Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 497

Ludwik's gaze was stiff, almost accusatory. "Who told you all of this?"

"Don't worry about that. Just answer me."

Her stare was unyielding and fierce, those hazel eyes swirling with a depth that seemed to drown him. It gave him the illusion that speaking the truth might lead to her forgiveness, to a reconciliation of sorts.

His throat worked, voice hoarse, as he leaned in closer to her. "Whitney, would it have made any difference? If things were different between us, could there have been a chance for us after all this is over?" Whitney was momentarily speechless, caught in the earnestness of his deep-set eyes. Her heart fluttered into chaos, yet the cold, lingering pain was hard to ignore.

She managed a wry smile. "I want to know the truth because I believe I have the right to. It has nothing to do with you. I never considered getting back together with you-not in a million years!" The hope in his eyes vanished. Her cold rejection silenced any attempts at probing further. His mood chilled to the bone.

He too forced a smile, closing off his heart. "If that's how it is, then my reasons don't matter. Why I was with Florence is none of your business, and you shouldn't meddle in my mother's recovery." He chose silence over disclosure.

Whitney frowned inwardly. Was it as Parker had speculated, that his reasons involved her, hence his silence?

She decided she needed to visit Banyan City.

After bandaging him, Whitney packed away the medical kit and returned it to the room. By the time she came out, Ludwik had already left without a word. Was there some emergency?

The couch was empty, the lingering scent of his blood unique, heavy on her heart. Remembering he hadn't once asked about Sammy made her heart squeeze with sorrow. Finally, she couldn't resist calling Parker. Meanwhile, Ludwik had left to meet Florence after receiving a message from her, insisting on discussing his mother's situation in detail.

Sitting in his car, Ludwik's expression was icy as he ordered Parker, "Catch that Lewis guy immediately. Is he the same Drew Lewis that's been hanging around Florence? A little pressure, and he'll talk."

Parker seemed relieved. "You believe Whitney and my evidence, even if we haven't found Sammy with the Sheldons. You're starting to doubt Florence."

Of course, Ludwik trusted Whitney, though he didn't say it outright. He instructed Felix to drive him to see Florence.

Shortly after, Parker received Whitney's call.

She was distraught. "Did you tell him about Sammy? He didn't mention Sammy at all! He doesn't trust us, doesn't care about Sammy!"

Parker sighed. "Just because Ludwik didn't speak of it doesn't mean he's not thinking about it. How could he not care about his son? Whitney, you need to have some faith in him. He's not confronting Florence outright for a reason. She just asked to meet him; he's going now. After Sammy's incident today, Ludwik won't stay with her. If Florence is involved in Sammy's kidnapping, Ludwik won't let her off!"

Could this man truly not disappoint her again? Whitney felt anxious and lost. Was it because of Natalie's illness?

-

Late at night, at the hotel...

Before meeting Florence, Parker contacted Ludwik.

"Ludwik! I found that Lewis guy, but we're too late-he's dead! We can't get anything out of him now."

Ludwik's eyes narrowed. "When did he die?"

"I had a coroner check the body, around four in the afternoon," Parker said with a hint of sarcasm. "That was when Whitney was at the Sheldons' looking for Sammy. Quick, isn't it? Suspicious?"

Ludwik's eyes darkened. "Collect Lewis's fingerprints. There were adult fingerprints found on a getaway car; I've asked the police to run them. If Lewis's prints match..."

Parker's voice tightened. "Funny thing. Lewis's fingers were all smashed; we can't get prints from the body."

Ludwik fell silent, a chill passing through him.

Parker continued. "It's almost certain, Lewis was involved in putting Sammy into that car. Why else destroy his fingers? His sudden death means we can't confirm if Florence had a Drew around her, or if this guy was him." "Parker, starting now, investigate Florence, everyone around her. Find any trace of this Drew."

Ludwik felt he needed to reevaluate Florence entirely if Lewis's death was her doing.

Ding-dong. At the end of the hall, the suite door opened, and Florence stood there, frail but smiling. "Ludwik, you're here. Come in."

Ludwik, pushed in his wheelchair by Felix, fixed his gaze on her. His eyes were calm, like a still ocean hiding turbulent depths.

Florence felt overwhelmed by his icy demeanor, her body tingling under his gaze. Attempting to maintain composure, she edged closer. "Ludwik, how have you been? I've been so worried."

Ludwik cut her off. "Skip the pleasantries. You didn't call me here for small talk."

Seeing his patience completely eroded, his former tenderness and gentlemanliness towards her gone, Florence clenched her teeth, her eyes reddening as she coughed softly. "Ludwik, you promised after the blood transfusion for your mother, we'd discuss our issues. I gave 500cc, and your mother woke up safely. Today I spoke with Dr. Ford; he mentioned Natalie's surgery is being moved up to next month. He advised me to take care of myself. Is that true?"

Ludwik's expression was icy, his gaze piercing. "So, you have a new demand? A new threat?"

His bluntness didn't leave any room for escape!

Florence felt a lump in her throat, unable to maintain her facade of tenderness any longer. A chill lingered in her eyes, tears welling up as her voice broke. "I'm just fighting for my own feelings, I love you! Ludwik! Even though I've only just found out about your past with my sister, I don't want to give up on you. You're my boyfriend, but I've never felt your care or love. It's clear to me now, you've only seen me as a convenience. If I can't expect initiative from you, then I'll take the lead. Let's renegotiate our agreement. In a month, I can donate my bone marrow to Natalie. But I have two conditions. First: I want you to announce our engagement publicly within a week. Second: After the bone marrow donation, I want to have your child!"

Ludwik's gaze turned frosty, his pupils shifting to a shade of red. Florence, intimidated by his coldness, spoke firmly. "I know wanting your child might sound crazy, but seeing my sister with your child... I'm envious. I've fallen for you, Ludwik. I'll be gone in two years, and I want to leave behind a piece of myself."