Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 709

"I'm not exactly a stranger, you know. You helped Whitney a lot back in the day."

Ludwik offered a half-smile, though his visit hid ulterior motives.

When he reached out to Shane, the man was on a business trip. The news practically blew his mind. This was a red flag. Who was Sandy to him? His woman? Or... maybe the mother of his daughter? Ludwik's insights were sharp.

From this, it became clear that Sandy was someone he needed to look out for.

Given the current situation, this would benefit him in winning Shane over.

Whitney couldn't believe his audacity. "Sandy's my cousin. What's it to you?

She's already told you she doesn't know you well. Please take these things back.

She can't have bird's nest soup right now."

"And I don't even like it!"

As Whitney's kin, Sandy had every reason to detest Ludwik for his past wrongs against her sister.

Unperturbed, Ludwik suddenly turned to Whitney. "I didn't just bring her food. I also got you some spicy buffalo wings and a cheesy lobster bake."

"...Spicy buffalo wings."

Whitney was at a loss for words. Was this man off his rocker? After all these years, he still remembered her love for spicy food, not to mention her less obvious penchant for cheesy lobster bake.

She tried to regain her composure, keeping him at arm's length. "Thanks, but I can buy my own food. Plus, Sandy doesn't like spicy stuff. You're just upsetting her stomach."

Sandy swallowed hard. "Sis, actually, I kind of like it..."

"Zip it." Whitney shot her a warning glance.

"...." Sandy hung her head, feeling small.

"Really not eating? You used to love these." Ludwik felt the sting of rejection, his gaze shifting from the deep, drowning kind to a low, dejected one.

Why did a man need such long eyelashes, drooping like heavy curtains over his eyes? Paired with his now subdued handsome face, his features sculpted as if by divine intervention, his melancholy could stir a sense of haze in any woman, even Whitney was momentarily taken aback, feeling as if she was the one who had wronged him. But soon, she spoke without emotion, "Past is past. People change, as do their tastes.

I used to love you, too, remember? And look how that turned out."

Sandy saw Ludwik's face turn ashen.

She took a sharp breath. Whitney was ruthless, able to cut ties without looking back, but those words were harsh.

Ludwik was visibly pale.

He wouldn't lash out, would he? After all, he was once the undisputed golden boy of Harmonia Country.

But Sandy saw only Ludwik tightening his grip on the meal box, his knuckles whitening.

He remained silent, enduring.

Sandy felt a shift in the winds. Once, he had tormented her sister; now, it was Whitney's turn.

She internally cheered.

Ludwik, putting on gloves, opened the lobster bake, carefully separating the tender meat from the shell.

The aroma filled the room instantly, making Whitney and Sandy's stomachs grumble.

Whitney couldn't stand it anymore. "Ludwik, if you want to eat, can you please do it outside?"

"I'm just prepping it for you, I'll leave once I'm done."

Ludwik's voice was low, his eyes soft. "Consider it a thank-you for the heads-up this afternoon about Mr. Garcia not showing."

Whitney's face flushed. Wasn't it Sandy who had tipped him off?

How had he found out?

Biting her lip, she looked away, annoyed. "Stop chattering. You're disturbing Sandy's rest."

"Alright." Ludwik nodded obediently, then glanced up. "Ms. Turner, I wanted to ask if you remember anyone pushing you down the stairs?"

Whitney paused, realizing they had veered off-topic.

She quickly asked, "Sandy, the railing at the mall was so high. You couldn't have fallen on your own."

Sandy, puzzled, replied, "I had just bought a cake. Suddenly, a big dog chased after me. Its owner was pulling on it, and the store was crowded. I didn't see clearly who it was, but then I was pushed over the railing and fell." "Was it the dog that knocked you over? How big was it?"

"Big, like a husky, very aggressive. I was so scared I probably ran towards the railing."

Sandy's memory was foggy due to the concussion.

Ludwik narrowed his eyes, asking, "Have you made any enemies recently?"

Sandy shook her head. "At S-T Group, I was low on the ladder. Nobody paid me any mind.

Now at the Sheldon Group, I've kept a low profile.

If I've upset anyone, it'd be Sienna and Florence, maybe. Since I'm working closely with Whitney, they might be jealous..." "Florence?" Whitney frowned.

She remembered Shane mentioning Sandy's study abroad, and Florence was there too, right before Sandy lost her memory. "Ludwik, after you called the police, did they check the surveillance footage?"

"The footage from that time was destroyed."

"That sounds like something Florence would do," Whitney scoffed. "After all, she and Sandy have history..."

She stopped herself.

Ludwik stepped closer, whispering, "You think there's something between Shane and Sandy?"

Whitney looked up sharply. "You know too?"

"I suspected. Shane has a daughter."

Whitney warned, "Don't let on in front of Sandy. She doesn't know anything."

"Got it. Your wish is my command." His lips curled in a smirk.

Whitney rolled her eyes at his indulgent tone, distancing herself with a stern look.

Seeing them exchange glances, Sandy blurted out, "Are you talking about me?"

"No!"

"No."

Sandy frowned, "So, what were you guys whispering about? You can't possibly have secrets."

"Of course not. I was just telling him to leave."

Ludwik's mood, which had been lifted by the thought of sharing a little secret, quickly dimmed. He took off his gloves, his slender fingers wiping them clean, "Alright, then I won't bother you any longer. Help yourselves to the lobster if you want." Just then, another visitor appeared at the door of the hospital room.

Ludwik bumped into the newcomer, his deep eyes instantly turning frosty.

Whitney looked up, surprised, only to find Jarvis.

Jarvis, carrying a bouquet of carnations and various health supplements, walked in with a devilishly warm smile, "Yo, Ms. Valentine, long time no see. I heard your friend Ms. Turner was under the weather, just thought I'd swing by since I was in the neighborhood." "Jarvis, what are you doing here?" Whitney's face fell, "We're not exactly buddies!"

Could he be here to stir up trouble?