Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 468

At the hotel.

Ludwik had called the best pulmonologist from Emperor City ahead of time. Whitney also knew how to treat illnesses, but she wasn't as quick as someone specialized in trauma care.

Watching Ludwik hold his son in his arms for the doctor to examine his lungs, then starting an IV for Danny, Whitney stood aside without interfering.

Ludwik glanced at the woman under the soft lighting. His day had been hectic, without a moment's rest, and he was very thirsty. "Could you get me a glass of water, please?" His voice was hoarse.

Whitney didn't move, her reply dripping with sarcasm, "That sounds like a job for your girlfriend, Mr. Lippert."

His face darkened with a mix of anger and hurt. Turning to his son, he redirected his frustration, "Danny, be honest with me, why did you suddenly run off to the Sheldons'? Grandma said you were over at their place, sneaking around."

Danny, feeling a bit guilty, retorted defiantly, "I didn't trust your new girlfriend, so I went to check her out, okay!"

Ludwik's forehead twitched. Had he managed to offend both mother and son? Both regarded him with nothing but coldness. Rubbing his temples, he looked up at Whitney, "What happened at the Sheldons"?"

Whitney turned her gaze to her son, "You tell him."

Facing his mom, Danny's attitude softened, "Alright." Then, turning back to Ludwik with a scowl, "It was that Molly, egged on by Mrs. Sheldon, who came to the Sheldons' to target me. She even pushed me into the pond. She thinks she can win because she's taller and stronger. Ha, I've already learned some self-defense from Sammy. I can take care of myself!"

"Mrs. Sheldon?" Ludwik frowned. Last time, his grandmother had mentioned that the incident with Whitney was instigated by Mrs. Sheldon.

Finally, Whitney looked at Ludwik, her voice laced with mockery, "You don't believe it? How would Molly, a little girl, suddenly show up at the Sheldons'? Without adults getting involved, could two kids have caused such a near-tragic incident?" Ludwik wasn't naive; his impression of Mrs. Sheldon had already soured. "Why would Mrs. Sheldon target Danny?"

Whitney knew better than to directly accuse Florence. Ludwik might not believe it. She chuckled lightly, "Two possibilities. One, for the sake of Florence, she can't stand you having a son. Two, Mrs. Sheldon knows Danny is my child, meaning, she knows about our past marriage."

Ludwik's eyes narrowed, his gaze growing colder. Whitney seized the moment. "But there's a strange part. How did Mrs. Sheldon know about the bad blood between Molly and Danny? And how did she know Danny can't swim? Danny has only been in Emperor City for a few days, and he only revealed his fear of water during his visit to the Lipperts'. How could Mrs. Sheldon know about it? Someone must have told her."

She was implying something. Ludwik was puzzled by this as well, suddenly remembering that the night Danny went to the Lipperts', Florence was the only Sheldon who had seen Danny. At that moment, Danny and Molly had been arguing, and Molly had stormed off first. Could Florence have encountered Molly?

His thoughts were in turmoil, his lips pressed tightly together. Whitney watched his troubled expression, raising an eyebrow, "What does Florence think of Danny? I doubt any stepmother would like her stepson."

Her cold tone made Ludwik's gaze darken. He instinctively tried to clarify, "You misunderstand, Florence and I..." He wanted to say they would never end up together, it was just for two years. But remembering Florence's request for secrecy, and his mother's health, he stopped himself.

Whitney, sensing he was about to explain, felt a flicker of hope, but as he shifted the conversation, that light died, leaving her colder than before. "There's no need to investigate. I already have my answer. But you might not believe it. Everything's fine here, why don't you go back to your other guest?"

Her cold demeanor pained him. He was looking after Florence for a reason-she held his mother's life in her hands. But all Whitney saw was a misunderstanding. And he couldn't clarify.

The man's eyes darkened with a mix of emotions. Perhaps it was his silence that made Danny sense something, feeling his father's silhouette to be particularly lonesome. Danny coughed lightly, "Can you two stop arguing? I'm hungry. Can both of you go cook something?" Whitney stiffened, immediately turning to her son, "Danny, I'll make you something to eat right now."

Danny barked at Ludwik, "You too! Why should my mom do all the work?"

Ludwik felt a mix of frustration and willingness as he stood up, rolling up his crisp shirt sleeves, "What would you like?"

"Whatever mom wants to eat, that's what I'll have." Danny deliberately gave them an opportunity to talk.

But Whitney wasn't receptive, turning to her son, "You pick what he cooks, then I'll go do my own thing."

Danny, caught off guard, then pretended to be pitiful, slumping on the couch, "Fine, I get it. Without Sammy here, I can't command you two. I'm not the cherished baby in your hearts. No one listens to me. I'm just an unloved child!" Whitney's face darkened, and she stood up, heading toward the kitchen, "What do you actually want to eat?"

"Danny wants us to figure it out together! Whatever we make, he'll love," Danny commanded her.

Whitney sighed, defeated, but seeing her son hooked up to IVs, weak and frail-it was a sight that filled her with dread. His health had always been a bit of a concern. Scared out of her mind, she obediently made her way to the kitchen.

Watching this woman, it was clear she was completely under her son's spell. Ludwik's charm had long stopped working on her, but at least she showed a hint of a smile at his attempts. Following her into the kitchen, Ludwik's tall frame seemed too large for the cramped hotel kitchen space. With Whitney standing at the counter, there was hardly any room for him.

Ludwik quietly shut the glass door behind them. Whitney, hearing the sound, turned around sharply, her eyes cold and wary. "Why are you closing the door?"

The incident in the Sheldons' bathroom had left a lasting impression on her. Ludwik, aware of what she was hinting at, looked at her with a deep gaze and coughed lightly, "Not much can happen in such a small space."

"..." His insinuation, which would have made Whitney blush and her heart race three years ago, now only made her feel embarrassed and annoyed. With her arms crossed, she confronted him, "Ludwik, how do you even have the nerve to flirt with me? Why are you still here, getting in the way of dinner with my son? Don't think just because Danny showed you a little kindness, you have another chance? I'm tired of your inconsistency, pretending to care about Danny, back and forth like you're two different people..."

Suddenly, he grasped her wrist tightly, his fingers icy, as if coated with frost. Ludwik's eyes were deep and cold, "Why would I pretend to care about my son? I genuinely care!"

"Oh, really? As if they mean more to you than your precious Florence?" Whitney retorted, her eyes blazing with disbelief.