gaze cooled, drifting off as she suddenly thought of Thea.

She hesitated. "Ludwik, do you know much about Mrs. Lippert?"

His sharp gaze flicked to her. "Why bring her up?"

Whitney bit her tongue, deciding it wasn't her place to pry into the affairs of the Lippert family.

But she had seen something, and if Thea recognized her, Whitney had a nagging feeling that things could turn sour...

"What's on your mind? Why start to say something and then stop?" Ludwik pressed, his gaze intense.

"It's nothing," Whitney clammed up.

Her hot-and-cold demeanor left him exasperated, ultimately blaming himself. Ludwik's mood turned frosty. Could he really expect her to return to her former warmth towards him when they were alone?

He finished bandaging her wound and let go of her.

Whitney moved to sit far from him, gazing out the window at the scenery.

Ludwik also looked outside. The Lippert Resort was vast and beautiful, but he felt nothing for it. His heart remained in Everwood Villa Estate, where they had spent their most beautiful days together three years ago, during the first few months of her pregnancy. Did she feel the same?

He watched her deeply for a moment before pulling himself back to reality.

"You have two more minutes to look. The plane will stop at the Lippert family's front gate. I'll head down first. After tonight, you'd do well to stay away from the men of Emperor City! Jumping from one disaster to another, I won't be there to save you next time." "Hmph," she scoffed silently, then froze as she saw him stand up, strap on a parachute, and jump from the plane mid-flight!

Her face paled as she watched his figure descend.

This man... she had no idea he was so reckless back in Banyan City.

Daring to skydive, something she would never have the courage to do.

She gripped her seat tightly until the plane landed on the lawn in front of the gate. Whitney took a deep breath and stepped down, returning to the banquet hall.

Inside, Hudson looked worried, and Jason's expression was grim.

Holly turned and saw the "despicable woman" had returned. She rushed over, her voice laced with panic, "Whitney! Where have you been without a word? We tried calling you, we've been worried sick all night!"

Seeing Whitney unharmed, she could only question where she had been, subtly blaming her for the worry she caused.

Sure enough, Jason frowned. The Lippert family's servants had been dispatched to replace Whitney, to their displeasure.

"Big sister, I was so worried about you, but... why are you wearing different clothes?" Florence approached anxiously, mentioning it offhandedly.

Everyone's gaze suddenly turned to Whitney-

"You changed clothes! What were you up to? Don't you know we've all been looking for you, and how did you manage to come from outside the gate?"

Sienna quickly chimed in, taking delight in Whitney's plight.

Whitney's face showed surprise, innocently replying, "I'm sorry, I didn't know everyone was looking for me. I just saw a helicopter in the estate and got curious, so I took a ride. The crew even offered a skydive, and I accidentally landed in the water, hence the change of clothes..." Holly's eyes darkened at the lie.

She quickly said with a laugh, "Jason, your estate even offers helicopter rides to your guests? The Lippert family is truly generous."

Hearing this, Jason's brow furrowed and he called the butler, "The helicopter isn't for public use. Check on this."

After a phone call, the butler relayed, "It seems Ludwik allowed it. With the banquet tonight, many guests saw the helicopter and wanted a ride. There are still guests on the lawn waiting their turn!"

In Brew Hill, where the nobles gather, only the Lippert family had a helipad.

Holly couldn't replace any faults now. Florence clenched her fists upon hearing Ludwik's name, almost certain he had helped Whitney.

The helicopter crew then entered, explaining, "Sir, Whitney's first skydive ended in the swimming pool. Servants helped her out and changed her clothes."

The Lippert family often hosted banquets and kept spare dresses for female guests just in case.

Everything seemed reasonable. Jason glanced at Whitney disapprovingly, "Glad you're found."

"Look at you, causing everyone to fuss over you all night. Such a country bumpkin, never even been on a helicopter before," Sienna mocked publicly.

Whitney played along with a rural naivety, "Yeah, I've never seen a helicopter before, so I took a longer ride. I guess that's why you couldn't replace me in the sky."

Ludwik passed by the hall, catching a glimpse of her feigned innocence, amused at her act. Back in Banyan City, it wasn't as if he lacked helicopters. A smirk played on his lips.

"Alright then." Hudson, unable to bear the tension, stood to apologize, "My daughter's curiosity caused some trouble for Jason tonight. We'll have a talk and leave now." The group then headed back to the Sheldon family estate.

As the car pulled up to the house, Sienna was still going on, "Uncle, you saw her, right? Please, don't bring her to another party. We can't afford that kind of embarrassment." Whitney didn't even dignify that with a response.

But as they stepped into the living room, Whitney suddenly turned to Hudson and said, "Dad, something happened tonight. I wasn't just out for a helicopter ride."

"What?" Hudson frowned deeply. "What happened?"

Holly and Florence paused mid-step, with Holly's mind racing and a sense of dread building up as she glared coldly at Whitney.

Spilling the beans rapidly, Whitney said, "Dad, after dinner, a servant from the Lippert family mentioned that Camilla wanted to see me. But instead, she took me to Justin's mansion. I was pushed into the swimming pool, and then Justin showed up... Thankfully, nothing happened between us."

Hudson's heart skipped a beat.

Seizing the moment, Sienna jumped in with, "You say nothing happened? Ha! As if we'd believe that. You ended up at Justin's mansion! Everyone knows he's bad news, has a thing for women like you, who've had kids. He must have slept with you!" Hudson's frown deepened. Justin was notorious, a real scoundrel, and his association with Whitney could spell trouble...

"I'm okay, really," Whitney insisted, biting her lip. "The moment I got there, I saw Justin in bed with another man. And in less than a minute, Holly stormed in with Joanne and Heidi looking for me! When they couldn't replace me at Justin's, you assumed I was missing, and she informed Jason, which set the whole Lippert family on a search for me."

Whitney's look towards Holly carried a mix of amusement and challenge. Hudson was no fool. Putting two and two together, his gaze towards Holly turned icy.